After placing its dogs in a quarantine about three weeks ago, Alachua County Animal Services recently continued dog adoptions and drop-offs.
On Feb. 24, veterinarians discovered streptococcus zooepidemicus, also known as “strep zoo,” and canine pneumovirus among six dogs. Vernon Sawyer, the ACAS director, said the dogs were cured with an antibiotic called Convenia.
“We’re open to the public again,” Sawyer said. “Our guys, the puppies, the dogs, they’re doing good.”
While the afflicted canines were quarantined, workers asked the community not to bring new dogs.
“So you have to lock everything down, treat all the animals that you have at the time and not open that circle until you defeated the virus, or whatever illness it may be,” Sawyer said.
The shelter did, however, accept dogs that were injured or a threat to the public, he said.
Marissa Lespinasse, a 20-year-old UF animal sciences junior, said she believes ACAS correctly handled the outbreak.
“I think the situation is very sad, and preventative measures should be taken to prevent the spread of these viruses,” said Lespinasse.
While the shelter has dealt with respiratory infections and viruses in the past, Sawyer said the recent pathogen and virus were a first. He said the shelter takes in about 5,000 to 6,000 animals each year, and it can be hard to judge which new drop-offs are sick.
“Obviously they can’t tell us, ‘Hey, you know I had chickenpox,’ you know?” Sawyer said.
