Keep your pets safe from disease

The Animal Anti-Cruelty League has many pets available for adoption at the moment. If these animals do not get loving homes soon, they will unfortunately have to be put down. Overcrowding is a real problem at the kennels and four dogs recently contracted Canine Parvovirus, commonly known as Parvo. This is a deadly virus that is highly contagious. It is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their faeces. Mortality rates are very high and we are lucky that all the dogs didn’t go to Doggy Heaven. It is of vital importance that dogs receive their vaccinations and inoculations to prevent these kinds of outbreaks.

Dogs that develop the disease show symptoms of the illness within three to seven days. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, fever, and diarrhoea (usually bloody). Diarrhoea and vomiting result in dehydration, and secondary infections can set in. Due to dehydration, the dog’s electrolyte balance can become critically affected. Because the normal intestinal lining is also compromised, blood and protein leak into the intestines, leading to anaemia and loss of protein, and endotoxins escape into the bloodstream, causing endotoxaemia. Dogs have a distinctive odour in the later stages of the infection. The white blood cell level falls, further weakening the dog. Any or all of these factors can lead to shock and death. If your dog has any of these symptoms, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

Now that the disease is under control at the kennels, boarders are now allowed back. Please make sure your pet is vaccinated and that you bring proof of your inoculations when you take your animals in.

There are four dogs at the kennels which were found wandering the streets. One is a white and black speckled crossbreed and another one is an adorable Jack Russell cross puppy. There is also a Daschund that was found with a blue collar on, and a Poodle cross was also picked up. If you have lost a dog, please go to the kennels and check for it. They need love and would like to go home!

Please also remember to keep your animals inside your property. However, it is illegal to have your pets on a chain. If they have to be on a chain, it must be a running chain where the animal has access to food, water and shelter. Please be especially aware of this on hot days. Do not leave water in direct sunlight, as it will evaporate. Also, warm water is not nice to drink!

Thanks this week go to Spar and Pierre Massyn – your donations are much appreciated!