Fears have been raised that an outbreak of highly contagious distemper could spread from Hamburg and infect other dogs.
Over the past three weeks, 20 dogs in the Hamburg area have been euthanased by worried Ndlambe SPCA inspectors.
State vet Dr Chamu Makuleke yesterday told the Dispatch he would visit the area with a team today to investigate.
Although distemper is common in rural areas, and nearby Peddie has seen a reported “two to three” cases a week over the past year, Maluleke said the figures coming from Hamburg in recent weeks were “high for one area”.
Symptoms include no appetite, lethargy, crusty eyes, green snot nose, high temperature, lower jaw trembling, difficulty breathing and disorientation.
Makuleke said efforts would be made to get vaccines for dogs not yet infected.
The disease is not harmful to humans. Hamburg is outside the jurisdiction of the Port Alfred-based Ndlambe SPCA, but chair Sandy Birch yesterday said they had stepped in to prevent it spread.
“It is a huge worry. We need to do all we can.”
Birch said the cash-strapped SPCA had intervened – despite the high costs and impact on their daily work – as they were closest to Hamburg.
She said as many as 200 dogs could be infected. Owners are reluctant to euthanase and a campaign has been started to explain that it is the only way to prevent it spreading.
Although dogs can be vaccinated against distemper, it is expensive to cure – especially in rural areas – and even if achieved the animal becomes a carrier for life. “The only way is to euthanase. It is very difficult to contain and the costs are high.
“We just do not have the funds.”
Hamburg-based Mandy de Jong, who has been working to contain the outbreak, said a fundraising initiative to vaccinate dogs had been set up called Hamburg Hounds.
The canine outreach was started two years ago by local teenager Kristin Mace to contribute to the Ndlambe SPCA’s costs for treating, vaccinating and neutering dogs.
“The objectives of Hamburg Hounds is to encourage, assist, support and educate the people of Hamburg with basic primary care for their dogs and to take responsibility for their pets,” De Jong said.
She became involved three weeks ago when a “desperate” Atwell Ndlondlo arrived with two sick dogs.
“This spurred me into action, to get involved to try and curb the outbreak by euthanasing infected dogs and vaccinating the healthy ones to prevent the spread and any future outbreaks.
“There is no cure for distemper.
“It is highly contagious and is spread by direct contact between dogs and by faeces and urine in the environment or on owners’ clothing.
“It is an airborne virus.”
She said telling an owner why their dog had to be euthanased was a struggle. “It is not an easy decision for any dog owner to make.
“People here really care about their dogs. They just do not have the funds or means to have their dogs vaccinated by a veterinarian.
“After inspecting the dogs we tell the owners that their dogs are sick and have to be put down, but they walk away with their dogs. They don’t want to put their dogs to sleep.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Distemper outbreak threatens
Over the past three weeks, 20 dogs in the Hamburg area have been euthanased by worried Ndlambe SPCA inspectors.
State vet Dr Chamu Makuleke yesterday told the Dispatch he would visit the area with a team today to investigate.
Although distemper is common in rural areas, and nearby Peddie has seen a reported “two to three” cases a week over the past year, Maluleke said the figures coming from Hamburg in recent weeks were “high for one area”.
Symptoms include no appetite, lethargy, crusty eyes, green snot nose, high temperature, lower jaw trembling, difficulty breathing and disorientation.
Makuleke said efforts would be made to get vaccines for dogs not yet infected.
The disease is not harmful to humans. Hamburg is outside the jurisdiction of the Port Alfred-based Ndlambe SPCA, but chair Sandy Birch yesterday said they had stepped in to prevent it spread.
“It is a huge worry. We need to do all we can.”
Birch said the cash-strapped SPCA had intervened – despite the high costs and impact on their daily work – as they were closest to Hamburg.
She said as many as 200 dogs could be infected. Owners are reluctant to euthanase and a campaign has been started to explain that it is the only way to prevent it spreading.
Although dogs can be vaccinated against distemper, it is expensive to cure – especially in rural areas – and even if achieved the animal becomes a carrier for life. “The only way is to euthanase. It is very difficult to contain and the costs are high.
“We just do not have the funds.”
Hamburg-based Mandy de Jong, who has been working to contain the outbreak, said a fundraising initiative to vaccinate dogs had been set up called Hamburg Hounds.
The canine outreach was started two years ago by local teenager Kristin Mace to contribute to the Ndlambe SPCA’s costs for treating, vaccinating and neutering dogs.
“The objectives of Hamburg Hounds is to encourage, assist, support and educate the people of Hamburg with basic primary care for their dogs and to take responsibility for their pets,” De Jong said.
She became involved three weeks ago when a “desperate” Atwell Ndlondlo arrived with two sick dogs.
“This spurred me into action, to get involved to try and curb the outbreak by euthanasing infected dogs and vaccinating the healthy ones to prevent the spread and any future outbreaks.
“There is no cure for distemper.
“It is highly contagious and is spread by direct contact between dogs and by faeces and urine in the environment or on owners’ clothing.
“It is an airborne virus.”
She said telling an owner why their dog had to be euthanased was a struggle. “It is not an easy decision for any dog owner to make.
“People here really care about their dogs. They just do not have the funds or means to have their dogs vaccinated by a veterinarian.
“After inspecting the dogs we tell the owners that their dogs are sick and have to be put down, but they walk away with their dogs. They don’t want to put their dogs to sleep.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos