Watloo SPCA warns of dog disease outbreak
Dog owners are urged to vaccinate their dogs against the serious virus.
Dog owners are urged to vaccinate their dogs, after the Waltloo SPCA reported an outbreak of so-called “canine distemper” disease on Friday.
Canine distemper is a serious airborne virus that spreads rapidly, and there is no cure.
In a statement on their official Facebook page, the animal welfare organisation said they were battling a full-on outbreak of the disease.
“Symptoms often take time to manifest and dogs may initially appear healthy, only to become sick later,” the statement said.
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“Our veterinarians and kennel personnel have been working together to ensure strict hygiene and isolation protocols were continuously followed to prevent further spread of this virus – however, the situation has become more serious in recent days.”
It was therefore decided to quarantine the branch’s kennels for at least four weeks in an attempt to fight the outbreak.
Quarantine procedures mean that normal services at the branch will be limited, and in some instances suspended.
During the quarantine period, no dog adoptions will be processed. Access to the branch’s facilities will be restricted and boarding services will be suspended while the facility’s animal hospital’s public services will be limited.
During the quarantine there will, however, be someone available at all times to accept stray and unwanted animals under strict isolation protocol, at the branch.
The branch’s inspectorate will operate as normal.
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This will give veterinarians extra capacity to direct their time and effort to the animals affected by the outbreak, the organisation said.
“The well-being of all animals in our care must take priority at all times. We are doing everything we can to contain the threat of a full-on outbreak in our dog kennels.”
“Through continuous monitoring, testing and vaccination coupled with deep cleaning kennel blocks and common areas as well as isolation procedures, we are optimistic that a full-on outbreak can be stopped.”
Cat and other animal adoptions will be managed by appointment.
“Sadly, given the seriousness of the virus, the potential for suffering and the high infection possibility, the humane euthanasia of certain dogs cannot be ruled out.”
It said that the Centurion branch was not affected, but was being monitored closely.
The first signs of canine distemper include sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose.
Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite are also common symptoms of the virus.
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