Dog dies in Maricopa County animal shelter from ‘strep zoo’ infection
Jan 22, 2018, 4:14 PM
(Flickr/Leo Rodman)
(Flickr/Leo Rodman)
PHOENIX — Officials with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control are asking pet owners to be on the lookout for symptoms of “strep zoo,” an infection that has claimed at least one animal recently.
“Strep zoo” — short for streptococcus zooepidemicus — is a severe bacterial upper respiratory infection, according to Jose Santiago, a spokesman with the agency.
Santiago said one dog that was housed in the Mesa shelter had to be “humanly euthanized” after showing severe signs of the virus, signs that included being lethargic and coughing up blood. That dog later tested positive for “strep zoo.”
Two other dogs in the facility have since been put down or died, but Santiago said the test results for those animals have not come back yet.
At least 30 other dogs are showing symptoms of the virus, Santiago said.
Santiago said new owners should get their dogs checked out if they are showing symptoms of coughing, vomiting or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can also be worsened by stress, he added.
“We want people to be diligent about symptoms.”
The infection is curable with antibiotics, he added.
This week, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is offering free adoptions for all of its animals at both shelters in order to free up space within the kennels and reduce stress on the animals.
KTAR News’ Nailea Leon contributed to this report.
