'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

PAGE 2 - December 22, 2010

The Newscaster - Nature Coast News

CitrusAnimalShelter temporarily

Pet Patrol

closes County Animal Shelter was closed as of Friday to adoption and public

kennels for distemper virus

The Citrus

view of animals in the kennels for at least two weeks due to some dogs testing positive for

distemper, a highly contagious canine respiratory virus.

Shelter personnel are using vigorous cleaning and disinfecting methods and taking

action to observe, isolate and segregate the dogs as necessary to stop the spread of the virus.

The virus can be fatal to dogs, though is not necessarily so. Respiratory symptoms

include sneezing, thick discharge from nose and eyes and coughing. It can progress to the

digestive system, displayed by vomiting and diarrhea and in severe cases even to a neu-

rological stage, displayed by seizures and confusion. Similar to the flu virus that affects

humans, there is no treatment for the virus aside from supportive care. Antibiotics can be

used for secondary bacterial infections, but don’t affect the virus.

Vaccination is what is needed to keep it in check, said the shelters veterinarian, Dr.

Julie Rosenberger. That gives dogs the best chance for developing immunity to the virus.

The problem is that shelter workers usually have no idea whether stray dogs have

been previously vaccinated and what diseases they have been exposed to before winding up

in the shelter. That’s why they vaccinate every dog brought to the shelter without exception.

“My name is Leana, the little 6 #, 9 yo, s.f.

Still, animals already infected but not showing symptoms yet can get in the popula-

Maltese, that acts like a 2 yo. I am beautiful

tion and begin to spread the disease to dogs not yet immune. It takes about two weeks for

and always happy. You will enjoy cuddling

the symptoms to begin showing in unvaccinated animals after exposure, Rosenberger said.

“Scout” is a 7 mo old neutered male Ger-

me. I would really like someone to adopt

She said distemper is one of the diseases that shelters and kennels have to constantly be on

man Shepherd/ Greyhound mix. He is brin-

me with my 9 year, 15#white fluffy Ameri-

the lookout for. Wild raccoons and foxes carry the canine distemper virus and the whole

dle colored - quite exotic markings. He is

can Eskimo dog companion, if possible.

region has been on alert recently because of the heightened presence of the virus in the wild

very sweet and timid. He is still very much

We have always lived together. We are not

population and the increased number of reported cases in dogs. Some other shelters in the

a puppy. He is crate trained. He is good

good with kids. See us, the YorkiePoo and 2

region have already had outbreaks, Rosenberger said.

with other dogs and cats. He is wormed and

Cockapoos at A Humane Society of Central

She said distemper was discovered after a few dogs showed some respiratory

current on his shots. He would make a great

Florida Pet Rescue, Inc. Saturday Adoption

signs. She tested 14 selected animals and four came up positive. There were about 60 dogs

running companion. He is looking for that

Event in Pet Supermarket, Inverness, 10-1

in the kennels on Friday. The Shelter issued the following statement: “To protect the pet

special person or family to adopt him. Call

PM.

population, the Citrus County Animal Shelter has been forced to temporarily close its ken-

352-528-9888.

nels to the public due to some confirmed cases of canine distemper. With an increasing

Injured & Orphaned

Adopt A Rescued Pet,

number of distemper cases statewide being reported, Animal Shelter officials urged all dog

Wildlife Care

Inc. Citrus County Call

owners to vaccinate their canines against the potential deadly disease as soon as possible.

For more information, contact Animal Services at (352) 746-8400 during operating hours,

352-795-7573 for Birds

352-795-9550

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Holiday schedule for Citrus County offices,

NAPA Auto &

landfill, libraries and Animal Shelter

Truck Parts

Due to the Saturday holidays this holiday season and the fact that some county

Fax: 352-447-6099

facilities are normally open on Saturday, the following schedule of closings for county com-

(352) 447-6000

mission facilities for the holidays has been announced.

Hours:

Citrus County Commission government offices will be closed on Thursday, De-

Mon-

cember 23, and Friday the 24th in observance of the Christmas holiday, as well as Friday,

U.S. 19 - Inglis

Friday

December 31 for New Years.

Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty

The Animal Shelter will be open on Thursday, December 23, but closed on Friday

7:30-5:30

and Saturday, December 24 and 25. It will be open on Friday, December 31, and closed on

Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire

Saturday

Saturday, January 1.

8-5

(352) 489-3391

Solid Waste offices at the landfill will be closed on December 23 and 24 and Dec

31. The landfill will be open on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 but will close early on Friday, Decem-

Sunday

ber 24, at 2:30 p.m. The landfill will be closed on Saturday, December 25.

U.S. 41 - Dunnellon

8-5

It will close early on Friday, December 31 at 2:30 p.m. and be closed on Saturday, January 1.

Just North of Powell Rd

Library Services: Central Ridge, Homosassa, Lakes and Coastal Libraries will be

open on Thursday, December 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Floral City Library will be

open from 10 a.m. to noon that day. The libraries will be closed Friday and Saturday, De-

THE NEWSCASTER & Nature Coast News is published weekly by Newscaster Publishing, 19170 SE

cember 24 and 25, and will also be closed on Friday-Saturday, December 31 and January 1.

136 Ct.Dunnellon, FL. 34431 Ph.352-388-1668, fax not available at this time. e-mail: thenewscaster1@

The county s Orange Line fixed route bus service will run a special Holiday Ex-

gmail.com. Bulk Rate Postage is paid at Inglis, FL Permit No. 14. Subscription Rates are $18.50 per

press from Beverly Hills to Inverness, without the Lecanto loop, on Thursday, December

year in Florida, $21.50 out of state. The Newscaster is also available in news racks for 25 and 50 cents.

23, all day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be no charge to the public for this service during

email news to: news@thenewscaster.com

commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and or editors. Unsolicited commentary

and letters to the editor must be typed and signed by the author. Include a phone/address for verification.

Information can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. Newscaster Publishing accepts no responsibility for lost

or damaged manuscripts, or photos. Enclose return postage if you want material returned.

Quality, Compassionate

Todd Sumlin

Veterinary Care including:

WE ALSO HAVE

• Annual Exams & Vaccinations

Plant Manager

• Digital Radiography

(352)465-1515

BIRDS, PUPPIES &

• Microchip Implants

TROPICAL FISH

• Health Certificates

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

INGLIS QUARRY

155 Heights Avenue, Inverness

Sun 12pm-4pm

Animal Hospital

(352) 726-2460

10880 U.S. Hwy 19 S.

NATURAL &

Phone (352)447-2209

Pet Grooming

P.O. Box 519

Your Family’s Other Doctor

www.tlccitrus.com

PET

PREMIUM

Fax (352)447-0218

Inglis, FL. 34449

20372 E. Penna. Ave.

Debra Moore, DVM

PET FOODS

SITTING

Dunnellon

Dogs • Cats • Ferrets • Rodents