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New Hope Animal Rescue, Austin TX
New Hope Animal Rescue, Austin TX
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Category: Pet health

photo of dog laying on grass

Canine Distemper: A Preventable Crisis

April 26, 2023 Kelley Rice

Canine distemper is a deadly and highly contagious virus that affects dogs, especially in shelters. Learn how to prevent this entirely preventable disease by understanding its signs, symptoms, and the importance of DAPP vaccinations.

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Torchy needs a home
Quint's Story: A Cautionary Tail While visiting a local shelter on Saturday, our volunteer would be horrified to discover a very sweet cat who had a devastating injury. Where his tail should be, was a large gaping wound as if his tail had been pulled completely off. He had exposed spinal bone and was at serious risk for a deadly infection and was extremely dehydrated. This small, rural shelter has no vet staff so leaving him behind would have meant certain death. We were faced with the quick decision to save his life. We named this sweet, chatty, affectionate boy Quint. Our vet would determine that Quint likely escaped from a predator who ate his tail off and that his wound was at least 2 weeks old. We are thankful our vet could clean and debride the wound and stitch poor Quint back together. Quint was also neutered, combo tested [FeLV/FIV negative], microchipped and vaccinated. His stitches come out in 10 more days but he's ready for an amazing home [Adoption app]
Quint: Cat who is grateful to be alive
Duncan is a handsome puppy with stunning blue eyes! He's a typical loving, energetic heeler puppy who loves playing with other dogs. He is 11 weeks old and will be neutered next week so is ready to meet potential adopters! Heelers are best suited for owners who can provide them with sufficient exercise and mental stimulation along with firm boundaries and leadership. Due to their intelligence, they are quick learners but also can have an independent spirit which can make them harder to train. Heelers love the outdoors so access to an outside area like a secure fenced yard is ideal for Duncan. Because of his sharp puppy teeth and herding behavior, we recommend Duncan for a home with Adults or adults and teenagers. Apply to meet Duncan Here: https://nhanimalrescue.org/adoption-information/ More pictures and videos of Duncan here: https://nhanimalrescue.org/duncan/
Duncan playing with a herding ball
He is super food motivated and does “jazz 🙌 hands” when he is dancing for treats or attention it is so cute! Roo is in need of loving home.
Jazz Hands IMG 0513
Heath entered a municipal shelter as an unvaccinated stray. She was there over a week before the shelter vaccinated her. During that time, she was exposed to dogs with distemper. Distemper is often fatal yet nearly 100% preventable with vaccines. Your dogs can catch distemper from wildlife in your yard or other sick dogs if they have not been vaccinated. New Hope Animal Rescue is currently fighting to save Heath's life. There is no cure for distemper, but we are providing pain management and supportive care. Our rescue also gave Heath distemper serum right after we rescued her so we are hopeful she could beat this horrible and preventable disease.
Heath's Battle with Distemper
We rescued Gertie from a high kill shelter and our vet noticed some possible prior trauma to her mouth [broken jaw] that has fully healed. She had retained baby teeth that he also pulled so we think she is still quite young (under a year).Gertie is a a petite, sweet and gentle cat. She is an expert biscuit maker with a strong purrr motor. She is currently fostered with other cats and is doing great with them. She is patiently awaiting her forever home.
Happy cat who was given a second chance at life
Puppers recently came to us from a shelter and was a little shy and shut down but she blossoms every day in her foster home as she understand she is safe!
Puppers playing with another dog
Taye and Haji are gorgeous 8 moth old kittens who were rescued from harsh living conditions at a gas station in West Texas as hissy, little kittens but they have made so much progress in their foster home. These boys are handsome and fun to watch and clearly love cat shelves. If you are seeking more independent kitties that just need a loving place to call home, they might be the ones for you! Taye is a play machine. He loves toys, stalking and chasing his brother Haji, and jumping around on the furniture. He likes to be the center of attention and although he doesn’t enjoy being pet, he loves human companionship and someone to use wand toys with him. He will curl up to next to his foster mom on the couch. He is daring and adventurous and jumps head first into new situations. He loves to eat so it has been a good way to train him to become more social. He’s a fun boy to watch and is very bonded to Haji. Haji is interested in humans and has his “person” that he likes to be near. He has a sweet and chill personality though he can be playful and enjoys all the toys. He’ll lick Churu treats off fingers and is a very clean boy. He gives kitty kisses freely by blinking his eyes. He likes to sniff fingers and toes but doesn’t tolerate being touched and will often scurry away when someone approaches him. He hides from new people but will accept tuna from strangers. He will require patience and someone who enjoys having a cat who loves them from a distance. He is closely bonded to his brother, Taye, and tolerates Taye’s rowdy play with moderate enjoyment. If you think you have the patience to help these kitties grow their confidence around humans and simply accept them for the great cats that they are, please submit an adoption application - we would love to talk to you! https://nhanimalrescue.org/adoption-information/
Brothers Taye and Haji seeking patient home
Please welcome adorable puppy Heath to New Hope! When we received the news she had a 24 hour euthanasia deadline for being shy and our hearts, along with many others, were torn in two. It took a village and partnering with another rescue to get her out just in time! Sadly, she escaped one horrible fate to be met with another life threatening risk. The day after Heath was rescued from the shelter, the shelter announced they had a distemper outbreak and Heath was housed in the same buidling as the first sick dog. To pile onto that, she was not vaccinated with the distemper/parvo vaccine [DAPP] upon intake for being timid [Heath actually loves people and other pets!]. Right now we working to keep her healthy as possible, including admistering IV vitamin C, antibiotics and distemper serum from Dr. Huddleston in Houston arrives today. Heath does have a puppy cold, which is often the first sign of distemper. If she did contract the disease,she potentially has a big uphill battle ahead of her and we will give her every figthing chance. She's currently fostered with someone who is a veterinarian who is comfortable giving her IV vitamin C to keep her immunity boosted as well as administering the distemper serum, so we are indredibly grateful. We will give this girl every chance but please say some prayers that her symptoms don't worsen. Heath is just 5 1/2 months old and 27 pounds. Sadly, distemper can be 80% fatal in dogs her age and there is no cure, only supportive care. The good news for pet owners is that distemper is nearly 100% avoidable as long as you have had your dog properly vaccinated with DAPP by your veterinarian. Disetmper can be carried into your yard by wildlife like skunks, squirrels, foxes etc. It is also spread by airborn spores or through contact with infected urine, saliva or feces. Unvaccinated dogs who could be shedding the disease may not even show symptoms! Cats and humans don't catch distmepr, but pet ferrets can. We are begging you to make sure your pets are current on vaccines, because this disease is very often fatal yet totally preventable. Please visit this link if you wish to donate towards Heath's medical care: https://nhanimalrescue.org/donation/
Heath almost euthanized at a shelter for being Shy
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    P.O. Box 40443
    Austin TX 78704

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