Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
<TABLE style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=0 borderColor=#111111 cellPadding=3 width="100%" height=379><TBODY><TR><TD height=135 vAlign=top>Hernando County
Animal Services
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Division of the Code Enforcement Department[/FONT]
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="39%">
Parvovirus Outbreak at Hernando County Animal Services
December 13, 2010
Hernando County Animal Services reported today that an outbreak of parvovirus at the animal shelter has resulted in the death of several of the Shih-Tzu dogs that were found abandoned in November. ?The staff members who have been caring for these animals for the past month are heartbroken.? stated Liana Teague, Code & Animal Services Manager.
Due to the parvo outbreak, the adoption of the Shih-Tzus is being delayed until after the New Year to allow the virus time to pass. Animal Services is being very cautious in moving forward with adoptions in order to protect the public health and safety. "To adopt the pets at this time would further this tragedy by causing heartbreak for the adopters? families and possibly spreading this highly contagious illness to other household pets. " said Ms. Teague. "Animal Services is relieved that the infection was found prior to the adoptions that were scheduled to occur this week."
After discovering the parvovirus this past weekend, staff consulted with veterinarians immediately in order to develop a plan of action. This includes vaccinating all of the dogs currently housed at the shelter, maintaining a strict cleaning regimen with bleach solution, and euthanasia of symptomatic animals. Euthanasia is recommended to relieve suffering and curtail disease transmission. Without action, healthy animals will be put at risk and the entire shelter could become contaminated.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the digestive system and the heart. Symptoms include rapid onset of fever, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, dehydration and death. Puppies are most susceptible to infection, however all dogs are at risk of infection if exposed to the virus. Clinical signs can be worsened by concurrent infection or disease in the affected animal, as is the case with the Shih-Tzu dogs. The mortality rate of parvovirus in shelters can exceed 90%.
Transmission of parvovirus occurs by contact with an infected animal or feces, either directly or through secondary contamination from clothing, hands, dishes, toys, etc. Secondary contamination can also occur by rodents or insects. It is highly recommended that all pet owners vaccinate their pets against parvovirus and other diseases as vaccination is the best method of protecting pets from disease.
Anyone who adopted a pet from Animal Services within the past 14 days should contact their veterinarian for a recommendation and should watch for the symptoms mentioned above. Animal Services will issue a media release after the holidays to provide an update on the Shih-Tzu dogs. For additional information, please call (352) 796-5062.
http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/code/animal/press_detail.asp?Key=87
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Animal Services
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Division of the Code Enforcement Department[/FONT]
</TD><TD vAlign=top width="39%">
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]19450 Oliver Street[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Brooksville, Florida 34601[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](352) 796-5062 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fax (352) 796-3746[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]EMAIL: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ac@co.hernando.fl.us[/FONT]
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>PRESS RELEASE[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Brooksville, Florida 34601[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](352) 796-5062 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fax (352) 796-3746[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]EMAIL: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ac@co.hernando.fl.us[/FONT]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parvovirus Outbreak at Hernando County Animal Services
Hernando County Animal Services reported today that an outbreak of parvovirus at the animal shelter has resulted in the death of several of the Shih-Tzu dogs that were found abandoned in November. ?The staff members who have been caring for these animals for the past month are heartbroken.? stated Liana Teague, Code & Animal Services Manager.
Due to the parvo outbreak, the adoption of the Shih-Tzus is being delayed until after the New Year to allow the virus time to pass. Animal Services is being very cautious in moving forward with adoptions in order to protect the public health and safety. "To adopt the pets at this time would further this tragedy by causing heartbreak for the adopters? families and possibly spreading this highly contagious illness to other household pets. " said Ms. Teague. "Animal Services is relieved that the infection was found prior to the adoptions that were scheduled to occur this week."
After discovering the parvovirus this past weekend, staff consulted with veterinarians immediately in order to develop a plan of action. This includes vaccinating all of the dogs currently housed at the shelter, maintaining a strict cleaning regimen with bleach solution, and euthanasia of symptomatic animals. Euthanasia is recommended to relieve suffering and curtail disease transmission. Without action, healthy animals will be put at risk and the entire shelter could become contaminated.
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the digestive system and the heart. Symptoms include rapid onset of fever, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, dehydration and death. Puppies are most susceptible to infection, however all dogs are at risk of infection if exposed to the virus. Clinical signs can be worsened by concurrent infection or disease in the affected animal, as is the case with the Shih-Tzu dogs. The mortality rate of parvovirus in shelters can exceed 90%.
Transmission of parvovirus occurs by contact with an infected animal or feces, either directly or through secondary contamination from clothing, hands, dishes, toys, etc. Secondary contamination can also occur by rodents or insects. It is highly recommended that all pet owners vaccinate their pets against parvovirus and other diseases as vaccination is the best method of protecting pets from disease.
Anyone who adopted a pet from Animal Services within the past 14 days should contact their veterinarian for a recommendation and should watch for the symptoms mentioned above. Animal Services will issue a media release after the holidays to provide an update on the Shih-Tzu dogs. For additional information, please call (352) 796-5062.
http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/code/animal/press_detail.asp?Key=87
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