Animal shelter continues cleanup

58 dogs died from pneumonia

MOSES LAKE - The majority of sick dogs euthanized at the Grant County Animal Outreach animal shelter was due to pneumonia.

The shelter has been closed for nearly two weeks and is expected to reopen March 1, Outreach President Harmony White said.

A total of 58 dogs and puppies were euthanized or died due to severe symptoms of the pneumonia and secondary infections, she said. Of the original dogs, 17 survived with minimal to no signs of infection and remain in quarantine at the shelter.

Newly impounded animals since the closure are placed at an alternative site on private property while the shelter continues decontamination this week, White said.

Animals were quarantined during the first week of February when it became apparent the dogs were ill, she said. As the sickness amongst dogs grew, the shelter closed its doors to prevent possible contamination outside of the shelter.

Pneumonia was determined to be the cause of illness last week after tests were conducted at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Washington State University, White said. The tests did not detect canine influenza or canine distemper.

"The pneumonia developed quickly, in some cases less than 24 hours (dogs went) from asymptomatic to completely unresponsive," she noted. "Several of the affected animals responded to treatment with antibiotics with varying levels of success."

White said when the infected dogs were given shots of penicillin, they almost immediately began to recover.

"There is no vaccine currently available for preventing pneumonia in dogs," she added. "The shelter routinely vaccinates all impounded animals in order to start the immunization process against other infectious agents as early as possible and booster (shots) are given after two weeks."

White said the shelter is more than 30 years old and it was a factor in the spread of the pneumonia.

There was a lack of ventilation at the shelter and the exhaust fans were turned off during the winter to prevent the outside cold from reaching inside, she said.

"The severity and persistence of the current outbreak is a direct result of the shelter's deteriorating physical structure and lack of environmental controls as well as the population density of homeless animals," stated White.

Dogs adopted during the outbreak are recovering from illnesses or recovered, she said. The health of an adopted animal that is infected is better than infected shelter animals because they are getting fresh air, constant care and are not surrounded by other infected dogs, White said.

Three dogs were adopted during the quarantine and are expected to be placed in their homes soon with strict follow-up care instructions, she added. The other dogs are available for adoption.

Since Feb. 14, 19 dogs were impounded at the shelter from Moses Lake and Grant County. Two of the animals were reclaimed by their owners.

Work to decontaminate the shelter is expected to begin Tuesday at a cost of approximately $23,000, White said. The funds are coming from budget reserves and local sponsors.

Work to sandblast, resurface and repaint is expected to take approximately three to four days, she said. The shelter is looking for volunteers to help clean-up the work site for the next few days. White said volunteer work could save the shelter approximately $3,000. The shelter is in need of electrician and masonry volunteers too.

To volunteer, people are asked to contact the shelter at 509-762-9616 or e-mail staff at gcanimaloutreach@hotmail.com. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 489 in Moses Lake.

The Outreach Board of Directors is currently investigating a solution for the ventilation system.