The Miami-Dade County Animal Shelter will temporarily suspend some services effective immediately due to an outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially deadly bacteria that has been reported at the facility.
The bacteria, known as Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus, causes hemorrhagic pneumonia in dogs and can sometimes cause illness in people and other animals, the county said in a statement.
Although this bacterium can affect immunocompromised humans, the incidence is low.
Pet owners should be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, lethargy, cough (with or without blood), bloody or mucopurulent nasal discharge, hemorrhagic pneumonia, and in some cases, sudden death.
However, it is important to note that dogs brought to the shelter are at high risk of contracting the bacteria. Therefore, to prevent the spread, the animal shelter has suspended some services with immediate effect.
Spaying surgeries and vaccinations, as well as stray dog pick-ups are some of the services that are on hold.
County Animal Services is currently unable to accept pets at the shelter and asks residents to keep their pets at home.
However, adoption services will remain open as adopters are urgently needed to help healthy pets reach new, loving homes.
Currently, there is no vaccine against Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus, so contagion can be very dangerous.
If you suspect your pet is showing symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately for further recommendations and treatment.
According to the release released by Miami-Dade County, the preferred treatment is a seven-day course of cephalosporins. The second option is antibiotics with penicillins.
This bacterium is resistant to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, so they should not be used in the treatment of this disease.
To prevent the spread of the bacteria, the county is asking the community to adopt and remove as many pets from the shelter as possible.