Page 8 April 24, 2014 well-socialized lady who enjoys the company of both dogs and people. I have many years of love to give and would be a great companion if you’ll just give me a chance.” If you are interested in Gretchen, please email info@msfr.org for more information. Gretchen is a mini-Schnauzer who misses having a family. Happy Tails Wowser Schnauzers “My name is Harmony and that’s what I’m looking for, along with lots of love and my forever family. I am a very affectionate nine-year old, peopleloving, female Miniature Schnauzer. After spending my whole life being a loyal, loving companion, my previous owner rewarded me by dumping me at a kill shelter. I was discarded like a bag of trash and am so grateful that the MSFRR folks rescued me. They took me to their vet because my teeth were terrible and most had to be extracted. The vet also discovered that I have some high liver levels, so now I’m on a low-fat diet that will get me back on track and keep me at my current weight of 17 pounds. Although I am tolerant of other dogs, I would prefer being an only dog.” If you are interested in Harmony, please email info@msfr.org for more information. “If you’re wondering what JJ is short for, it’s JoJo! I’m a 17-pound, five-year old, purebred Miniature Schnauzer. I’m a pretty handsome guy, if I have to say so myself. Once you meet me, you’ll have to agree that I have great ears, distinguished markings and a face that will melt your heart. I love to go for walks and maybe that’s why I ended up at an LA County shelter as a stray. I would love to have a family that will love me as much as I will love them--I’m a real people pleaser. Affection is my middle name and I even get along with other dogs! Please come to adoptions and see what a catch I am!” If you are interested in JJ, please email info@msfr.org for more information. “Hello! I’m an eight-year old, female, purebred Miniature Schnauzer named Gretchen. My life was turned topsy- Harmony loves people and would like to be their only dog. By Dr. Greg Perrault A recent report out of Florida shows a spike in the number of cases of Leptospirosis in dogs this year. Leptospirosis is a potentially dangerous bacterial disease for animals and humans. It is a zoonotic disease which means a disease that is shared between animals and humans. This worldwide disease is found throughout the United States but is more common in warmer parts of the country and along the Northeast coast. The leptospirosis bacteria is tiny and corkscrew shaped. It is usually transmitted through contact with urine or tissue from an infected animal. The bacteria likes to burrow through a mucous membrane such as the mouth or the eye. There are between 100 and 200 human cases in the United States every year and about half occur in Hawaii. According to the Centers for Disease Control, although the incidence in the United States is relatively low, leptospirosis is considered to be the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. There are dozens of different strains of leptospirosis, also known as serovars. There are currently eight serovars that are known to infect dogs. Unfortunately, these same strains also infect humans. Infected dogs have been shown to shed the bacteria for months if not treated properly. The signs seen in the dog may start out non-specific. They include lethargy, depres- Harvey is a sweet Golden Retriever who plays well with others. Best Friends and Family Congratulations to Turner and his new family. Turner, now named Skoli, joins Guinness, previously known as Scooner, who is a 2008 MSFR alumnus. When these two met, they were instant buddies and now they’re siblings! Life is going to be great for this family. If you have any questions about a particular dog’s availability, you can email us at info@msfr.org. Please visit all of our Miniature Schnauzers & Friends rescues at the adoption fair held every Saturday from noon-3:30 p.m., or check out our website, www.msfr.org. Our adoption fairs take place at Petco, 537 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach,California. Schnauzers! Bet you can’t adopt just one! • Turner now has a new sibling as well as a new happy family! JJ is very handsome and would love walking with a new owner. Protect Pets (and Humans) From Leptospirosis sion, decreased appetite, and vomiting. Some will have a fever and abdominal pain and changes in urine frequency. Other individuals will remain asymptomatic which means they show no signs whatsoever. Symptoms can also vary with the serovar causing the infection. The severity of the disease varies greatly in both animals and people. However, severe cases are seen involving liver and kidney failure and in some cases bleeding in the lungs. Caught early, dogs respond very well to several antibiotics. However, severe cases that are not treated are often fatal. People that are in the pet industry, such as trainers, dog daycare workers and groomers are at an increased risk of contracting leptospirosis from infected pets. People and dogs that enjoy outdoor activity, such as camping and hiking, may be more likely to contact the bacteria. But even the tiny lap dog can be exposed to leptospirosis during morning walks on dew-covered grass. Dogs that walk in areas that are frequented by wildlife are at increased risk of contracting the disease. Rodents and other pest animals are the most common carrier of the disease. When an infected animal urinates, the bacteria can live in the soil and water for weeks to months. There are ways to protect you and your pet against this disease: • Keep rodents and other pest animals under control. • Vaccinate. There are vaccines available for dogs. Talk to your veterinarian about risk factors in your particular dog and whether a vaccination is indicated. While the vaccine may not be 100% effective, it will greatly reduce the chance of your dog contracting the disease or becoming a carrier. • Avoid handling urine from an infected pet before it has received proper treatment. • Clean contaminated surfaces with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. If your pet exhibits any of the signs mentioned, especially acute kidney injury, have them seen right away by your veterinarian and keep leptospirosis on your list. Dr Greg Perrault owns and operates Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital in Long Beach. If you have other topics you would like him to answer in following articles, please drop him an email at cats.dogs@verizon.net. • turvy when my elderly owner passed away about a year ago. A family member took me in for a year, but then couldn’t keep me--so they took me to an inland shelter. When the nice people f r o m M S F R met me, I really needed some TLC. My nails were so long, they curled. I needed a dental, a physical and a grooming. I had to have two teeth extracted, but my blood w o r k c a m e back normal and I’ve been t r a n s f o r m e d with my makeover. I would like to lose a few pounds with my current weight being 24 pounds. However, I’m a happy, “They call me Harvey even though I’m not a six-foot rabbit. I am, however, a two-year old, male Golden Retriever mix who was rescued from the Lancaster Shelter. I’m 35 pounds of happiness and fun. I get along great with other dogs, have a sweet disposition and I love people.” Harvey can be seen anytime at Yellow Brick Road Doggie Playcare in El Segundo. Call 310-606-5507. •
Lawndale 04_24_14
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