November 29, 2023
Kern County Animal Services has identified the pathogen that led to the death of shelter dogs a week ago. Over 250 animals had been placed under quarantine while the pathogen was being identified through laboratory testing. Laboratory testing has confirmed that the pathogen that caused the rapid onset of symptoms was Streptococcus Zooepidemicus, otherwise known as “Strep Zoo.”
What is Strep Zoo?
Strep Zoo is a bacterium that is normally found in horses, cattle, and pigs that rarely causes disease. When this bacterium infects immunocompromised dogs, it may cause severe pneumonia. There is no vaccine for Strep Zoo and few warning signs. The bacterium has caused outbreaks of fatal pneumonia in shelter dogs worldwide due to the stressed and crowded conditions in shelters.
What are the signs and symptoms for Strep Zoo?
Signs of infection include fever, depression, vomiting, labored breathing, coughing blood, and discharge from the nose. The onset of symptoms is typically sudden and rapid.
Can I vaccinate my animal against Strep Zoo?
There is no vaccine for Strep Zoo. However, this can be an opportunistic disease that can affect immunocompromised dogs. So, vaccines for pets against more common illnesses like “kennel cough”, parvovirus, and canine distemper are important in protecting your pet.
Is there a treatment for Strep Zoo?
Strep Zoo on its own is easily treatable with antibiotics if treated promptly. In most cases a dog with Strep Zoo, once treated with an antibiotic, will make a full recovery and no longer express symptoms of the disease.
Where does Strep Zoo come from?
Strep Zoo is a bacterium that, when found in dogs, is usually in kennel and animal shelter type settings where stressed and crowded conditions exist. It is normally found in horses, cattle, and pigs but rarely causes disease.
I just adopted a dog from KCAS, what should I look out for?
If your new pet is not displaying signs or symptoms, there is no cause for concern regarding Strep Zoo. Always monitor your pet’s health and maintain a relationship with a veterinarian. If you adopted a dog from KCAS after November 20th, you could also contact us at animalservices@wjc7.com and we can provide you with additional information and support.
Can a dog transfer Strep Zoo to a human?
It would be incredibly rare for a dog to transmit Strep Zoo to a human. We’re only aware of one confirmed case of Strep Zoo being transmitted from a dog to a human in all of history.
What is the incubation period for Strep Zoo?
The incubation period is typically less than a week, but it can be transmitted for up to a few weeks later.
Is it possible for me to take this germ home on my clothes after interacting with dog’s sick with Strep Zoo?
It is possible, but unlikely. It is always recommended that you wash your hands and change your clothes if you’ve interacted with sick dogs and then plan to interact with your own animals.
For the Kern County Animal Shelter and the animals being cared for currently, identifying this pathogen provides a clear and promising path forward. It also confirms that the appropriate steps have been taken, and continue to be taken, that will ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care and those that will come to us in the days and weeks ahead. In consult with veterinary professionals across California that specialize in shelter medicine, the fantastic news KCAS received was that once antibiotics were administered to a dog with Strep Zoo, it should live a normal healthy life thereafter.
Over the course of the next two weeks, staff and volunteers will be methodically moving through all kennel areas and thoroughly disinfecting every square inch of the facility. In order to do that, our dog population cannot be in the kennel areas while that is being done. KCAS is asking for anyone willing and able to become short-term foster families to take a shelter dog during this massive undertaking. Fostering a shelter dog for just one week is the single most important way our community can help, and is the key to saving the 200 plus dogs in our care. Any resident that can host a shelter dog for one week can email KCAS at AnimalServices@KernCounty.com, or DogFoster@KernCounty.com. Animal Services will also be holding a drive-thru dog foster event Wednesday, December 6, and interest in the drive-thru foster pickup can also be expressed by emailing at AnimalServices@KernCounty.com, or DogFoster@KernCounty.com.
“Every single time we have sounded the alarm, this community has stepped up. I have zero doubt that they will again step up. We have a lot of work ahead of us to eliminate this pathogen from our facility, and the great people of Kern County fostering a dog for a week is what is going to allow us to get on the other side of this”, states Nick Cullen, Director of Kern County Animal Services. For updates on the Strep Zoo response, and to stay aware of ways you can help, follow Animal Services on all or any of its social media channels, as well as the departments website.
November 27, 2023
A severe, and sometimes fatal, respiratory illness has been reported in dogs across 10 states, and Kern County Animal Services is now asking the public to be cautious with their pets. Animal Services has been attempting to monitor shelter dogs for signs that are consistent with reported symptoms, and until recently had not observed any. This past weekend, two dogs at the Kern County Animal Shelter died with consistent clinical symptoms, and lab results are pending to identify the illness.
The signs and symptoms to be aware of are:
- Persistent cough
- Eye or nasal discharge
- Fever
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
The illness can be highly contagious to other animals, is spread through direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly through contact with food and water bowls, toys, or blankets, and can be fatal. Pet owners should take special precautions with places like dog parks, or any place where multiple dogs may interact with each other. Most importantly, if your pet is displaying symptoms like these, veterinary care should be sought.
Over 250 animals at the Kern County Animal Shelter are now under quarantine, with medical personnel monitoring them for signs and symptoms of respiratory distress. As a result of this overwhelming task, it has become necessary for Kern County Animal Services to adjust services and operations for the next 10 days. Effective Monday, November 27th, Animal Services will only be able to accept sick stray dogs, injured stray dogs, or stray dogs that are a risk to public safety due to their aggressive behavior. This applies to both animals the community is intending to take into the shelter on Fruitvale Ave, and to friendly healthy animals reported to be found and contained where an Animal Control Officer would normally respond. These operational changes will stay in effect until Thursday, December 7th, when normal operations will resume.
It is imperative that KCAS takes these steps for the health and wellbeing of the animals currently in care. “For two years now our shelter has operated at about three times our capacity. This highly virulent pathogen that is now affecting our shelter pets is a direct result of exceeding our capacity by that much, for this long. We are pleading for the community’s help as we navigate this. The ways you can help are by keeping your pets safe and secure, and by making every attempt to locate the owner of a found pet. Our research shows that over 90% of found animals are actually less than 1,000 feet away from their home,” states Nick Cullen, Director of Kern County Animal Services.
Kern County Animal Services is seeking donations. To give, please see below:
DONATE
AMAZON WISHLIST
