Texas - Dogs dying in undetermined canine outbreak - distemper confirmed

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Dogs dying in undetermined canine outbreak

Posted: Dec 16, 2011 1:50 PM CST <NOSCRIPT orgFontSize="11px"></NOSCRIPT><!--END wnDate-->Updated: Dec 16, 2011 10:15 PM CST <NOSCRIPT orgFontSize="11px"></NOSCRIPT><!--END wnDate-->
By Cathryn Khalil

Released by the Humane Society of Northeast Texas

In response to an undetermined canine outbreak, the Humane Society of Northeast Texas has established a temporary animal shelter within the Agricultural Pavilion of the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex.
The temporary shelter at Maude Cobb Agricultural Pavilion is being staffed around the clock by Humane Society personnel and volunteers. Anyone needing to surrender an animal to the shelter at this time may bring the animals to the Agricultural Pavilion temporary shelter, located at 100 Grand Blvd.

The Humane Society established the temporary shelter after learning that nine dogs recently died from undetermined causes. One of the dogs died while at staying at the shelter; the other eight dogs died after they had been adopted or rescued.

To help contain an outbreak, the Humane Society facility located at 303 Enterprise will be closed until further notice to allow staff to disinfect the shelter. There are currently 154 dogs and 136 cats housed at the main shelter facility. Staff will continue to carefully monitor the health of all the dogs. It should be noted that cats appear not to be affected by the outbreak.

More...
http://www.kiiitv.com/story/16341640/dogs-dying-in-undetermined-canine-outbreak

 

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Re: Texas - Dogs dying in undetermined canine outbreak - distemper confirmed

Longview animal shelter will euthanize 154 dogs after outbreak

Sunday, December 18, 2011 - 10:43am

Humane Society of Northeast Texas Executive Director Christine Kerr through teary eyes confirmed Saturday that a dog adopted from the shelter died from what a local veterinarian determined was distemper.

Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal viral infection that affects a dog?s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems.
The shelter, which welcomes stray and unwanted animals from at least three counties, is closed until, at the earliest, Dec. 27. Shelter and Longview environmental health officials have set up a temporary intake facility at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex rodeo grounds on Grand Blvd.

Meanwhile, through Monday night, Kerr and her staff are euthanizing the 154 dogs who were at the shelter Friday when the outbreak was discovered.

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http://www.ketknbc.com/news/longview-animal-shelter-will-euthanize-154-dogs-after-outbreak

 

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Re: Texas - Dogs dying in undetermined canine outbreak - distemper confirmed

Dogs are euthanized after canine distemper outbreak

Posted: Dec 19, 2011 5:51 PM CST <NOSCRIPT orgFontSize="11px"></NOSCRIPT><!--END wnDate-->Updated: Dec 19, 2011 6:28 PM CST <NOSCRIPT orgFontSize="11px"></NOSCRIPT><!--END wnDate-->
By Amy Tatum

LONGVIEW, TEXAS (KYTX)154 dogs have been euthanized at a Longview shelter after a distemper outbreak. Many people have been critical of the Humane Society's decision to euthanize *all the dogs. Workers at the shelter say they had no other choice.

The dog kennels were empty this morning at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas in Gregg county. One dog, recently adopted, died of distemper. As a result all of the dogs had to be euthanized. "We've cried over it. Today I honestly have to tell you that I'm angry. Angry about what we have to do. I'm upset to see my staff that have suffered greatly receive phone calls from their home phones at 1 o'clock in the morning being called murderers and killers," says Christine Kerr with the Humane Society.

Concerned animal lover, Isabelle Sweat, says she just wants to know if there was anything anyone could have done to save the dogs that didn't show signs of the disease. "If the Humane Society is making those decisions without caring whether the dog came from an owner that had all the shots. I just want to know if those dogs could have been spared," asks Isabelle.

Christine says unfortunately, no. "We scrub. We sanitize. We do all the things we are required to by law. The fact remains that it is an airborne disease that attacks the brain and it is not survivable," says Christine.

More...
http://www.cbs19.tv/story/16356889/dogs-are-euthanized-after-canine-distemper-outbreak

 

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Re: Texas - Dogs dying in undetermined canine outbreak - distemper confirmed

ETX animal shelter reopens after distemper outbreak

Posted: Dec 27, 2011 5:30 PM CST <NOSCRIPT orgFontSize="11px"></NOSCRIPT><!--END wnDate-->Updated: Dec 27, 2011 6:48 PM CST

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) -

After closing its doors for almost two weeks because of a Distemper outbreak, the Humane Society of Northeast Texas in Longview has opened its doors again.

Christine Kerr with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas in Longview said they disinfected the place and the animals are already coming in by the dozens.

"We did deep cleaning and then some with power wash equipment with different kinds of disinfectant. We washed everything, every trash can, every chair, every wall, every piece of ceiling, every floor board, every bathroom, every kitchen, everything. We cleaned it," said Kerr.

Kerr said since the place reopened this morning, dozens of animals have already been dropped off.

"It fills up fast we had the emergency intake shelter and a lot of people before Christmas decided they didn't want their animals anymore so there are a lot of surrenders," said Kerr.

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http://www.kltv.com/story/16401133/etx-animal-shelter-reopens-after-distemper-outbreak