Posted : 5/13/2008 1:43:09 PM
I just received this from Kenya's breeder. She received it from someone in Wisconsin...
Please be aware of a health alert that has affected two Humane Societies in Wisconsin. The disease started as outbreaks in Las Vegas and Miami Florida and is now in Waukesha Wisconsin. The illness is called streptococcus equi zooepidemicus and is caused by a bacteria. It can be treated by penicillin or amoxicillin if caught within the first hours of symptoms. The shelter was able to successfully treat 2 extremely ill dogs, and currently are treating all of the dogs with antibiotics as a preventative. It is unknown how illness is spread. In Waukesha, they had 7 dogs die from an extremely fast moving illness. It initially presents as kennel cough, but rapidly leads to high fevers -- 106 or 107, labored breathing and then death. From start to finish it's about 10 hours -- which is very scary. Dogs who were seemingly healthy are deathly ill and then dead by the next day. Tissue samples were sent to the state lab, necropsys was done on 2 dogs, and samples were sent to other labs throughout the US before it was diagnosed. I was informed today that kennel cough is making it's way through Chicago area boarding facilities and doggie parks. Keep an eye on your dogs.
Posted : 5/13/2008 2:06:48 PM
yea, we got an e-mail about this a while back. The symptoms are very similar to kennel cough, but it comes on FAST and STRONG. You have to catch it quickly, or your not able to treat it. Watch for vomiting and lethargy, along with coughing.
Posted : 5/13/2008 2:52:49 PM
How scary! I was just thinking about taking Grady to a bark park. I think I'll rethink that idea. Thanks for the heads up.
Posted : 5/13/2008 3:25:23 PM
Oh, I wouldn't let this stop you. We got the email about it probably about 3 months ago - this is not a new thing.
Just keep a close eye on your dog - and watch for changes in behavior, spunk, appitite, etc.
Posted : 5/13/2008 4:22:24 PM
Wow, this is scary! Thanks for the heads up!!