- January 14, 2025
Loading
Halifax Humane Society has suspended intake, adoptions, boarding and grooming services and implemented outbreak management protocols after 15 dogs contracted upper respiratory infections.
The virus does have a high recovery rate with rest and medical treatment, but is highly contagious, a news release from the shelter reported on June 22.
On Tuesday, June 27, HHS reported in a news release that the infections were caused by canine pneumovirus.
The shelter is asking for the community’s support to help treat the 15 dogs.
A total of $175 can provide medications and supportive care to dogs affected by the illness for 15 days, HHS stated.
“As an open admission shelter, we encounter various challenges and uncertainties when accepting community intakes,” HHS stated in the news release. “It is through our diligent efforts that we have identified canine pneumovirus as the root cause of the URI in our shelter dogs, allowing us to determine its presence in our community.”
While there is no vaccine for upper respiratory infections, HHS issued a reminder that pet owners should contact their veterinarians to establish an annual vaccination protocol for dogs beginning at 6 weeks of age to strengthen the dog’s immune systems to combat viruses and infections.