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TEARS launches ambitious vaccination campaign to protect community pets against Distemper and Parvo

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TEARS

Image: TEARS supports pet and community health in four under-resourced communities in the Southern Peninsula by providing free sterilisations and vital medical support that includes vaccinations, deworming, and parasite control to at-risk companion animals

Launching this month, and to coincide with World Animal Day last week, TEARS Animal Rescue will be undertaking a ground-breaking 6-month fundraising and community vaccination campaign to protect 3000 at-risk dogs and puppies against two lethal canine viral infections, Canine Distemper Virus (Distemper) and Canine Parvo Virus (Parvo) and decrease the risk of its spreading in the “Deep South” communities of Vrygrond, Masiphumelele, Ocean View and Red Hill.

The TEARS Mobile Clinics aim to vaccinate 500 community pets per month, between October 2023 and March 2024, at a cost to TEARS of R360 000.00 using a newly launched revolutionary vaccine from MSD Animal Health that provides puppies with immunization from these diseases between three (Parvo) and seven (Distemper) days respectively.  A single dose can be given from 4 weeks of age and functions as an effective two-in-one active protection against both viruses.

Says TEARS Head Veterinarian, Dr Tania Heuer, “Based on the recorded efficacy of the new Nobivac® Puppy DP (Distemper/Parvo) PLUS vaccine, TEARS is doubling the monthly number of pets we vaccinate and hopes to record a substantial decline in infection and mortality rates over the short and medium term. The Distemper and Parvo viruses are two of the most infectious diseases to dogs and remain one of the biggest challenges for companion animal welfare organisations working in overcrowded and low-income communities where the number of homeless and unvaccinated animals makes the spread of the disease all the more difficult to contain.”

The Distemper virus, which attacks a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems, takes between one and four weeks to incubate; while the Parvovirus can take from as little as three to seven days for symptoms to appear. Parvo mainly targets the gastrointestinal tract resulting in vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Says Dr Heuer, “Unlike other Distemper and Parvo vaccines, the Nobivac® Puppy DP PLUS vaccine is the only canine core vaccine labelled for use in puppies as young as four weeks of age.”

TEARS supports the best vaccination protocols and advocates that all pets receive a second vaccination at nine weeks of age, a third vaccination at 12 weeks, and then again at 16 weeks. Adult dogs that have not been vaccinated as a puppy only require two vaccines one month apart and thereafter annually.

TEARS Head of Marketing and Fundraising, Lara Van Rensburg comments, “TEARS takes a partnership approach to extending our reach and solving systemic animal welfare issues that affect vulnerable pets and community pet owners. While the cost to TEARS is substantial, we have a duty of care to support community health by providing the most effective preventative measures to combat the spread of deadly viruses to pets in those communities. We are 100% reliant on donor funding, rebates, and sponsorships from our healthcare partners to provide sustainable companion animal healthcare solutions.”

To help TEARS protect vulnerable community dogs and puppies please donate to the TEARS Community Vaccination Campaign.  TEARS relies 100% on donations to provide rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and rehoming services and is a recognised Level 1 B-BBEE contributor and Public Beneficiary Organisation. Donations to TEARS are tax deductible, with donors receiving a Section 18A tax receipt. Donations can be made to

  • Acc Name: TEARS
  • Bank: Standard Bank
  • Current Bank Account: 072062886
  • Branch No: 051001

Click here to donate:  https://tears.devman.co.za/devman/online/vetoutreach/ or visit www.tears.org.za.

Source: TEARS Animal Rescue

Vaccinating 250 township dogs for World Rabies Day

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Rabies

Image provided: Nic Bothma, EPA

Vaccinating 250 township dogs for World Rabies Day

International World Rabies Day is on the 28th of September and the Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Khayelitsha, aims to vaccinate 250 dogs in one day. This is of great importance after the identification of rabies infected dogs in the area in 2021 and 2022, the first identified cases in the Western Cape since 1994.

Rabies is a deadly virus which can spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite but it can also transmit through saliva coming into contact with lips, eyes or any exposed cuts on the body. The virus can be transmitted to other animals and humans. 99% of human cases result from dog bites and are fatal once symptoms occur. Apart from setting humans in danger the virus causes extreme pain, discomfort and leads to the death of the infected animal.

Rabies

Image provided: Community children who brought their pets for previous Rabies Day

The clinic will be hosting a mass vaccination day in the Khayelitsha township where pets of the community can receive free vaccinations.

The Clinic is asking members of the public to sponsor a dog for R50. This will cover the costs of the needles, syringes and gloves. The vaccinations are sponsored by the state vet. Each pet will also receive a vaccination against deadly diseases including Parvo Virus, Distemper, Parainfluenza and Adenovirus.

Rabies

Image provided: Community children who brought their pets for previous Rabies Day

“It is essential to vaccinate your dogs against rabies and now even more so as we’ve had cases presented in Khayelitsha,” says Sr Heidi May, General Manager. “Symptoms include fever, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, staggering, seizures and aggression. There is no specific treatment for rabies. Once symptoms appear it’s nearly always fatal. A vaccine can prevent infection.”

To sponsor a dog you can make a donation to Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Rondebosch, Branch Code: 025009, Reference: Rabies+YourName, visit www.mdzananda.co.za or contact info@mdzananda.co.za.

About Mdzananda Animal Clinic (www.mdzananda.co.za)
The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is a permanent, veterinary council registered, NPO animal clinic in Khayelitsha, a township just outside of Cape Town, South Africa, home to 400 000 people (2011 census) and their pets. The clinic serves an average of 1500 animals per month through consultations, hospitalisation, general and orthopaedic surgeries, a sterilisation clinic, mobile clinics and an animal ambulance. Mdzananda has a strong focus on community empowerment and education to ensure responsible pet ownership into the future.

Source: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

TEARS launches fundraising campaign to vaccinate more pets against deadly virus

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TEARS vaccination campaign

TEARS Animal Rescue, based in Sunnydale, is currently being inundated with pet owners seeking help for unvaccinated puppies that have been infected by the lethal Canine Distemper Virus (CDV or Distemper).

This highly contagious airborne virus, mainly affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological systems, includes symptoms like fever and diarrhoea before spreading to the brain and resulting in death. Because there is no cure for the disease, and based on its high contagiousness, the standard animal welfare response, mandated by the SPCA, is to euthanise any dog that is diagnosed with Distemper.

Says TEARS Head Veterinarian, Dr Tania Heuer, “Distemper, together with Canine Parvo Virus, are two of the most Tears Fundraising Campaigninfectious diseases to dogs. We have a monumental responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease in our communities, and a high euthanasia rate in cases where a dog tests positive for the virus. The most important thing any pet owner can do for their pet, is to make sure they’re fully vaccinated. Distemper is avoidable if puppies are vaccinated early.”

One vaccination at 6 weeks, another again at 9 weeks, and then preferably a third vaccine at 12 weeks (3 months) will provide sufficient protection from the virus.  Adult dogs only require two vaccines one month apart.

TEARS vaccinates as many as 350 vulnerable pets per month, providing sterilisations and the first vaccine for free to its welfare clients living in Masiphumelele, Capricorn, Ocean View and Red Hill.  

While many pet owners are without access to transport, TEARS operates a Mobile Clinic service seven days per week, collecting animals from these four communities and taking them into the TEARS Veterinary Hospital for treatment, before returning them. Despite this, many welfare pet owners neglect to vaccinate their puppies or never receive their booster vaccines as required.

Tears Fundraising Campaign“Many pet owners continue to have an anti-vaccination and anti-sterilisation mentality,” says Dr Heuer. “We cannot force owner responsibility on anyone.“

TEARS Head of Fundraising, Lara Van Rensburg comments, “TEARS desperately needs funding support for its Veterinary Outreach Programme to vaccinate more animals and prevent more unnecessary deaths. It costs us R63,000.00 to vaccinate 350 animals, but the vaccination status of pets remains low relative to the need. Homeless and abandoned animals that are more susceptible to infection roam freely, which, combined with the overcrowded conditions in these low-income communities, means the spread of the virus is an ongoing challenge. Pet owners who neglect to vaccinate their animals realise the dangers of not vaccinating, too late. The incubation period of the virus is between three and six days and by the time symptoms appear after exposure, it’s too late.”

Capetonians can help by donating towards TEARS’ Veterinary Outreach Fund enabling the TEARS Mobile Clinics to continue their sterilisation and vaccination drives and protect more animals.

To donate please click here:  https://tears.devman.co.za/devman/online/vetoutreach/ or visit www.tears.org.za

TEARS is a recognised Level 1 B-BBEE contributor and Public Beneficiary Organisation. Donations to TEARS are tax deductible, with donors receiving a Section 18A tax receipt.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
TEARS HEAD of Fundraising
Lara Van Rensburg
Cell: 083 326 1168
Email: lara@tears.org.za

Stand Up for Your City & Give Disadvantaged Animals the Gift of Good Health

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Stand Up for Your City

The saying goes, “Dog is a man’s best friend”. This is true for everyone, regardless of age, race, sexuality, or financial status.

Sadly most disadvantaged dog owners cannot reciprocate financially and, as a result, are unable to get their dogs vaccinated annually or even sterilised.

To ensure that everyone can benefit from the unconditional love of a pet, fellow Capetonians need to band together to make sure that our city is a healthy and happy place for both two-legged and four-legged residents.

According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham; “It is absolutely vital to have your pets vaccinated in order to protect them from potentially fatal diseases such as Canine Distemper or Parvo Virus. By assisting disadvantaged pets to receive much-needed needed vaccinations, we can help keep pets across the city healthy.”

Another important aspect to consider when attempting to boost local pet health and vitality is sterilisation. Sterilization is the best way to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the drastic amount of homeless animals currently roaming in and around Cape Town.

Abraham also notes; “There is a growing concern that when animals go missing they often end up at shelters with no means of locating their owner. We highly recommend the use of Identipet’s microchip technology as a proven means of keeping your pet safe.”

“What better gift to give one’s pet than a voice when they are lost?” asks Identipet’s Angela O’Neale. “With the value-add of microchip TraceBackTM, 24 hour database management, RapidAlert and SOS alerts, the Identipet microchip system is a sure way to protect your pet and give them the love they deserve.”

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Identipet and atFrits Pet Hotel & Daycare Centre have now joined forces to introduce the annual Cape Town Pet Upliftment Project (CTPUP) every last Saturday of every month at De Waal Park, Molteno Road.

The first CTPUP will be on the 31st August 2019. The average cost of a vaccination and microchip ranges from R400 to R700. But full vaccination, sterilisation and micro-chipping can be purchased for only R450 at atFrits, your local vet and selected pet stores. Capetonians can now ‘paw’ it forward with this initiative, by purchasing a voucher for a disadvantaged person during the month and on the last Saturday of every month the voucher can be redeemed at the SPCA mobile unit in De Waal Park.

This way we can all ensure that dogs making use of public pet spaces are healthier and safer to be around each other- a win-win for all pet owners. “A healthy animal means a healthy community”, says Yanic Klue, owner of atFrits Pet Hotel and Daycare Centre.

In relationship with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, atFrits will become the official CTPUP port of call for homeless people seeking medical attention for their animals and will help facilitate followup vaccinations as well as pick-ups and drop-offs of the tended to animals. This is a lifelong commitment, where all parties involved strive to create a safer space for all animals, whether they are fortunate enough to benefit from regular veterinary care or not.

“With this initiative we can change the lives of so many in Cape Town, and my biggest wish is that events like CTPUP be embraced the world over. By standing together and making sure that animals are afforded the opportunity to be healthy and happy, we are contributing to the beautiful spirit of the city and acting as a true community”, says Klue.

Proceeds raised will go towards the Cape of Good Hope SPCA so that they can keep doing amazing work for disadvantaged animals in dire need of love and veterinary attention.

Stand Up for Your City

Source: SPCA

Deadly canine disease spreading through Cape’s streets

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Deadly canine disease spreading through Cape's streets

Deadly canine disease spreading through Cape’s streets

Cape Town has been identified as a hot spot for the deadly canine distemper virus, which was first picked up in Knysna and led to 271 dogs being euthanised.

The outbreak happened in one street in Hornlee with 10 cases of infection reported earlier this year. It quickly spread in the months from March to August.

The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) in Philippi, which encompasses the entire Cape Metro with a focus on the Cape Flats, said it has noticed a “worrying” spike in the number of cases reported.

“We are seeing between 10 and 20 cases per week which is significant.

“The apparent spike in the number of cases may be due to owner ignorance regarding the need to follow a proper vaccination regime.

“Given the number of cases seen the entire Cape Metro can be considered a hot spot,” said AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins.

Perrins said AWS has seen cases where the prognosis is regrettably hopeless and was left with no choice but to euthanise the dog to end its suffering and to prevent new infections.

“In a few instances, we have been able to offer supportive care. Being highly contagious, such cases are managed on an outpatient basis and the owner educated regarding the risk and spread of the virus.

“In domestic dogs, while the acute generalised form of distemper has a high mortality rate, disease duration and severity depends largely on the dog’s age and immune status and virulence of the infecting strain of the virus.”

Perrins said it has placed strict, non-negotiable bio-security protocols to prevent the spread of disease using basic foot-baths to costly sprays.

“Animals in our care, for example, hospital patients, impounded or stray animals and animals up for adoption, are safely isolated and carefully monitored to ensure their health and welfare.

“Their needs are not seen to by the hospital team who work in a high-risk area.

“Our kennels are very responsibly managed, disinfected and fumigated regularly to prevent the spread of disease and as a rule we do not wittingly admit infected animals, so there has not been a need to place our kennels under quarantine.”

Dogs that are not vaccinated and come into any kind of contact with an infected animal carry a particularly high risk of contracting this deadly disease.

Perrins urged pet owners to vaccinate and, in deserving cases where an owner really cannot afford the vaccine, it may vaccinate for free.

Source: IOL

Distemper outbreak kills 80 dogs in Knysna: What is it and what are its symptoms?

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An aggressive strain of a fatal disease in dogs, distemper has broken out in Knysna and has claimed the lives of dozens of canines.

The Knysna-Plett Herald reports that 80 dogs have had to be put down in May alone, as the outbreak was detected in Charlie Lawack Street, Hornlee and spread at a rapid pace.

“It is really bad, for this month alone we have had to put more than 80 dogs down that already had the aggressive distemper,” Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) official, Retha Havenga was quoted by the publication.

What is canine distemper?

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs and some other animals in the canine family. It has no known cure and often leads to death.

The virus can also affect humans, but hardly ever causes any illness and has no symptoms. However, humans who have been vaccinated against measels are protected from distemper

It’s airborne, but it can also spread from dog to dog through direct contact of an infected dog’s saliva, blood or urine.

Distemper symptoms

Early symptoms of distemper in dogs include a spike in temperature, a change in eye colour and a discharge from the nose and eyes.

When a dog is infected, it usually becomes weak and lethargic, and can also suffer from loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

How do I protect my dog from distemper?

As with most diseases that affect cats, vaccination is always key.

Small puppies vaccinated after 12 to 16 weeks are more than likely protected for life with just one shot.

If you are unsure whether or not your dog has been vaccinated from distemper, it’s best to check with your vet, especially with the more aggressive strain going around.

As the old cliche goes, rather safe than sorry.

Author: Siviwe Breakfast 

Source: The South African