Latest news with #panleukopenia
CBS News
a day ago
- Health
- CBS News
South Florida animal shelters encouraging pet adoption as illnesses infecting cats, dogs spreads
Pet parents: listen up! If you have a cat or dog, you may want to be vigilant about different illnesses going around South Florida. One disease is impacting dogs in Miami-Dade County, while the other is infecting cats in Broward County, as South Florida animal shelters deal with overcrowding. At Broward County's animal shelter, they are navigating a cat virus called panleukopenia. The virus causes lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting, and can be especially dangerous for kittens. "The virus is prevalent in the spring, contagious and resistant to disinfectants," said Broward shelter veterinarian Antonella Guerra. The affected cats are isolated, and for now, the Broward shelter is not taking in stray cats, but the shelter is open for business, and they are encouraging people to adopt cats and dogs. George Pacheco and his son are looking to adopt a pet from the Broward County Animal Shelter "You are saving an animal who needs a home," Pacheco said. In the Broward animal care field, services manager Philip Goen told CBS News Miami if you have a cat, try to keep them inside. "As far as putting food and water out, if it's not known to you, I wouldn't start that practice," he said. At Miami-Dade's animal shelter, it is the dogs that have Chief Vet Maria Serrano's attention. With over 500 dogs up for adoption — twice the capacity — she's dealing with a "strep zoo" outbreak, a bacteria affecting the respiratory tract that can lead to pneumonia. "Luckily, we have treated the entire shelter with antibiotics and we are doing deep cleaning," she said. The affected sick dogs are isolated, and Miami-Dade is discouraging people from turning in stray animals and encouraging them to open their hearts and homes. "We need people to adopt," Serrano said. "Overcrowding is the root of all disease."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Miramichi SPCA asks for support from community during ‘tough times'
The Miramichi SPCA is pictured in an undated photo. (Source: Facebook/Miramichi SPCA) A New Brunswick SPCA was forced to shut down temporarily due to an outbreak of panleukopenia. The closure has also placed a financial strain on the animal shelter. The Miramichi SPCA has reached out to its community to ask for support after facing a month's long closure due to panleukopenia, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease in cats caused by parvovirus. 'Our operating costs continue to increase in 2025 and with this unexpected viral outbreak we have needed $35,000 to keep our doors open every month,' a Facebook post from the Miramichi SPCA said. The SPCA asked for help from the community as it resumes normal operations, 'whether through donations, volunteering, fundraising or fostering, your support makes a world of a difference,' the post continued. Since September 2024, the SPCA detachment said it has found homes for 248 cats and welcomed 218 new cats into its care. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover the veterinary bills and additional supplies that were needed to handle the panleukopenia outbreak. The SPCA website also offers other methods of donating, including an Amazon Wishlist that lists items needed for the animal shelter. 'Thank you once again for standing by us during these tough times,' said the post. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
