Society warns public about distemper outbreak
MIDRAND – The Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) is calling on Midrand residents to look for canine distemper which has broken out in the area.
The Society for Animals in Distress urges dog owners to vaccinate their dogs against canine distemper which has recently spread in the area.
Welfare and equine manager Marizda Kruger said that cases of distemper have been prominent in Midrand, Olivenhoutbosch, Diepsloot and Tembisa.
She added that the current outbreak is worse than previous years. “Canine distemper is spread through direct contact or airborne exposure. When an infected dog or wild animal coughs, sneezes, or barks, he releases aerosol droplets into the environment, infecting nearby animals and surfaces, like food and water bowls. The virus can remain in the environment for two to three months.
“It is a very contagious and a cruel, lethal disease. Once the virus has entered the nervous system of the animal, death is inevitable. Vaccination is critical.”
Kruger said that the early warning signs include sneezing, coughing, thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose, fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, depression and/or loss of appetite.
Employee at the Society for the Animal in Distress Thabile Monyati lost her two-year-old dog Benjie from the virus on 30 September. She said, “When I was on my way home. I received a call from my son who said Benjie was shaking and twitching.”
She added that when she got home he was fine, but a bit later that evening he began to shake, his eye began to twitch and was biting his lip and tongue. No matter how much she attempted to calm him down, the symptoms persisted.
She then took him to the Society for Animals in Distress for treatment but the virus was so advanced that he was euthanised.
Monyati said that her other dog, who had not contracted the disease, noticed something was wrong and spent the evening looking for Benjie following his passing.
She concluded, “A lot of people think that their animals are always fine and taken care of. Seeing what Benjie went through I want everyone to always check on their dogs and find treatment immediately. Make sure that your dogs are vaccinated. Know the symptoms and react quickly.”
Details: For more information, go to www.animalsindistress.org.za
