| September/October,
2000 Placencia Pets
Distemper
Canine Distemper. Canine distemper is a major
health problem for dogs in Belize. Distemper cannot be cured, so dogs must be regularly
vaccinated to prevent the disease.
A virus causes canine distemper. Although dogs
usually catch distemper from other dogs, the canine distemper virus can be carried on
shoes, tires and clothes. However, canine distemper does not affect people or cats.
Puppies from 3 months to 6 months are most
susceptible to canine distemper and 80% of puppies infected with the disease die.
Distemper kills 50% of adult dogs that catch it.
Canine distemper symptoms start out like a cold,
with the dog or puppy having red, watery eyes and a runny nose. Diarrhea, fever and
vomiting soon follow.
Distemper cannot be cured, so whether a dog or
puppy survives distemper depends on the strength of its immune system. A dog already
weakened by malnutrition, mange or other diseases is more likely to die from distemper.
Care for a dog with distemper is primarily focused on building up its immune system and
preventing secondary diseases such as pneumonia or canine hepatitis. Even if a dog does
live, it may have seizures or other nervous system problems for the rest of its life.
Fortunately, canine distemper can be easily
prevented, even though it can't be cured. Puppies should get their first distemper shot
when they are around 6-8 weeks old. This first shot must be followed up by a second shot
about two weeks later. The dog must then be re-vaccinated once each year for the rest of
its life.
Until puppies are vaccinated, they should be kept
away from other dogs. Puppies born to a mother who has survived distemper may have some
temporary immunity. However, the immunity does not last long and the puppies must still
begin vaccinations when they are 6 to 8 weeks old.
If a dog does catch distemper, its food and water
bowls, bedding and sleeping area should be disinfected with a solution of one cup of
chlorine bleach to one gallon of water.
Feline Distemper. Feline distemper is a completely
different disease than canine distemper, and dogs and people cannot catch feline
distemper.
The medical name for feline distemper is feline
panleukopenia (FP). Other names for feline distemper are infectious enteritis, cat fever
and cat typhoid.
The most common symptoms of feline distemper are
excessive thirst, high fever, vomiting, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite and
dehydration. However, cats with feline distemper have lots of different symptoms, so if a
cat or kitten becomes sick, call a veterinarian immediately (Dr. DeShield's number is
Belize City is 02-33781). Feline distemper usually lasts for 3 or 4 days after the cat or
kitten first develops a high fever, and its temperature will go up and down during the
disease (the cat's temperature will suddenly drop below normal levels right before it
dies).
If a cat survives feline distemper, it usually
becomes immune to the disease. Kittens born to a mother who is immune to feline distemper
are also immune, but only up to the age of about 12 weeks.
As with canine distemper, pet owners should
prevent feline distemper rather than try to cure it. Kittens should get their first
distemper shot when they are between 6 weeks and 12 weeks of age (or as soon as they are
taken from their mother). The first vaccine must be repeated about two weeks later and
then once each year. The vaccine must be given for the first time before the cat has been
exposed to distemper.
Treatment of feline distemper may involve
intravenous feedings, antibiotics and possibly injections of Vitamin B.
When to Visit the Vet
General Good Health
Only a healthy pet is a happy companion. To assure
your pet's daily well being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill
health. The American Veterinary Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult
your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:
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Abnormal discharges
from the nose, eyes, or other body openings. |
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Loss of appetite,
marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption. |
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Difficult, abnormal, or
uncontrolled waste elimination. |
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Abnormal behavior,
sudden viciousness, or lethargy. |
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Abnormal lumps,
limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down. |
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Excessive head shaking,
scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body. |
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Dandruff, loss of hair,
open sores, and a ragged or dull coat. |
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Foul breath or
excessive tarter deposits on teeth. |
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The Placencia Humane Society is the local chapter
of the Belize Humane Society and Animal Shelter. The Placencia Humane Society is a
volunteer organization that relies solely on contributions for its funding - - it does not
receive any government aid. Therefore, contributions are very welcome and may be made in
person at the Purple Space Monkey Internet Café in Placencia Village or by sending
donations to "Placencia Humane Society, c/o Kevin Modera Guide Services, General
Delivery, Placencia, Belize."
Current programs include subsidized neutering and
spaying clinics, monthly veterinary visits for the Placencia Peninsula, and educational
programs for children and adults.
Contact Information: Deborah Coston, Co-Chair:
Phone 06-37001. Mary Toy, Co-Chair, Phone: 06-23243, Email: mtoy@kevinmodera.com; Marilyn Beckstead,
Secretary: Phone: 06-24040, Email: nskry@btl.net or nskry@istar.ca; Barbara Edrick, Treasurer: Phone:
06-23173.
July/August, 2000
Placencia
Pets (by the Placencia Humane Society)
Our local environment includes a variety of risks
for dogs such as mange, rabies, distemper and parasites.
This month's article focuses on internal and
external parasites including symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Internal
Parasites
Heartworm: The worm Dirofilaria immitis
causes heartworm and is transmitted by mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes means lots of
heartworm, so our warm subtropical climate means heartworms are prolific and pose a major
health threat to dogs (and sometimes cats).
- Symptoms: Coughing, decreased tolerance for
exercise, weight loss
- Treatment: A medication is first given to kill the
adult worms. This medication is extremely toxic to the dog's kidneys and liver and can
kill the dog. After the adult heartworms are initially killed, follow-up care and
medication are required to guard against reinfection.
- Prevention: Heartgard/Interceptor is most commonly
prescribed in Belize to prevent heartworm. Dogs are given the medication once a month.
Heartgard/Interceptor must be obtained from a veterinarian.
Other worms that can cause problems in dogs
include tapeworms (caused by the worm Diplidium Canium), hookworms (most commonly
caused by the worm Uncinaria stenocephala), roundworms (caused by the worms Toxocara
canis and Toxocara leonina) and whipworms (caused by the worm Trichuris
vulpis).
All of these worms respond well to regular worming
and fecal checks. Symptoms are as follows:
- Tapeworm: This worm is segmented and attaches
itself to the wall of a dog's small intestine. Each of the worm's segments contains eggs.
Dogs rarely pass an entire tapeworm, but segments that look like small grains of rice may
be seen in the dog's feces or stuck in the hair around the rectum. Dogs with tapeworm will
have a poor coat, heavy appetite, loss of weight and mild diarrhea.
- Hookworm: A mature hookworm is only about 2
centimeters long and must identified using a microscope. A dog with hookworms will have
diarrhea, poor growth and sometimes loss of coordination (in severe infestations)
- Whipworm: An adult whipworm is approximately 7
centimeters long. Eggs have very thick shells and can remain viable for up to 5 years.
Dogs who eat the eggs develop whipworms. A dog with whipworms will lose weight and blood
may be seen in its feces. Diarrhea and anemia can develop in very severe cases.
External
Parasites
Fleas: Fleas are long, thin insects without wings
that run rapidly over a dog's skin. Fleas can jump, making them hard to catch. Fleas lay
their eggs in a dog's bed, on carpets, along baseboards and in upholstered furniture. Eggs
hatch within 2-16 days and the larvae take another 7-10 days to reach maturity. Once the
adult fleas have hatched, they search for their food - blood. Fleas stay on a dog only
long enough for a meal.
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Symptoms: scratching
and observation of live fleas or "flea dirt" (small dark specs that look like
pepper) |
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Treatment: Bathe dog in
a flea shampoo to kill live fleas. If the dog lives in the house, wash all bedding and
carpets and spray all baseboards, carpets and furniture with flea spray. |
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Prevention: Spray or
powder the dog every two weeks with a flea spray or powder that has a 14-day residual
effect. Flea collars are somewhat effective, but some dogs develop rashes on the neck
where it is touched by the flea collar. New veterinary products such as Revolution
kill fleas when they feed on the dog's blood. These new medications must be applied
monthly to the dog's skin and must be obtained from a veterinarian. |
Lice: Lice are light brown, fat insects without
wings. They have short legs that move slowly on the surface of skin and lay eggs that are
called nits - especially around the neck and ears. Adult lice feed on the skin and lay
eggs on the hair of the dog. Lice infect dogs through close contact with other dogs.
- Symptoms: Scratching
- Treatment: Bathe the dog with an insecticidal
shampoo (more than one treatment may be required)
- Prevention: limit contact with potentially infected
dogs
Ticks: Ticks are brownish white rounded insects
that can grow to the size of a bean or pea when engorged. Ticks bury their heads in the
dog's skin. Adult ticks lay eggs on blades of grass and shrubs. When dogs brush against
the grass or shrubs, the tick attaches itself to the dog.
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Symptoms: Visual
identification during grooming |
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Treatment: Part the
dog's hair and soak with either alcohol or ether. The alcohol or ether causes the tick to
loosen its hold on the skin so that it can be removed using tweezers (the tick should be
grabbed with the tweezers as closely to the dog's body as possible and pulled out quickly
but firmly). If the head of the tick is not removed, a local skin infection can occur. |
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Prevention: Bathe dogs
regularly with a dip designed to control ticks. |
Demodex Folliculorum: This microscopic mite that
usually causes no problems. However, the mites can sometimes rapidly multiply and cause
severe dermatitis and hair loss. Severe infestations are more common in shorthaired dogs,
and the tendency for severe infestations may be inherited. This condition must be
diagnosed with skin scrapings and microscopic examination. It is not transferable to
humans.
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Symptoms: pustules,
sore spots on the body in areas such as the head, hocks and elbows, loss of hair |
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Treatment: Veterinary
diagnosis and treatment are required. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the
infestation, and may have to be treated through the life of the dog. |
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Prevention: None |
Otodectes Cynotis (Ear Mites): This is a tiny
mange mite found in the ears of animals.
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Symptoms: Constant ear
scratching and head shaking. |
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Treatment: Otodectes
cyanotis must be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian |
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Prevention: None |
Cheyletiella Species: A small parasite barely
visit to the naked eye - - often known as walking dandruff. Usually not a health problem
unless heavy infestation cause skin scaling. The Cheyletiella mite has been known to cause
a rash on some people.
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Symptoms:
"Dandruff" and scaling of the skin |
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Treatment: Routine
bathing with an insecticidal shampoo. |
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Prevention: None |
************************
The Placencia Humane Society is the local chapter
of the Belize Humane Society and Animal Shelter. The Placencia Humane Society is a
volunteer organization that relies solely on contributions for its funding - - it does not
receive any government aid. Therefore, contributions are very welcome and may be made in
person at the Purple Space Monkey Internet Café in Placencia Village or by sending
donations to "Placencia Humane Society, c/o Kevin Modera Guide Services, General
Delivery, Placencia, Belize."
Current programs include subsidized neutering and
spaying clinics, monthly veterinary visits for the Placencia Peninsula, and educational
programs for children and adults.
Contact Information: Deborah Coston, Co-Chair:
Phone 06-37001. Mary Toy, Co-Chair, Phone: 06-23243, Email: mtoy@kevinmodera.com; Marilyn Beckstead,
Secretary: Phone: 06-24040, Email: nskry@btl.net or nskry@istar.ca; Barbara Edrick, Treasurer: Phone:
06-23173.
May, 2000
PLACENCIA
PETS
 Spay/Neuter Clinic: Thanks to the generosity of donors,
friends and supporters, the veterinary team of Dr. Michael DeShield and Miriam DeShield,
and the financial help of our parent organization, the Belize Humane Society and Animal
Shelter (BHSAS), during the weekend of 30 April - 1 May, 2000:
- 14 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered (11
subsidized by funding from the Placencia Humane Society and the BHSAS);
- 25 pets were vaccinated; and
- 6 kittens were adopted.
The Placencia Humane Society and the BHSAS offer
financial assistance to local pet owners for veterinary care, with particular emphasis on
spaying, neutering and vaccinations.
Veterinary clinics are held every 4-6 weeks in
Placencia. Local residents can make appointments and request financial assistance by
contacting the Placencia Humane Society at 23243. The next veterinary clinic will be at
the end of May, 2000 (date to be announced).
 Children's Movie Matinee: Each
month, the Placencia Humane Society sponsors an afternoon movie for Placencia area kids at
BJ's Restaurant. Movie themes focus on animals and pets.
Incredible Journey started our movie
matinee series in March 2000. Dumbo made its Placencia debut in April. Shown at
left is a portion of the Incredible Journey audience waiting for the movie to begin.
The next matinee will be on 28 May 2000 at 3:00
p.m. at BJ's and will feature the new children's animated movie, Tarzan. Admission
is 50 cents BZD.
A short educational program about pet care
precedes each movie.
Animal Control and
Abuse. Section 14 of Chapter 115 of the Laws of
Belize gives a magistrate the authority to order the destruction of a dog the magistrate
deems to be vicious or savage. The magistrate may also fine the owner of a vicious or
savage dog. Under Chapter 115, an "owner" can be any person in whose
"custody, charge, or possession, or upon whose premises any dog is found or seen . .
."
Section 14 additionally gives a magistrate the
authority to order a dog's owner to keep it under proper control if the magistrate finds
that the dog is likely to spread disease, have a habit of persistent barking, or to be a
nuisance for any other reason.
Section 6 of Chapter 85 of the Laws of Belize
provides for fines OR a civil action for damages against anyone who "beats,
ill-treats, over-drives, over-loads or tortures [any animal], or causes or procures [any
animal] to be ill-treated, beaten, over-driven, abused or tortured . . . " The legal
definition of "torture" is the infliction of bodily pain, and abuse can include
the failure to properly feed or water or provide proper medical care to an animal.
The only way to enforce these laws is for all of
us to take personal responsibility for the health and welfare of animals on the Peninsula.
Therefore, please contact the Seine Bight or Placencia police immediately and file a
formal complaint if you know of a vicious or savage dog or witness the ill-treatment,
abuse or torture of an animal.
Donations. Our needs are many, and our resources few. Monetary donations are
always welcome and may be made at the Purple Space Monkey Internet Café in Placencia
Village. Monetary donations will be used for veterinary care, and to purchase pet care
supplies for distribution on the Peninsula.
We also welcome in-kind contributions, and have
put together the following "wish list" of items that would be very helpful to
our Humane Society work.
Placencia
Humane Society "Wish List"
Pharmaceuticals
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Revolution (for cats
and dogs) |
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Ivermectin |
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Heartguard |
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FrontLine |
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Flea powders and
shampoos |
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Adult educational
materials (spaying, neutering, pet care, pet diseases, etc.) |
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Pet carriers |
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Lapel buttons and
imprinter |
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Dog collars and leashes |
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Cat collars |
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Dog tags and tag
imprinter |
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Children's
animal-related videotapes |
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Children's pet-related
books, coloring books and arts 'n crafts materials |
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Grooming products
(brushes, clippers, combs, etc.) |
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Emergency medical
supplies (bandages, splints, antibiotics, etc.) |
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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Sunday evening, April 2, was indeed A Night To
Remember in Placencia Village. The Placencia Humane Society presented a program of local
talent who wowed their audience.
The program began with a magic act presented by
Dylan Goss. His prestidigitation astonished all present. The next David Copperfield
perhaps?
The Placencia Dance Group, led by Marcia Fox, made
their debut to a tremendous ovation. The training and hard work that went into their
performance was evident. The young people looked smashing in their bright green t-shirts
as they performed their routine with precision and enthusiasm.
A Humane Society event wouldn’t be complete
without an animal act. Pixie the Yorkshire terrier performed with her trainer, Mary Smith.
This amazing little pooch can speak, shake a paw, roll over and lie down!
Miss Lilly, the village comedienne, had her
audience roaring with laughter as she recounted her first airplane flight to visit her
daughter in New Orleans. At the conclusion of her performance, we were treated to a
glimpse of Miss Lilly, the "model"!
Tonya Patrick gave a musical rendition of two
Patsy Cline numbers. She shared with the spectators her love of this late, great singer.
Ted Berlin, a classical guitarist, brought a
magical feel to the tropical evening. The soft, gentle tones of his guitar entranced the
audience.
Miss Carrie Fairweather of Serenade Hotel recited
two poems which she also composed. The depth of her feeling for Belize was conveyed by her
emotional delivery of these beautiful writings which moved all of those listening.
 Marriuci Levoni, a talented dancer,
entertained us with a Belly Dance. She not only demonstrated the beauty of this ancient
form of dance but also educated us as to the history and meaning of the moves, which she
performed.
Jake Roberts of the Purple Space Monkey acted as
emcee for the evening, ensuring that the evening flowed flawlessly.
Our thanks go especially to Shelley and
Sonny’s Resort for their generosity in providing the setting for this event as well
as providing food and drink for all. Also thank you to those who donated the prizes which
made the raffle a success.
Thank you too for the support of those who
attended. The number present exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the support of the
people of the village for the efforts of the Humane Society in helping care for the pets
whom we all love and enjoy.
March,
2000
Thank You! Thanks to a
gratifying outpouring of community support, the Placencia Humane Society's first
fundraiser, "Wild Things, Birds and Beasts of Belize," was a "wild"
success.
Funds raised are sufficient to allow the Humane
Society to subsidize spaying and neutering of more than twice the number of area pets
originally planned.
Applications for financial assistance will be
distributed to schoolchildren in both Seine Bight and Placencia Villages. Applications
will also be available at a number of locations in each Village. Look for posters
providing additional information about applying for financial assistance.
Thanks to all who contributed to making this event
such a success! Also, don't forget about the following upcoming events:
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Sunday, March 12, 2000:
Sunday Children's Movie Matinee, BJ's Restaurant, Placencia Village, 1-3 p.m. Admission 50
cents BZD. A short educational pet care program will precede the movie. The children's
movie matinee will be a monthly event and donations of pet-related movie videos are
needed. |
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Saturday and Sunday,
March 18 and 19, 2000: General Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Michael DeShield of Belize City.
Call 23243 for an appointment. |
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Sunday, March 19, 2000:
Placencia Peninsula Talent Show, Sonny's Restaurant, 4 -7 p.m. |
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Saturday and Sunday,
April 29 - 30, 2000: General Veterinary Clinic and Reduced-Cost Spaying and Neutering
Clinic (Dr. Michael DeShield, Belize City). |
Pet Care Info: TVT
TVT stands for "Transmissible Venereal
Tumor." TVT affects dogs and is widespread in Belize (including Placencia). A dog
that has TVT will die if the disease is not treated.
Breeding activity spreads TVT, and both male and
female dogs can get the disease. The Humane Society knows of several cases of TVT in
Placencia (including at least one death from the disease).
Because the disease is very contagious, chances
are high that any unspayed or un-neutered dog that has been allowed to run free has or
will acquire TVT.
Symptoms include unexplained bleeding (for female
dogs, look for signs of being in heat much longer than usual) and growths (tumors) in the
genital area.
Although TVT is a form of cancer, TVT can usually
be completely cured through a series of shots of the drug Vincristine.
However, TVT can be acquired again and again so
long as a male or female dog remains sexually active.
Therefore, the only way to prevent repeated
outbreaks of TVT is to have a dog neutered or spayed - or to keep breeding dogs completely
away from other dogs.
If you have a dog that has not yet been spayed or
neutered, watch for the symptoms described above. If you suspect TVT, please have your dog
checked by the veterinarian at the next Veterinary Clinic on March 18 and 19. Also, please
consider having your dog spayed or neutered to help prevent the further spread of this
disease in Placencia.
February,
2000:
Upcoming Events
February 29, 2000. "Wild Things: Birds and
Beasts of Belize." Lecture and slide presentation from 8 - 10 p.m. at Serenity
Resort by Alan Richards, ornithologist
and author of The Birdwatchers A-Z, Waterside Birds, Seabirds, Birds of Prey, Pocket
Guide of Seabirds and Pocket Guide of Shorebirds, James
Beveridge, Belize wildlife photographer and David
Vernon, naturalist and southern Belize eco-guide. Cash bar reception
follows with music by classical guitarist, Ted Berlin.
Tickets are $25.00 BZD per person and reservations may be made through the Purple
Space Monkey Internet Café in Placencia Village. Proceeds to be used for educational
programs and reduced-cost spaying and neutering clinics.
March 25, 2000. Placencia Village
Talent Show. Featuring stories by Village storyteller, Miss Lily. From 8 - 11 p.m. at The Purple
Space Monkey Internet Café, Placencia Village. Additional details in the next Placencia
Breeze.
April 29-30, 2000: Reduced-Cost
Spaying and Neutering Clinic, Placencia Village. Appointments
required. Applications for financial assistance available from Humane Society members and
the Purple Space Monkey Internet Café.
January, 2000 Pet
Care Clinic
January, 2000 Pet Care Clinic
Statistics:
38 dogs and cats vaccinated for
rabies (no charge for vaccination - donated by Belize Humane Society)
3 cats neutered (1 subsidized by
the Belize Humane Society)
2 cats and 2 dogs spayed
24 dogs vaccinated with 6 in 1
distemper combination (no cats received vaccinations other than for rabies - vets have not
been able to get feline vaccination serums since November, 1999)
1 dog euthanised (provided without
charge by Belize Humane Society - donation received for euthanasia service)
1 dog and 1 cat treated for ear
mites
3 dogs treated for skin lesions
Blood pulled for analysis (2 dogs)
1 dog anaesthetized to remove
beefworms
Growths surgically removed from one
dog
1 dog examined for hematoma in
groin
Paw stitched on 1 dog (lesion/cut)
Tropical Pet
Care
Placencia is blessed with warm tropical weather
year-round. Great for fishing, diving, snorkeling and all those other wonderful
warm-weather sports, but sometimes not so great for household pets.
For example, heartworm-inducing mosquitoes and
flea and tick populations often reach dismaying levels in tropical climates where breeding
is year-round. Pets can also easily become overheated and even suffer heat strokes during
hot weather (puppies, kittens, Persian cats, short-nosed dogs such as bulldogs and pugs,
overweight pets and older dogs and cats tend to be most susceptible to the heat).
Therefore, the following precautions are
recommended to help keep Placencia pets healthy and comfortable in our tropical paradise:
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Have pets (dogs and
cats) checked for heartworm by a veterinarian and ask the vet about recommended heartworm
control programs |
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Regularly brush pets to
remove loose fur and get rid of ticks and fleas |
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Provide pets with
plenty of cool fresh water |
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Make sure outdoor pets
have access to shade |
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Don't confine pets in
any small, poorly ventilated enclosure (such as a dog house) |
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Avoid clipping a dog's
fur in an effort to keep the dog cool. A dog's fur actually insulates it against the heat,
and close clipping can lead to sunburn |
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Keep an eye on pets and
learn to recognize heatstroke symptoms which include panting, a staring or anxious
expression, failure to respond to commands, warm, dry skin, extremely high temperature,
dehydration, rapid heartbeat and collapse. Treat heatstroke by bathing the pet in cool
water to lower the body temperature - a fan also helps. |
Local Contact
Information: Email - petsplacencia@yahoo.com. Co-chairs: Jake
Roberts, phone 24094, email: jrbelize@yahoo.com.
Debbie Coston, phone: 06-37001.
Thank You. Our
thanks to Johnny Conn for his donation of children's videotapes for our educational
program.
January,
2000: Pet care problems that are run-of-the-mill in places like the
U.S. and Canada can become major health problems in tropical climates where pets often run
free.
For example, mange is a continuing source of worry
for Placencia dog owners.
Contagious Mange.
The most common type of mange in Placencia is "contagious" (sarcoptic) mange.
Both dogs AND people can develop contagious mange.
Contagious mange causes terrible itching in dogs,
along with skin reddening, hair thinning, oozing sores, and crusts and scabs. Untreated,
an infected dog will lose much of its hair and can develop severe bacterial skin
infections.
As its name suggests, contagious mange spreads
easily from dog to dog and from dogs to people. People can "catch" contagious
mange by direct contact with an infected dog, or by sleeping or sitting on furniture, rugs
and beds used by an infected dog. (The good news for humans is that the mite that causes
contagious mange can only live for a few weeks on human skin, so once the dog's mange is
successfully treated, people mange will disappear on its own.)
Preventing and Treating
Contagious Mange. The best way to prevent or limit contagious mange is by
keeping a dog clean and well nourished through regular baths (about once every two weeks)
and a diet of good-quality dog food. Pet owners should also attempt to limit pet contact
with infected dogs.
If a dog does develop contagious mange, the
standard form of treatment is two doses of the drug Ivermectin, two weeks apart. Depending
on the severity of the mange infection, steroids may be required to relieve the intense
itching until the Ivermectin begins to work. If the untreated mange damaged the dog's
skin, frequent medicated baths may be necessary.
Some people also report having successfully
treated contagious mange by applying burned motor oil to the dogs skin. Veterinarians do
NOT recommend this treatment because dogs can be poisoned by licking the oil (even burned
oil) and the burned oil can be very irritating to the dog's skin.
Equally important, burning the oil releases
dangerous substances into the air and ground - substances that can cause cancer, birth
defects and other diseases in humans!!!
Ted Berlin has reported some success in treating
contagious mange by bathing dogs with mangrove-bark infused water. Mangrove water is not
harmful and may be worth trying on dogs with mild cases of mange.
Inherited Mange.
Placencia's second most common type of mange is "inherited" (or demodectic)
mange. Inherited mange is not considered contagious and usually strikes puppies under 12
months old and older dogs with some other disease. (Some purebred dogs may have an inborn
susceptibility to demodectic mange). Kittens and cats sometimes develop inherited mange.
Inherited mange is much harder to treat and
requires periodic rechecking and skin scrapings by a vet. Antibiotics, benzoyl
peroxide-based shampoos, antiparasitic agents and sometimes immune stimulants are often
necessary to successfully treat inherited mange.
Diagnosing Mange.
Unfortunately, only a vet can tell for certain whether a dog has contagious or inherited
mange - - or an entirely different problem such as an autoimmune disease, a flea allergy
or contact dermatitis.
Therefore, if you think your dog might have mange
- get it to a vet!
The Placencia Humane Society coordinates
veterinary visits to the Placencia area. The next veterinary visit to Placencia is January
15 and 16, 2000. Pet owners living north of the airstrip should contact Debbie Coston at
06-37001. Pet owners south of the airstrip should contact Jake Roberts at 24094.
Maya-Island Air also will transport pets to Belize
City for veterinary care at a reduced cost ($20 BZD one-way - Maya-Island Air also has
carriers available for the pets). Dr. Mike DeShield's office will pick up the pet in
Belize City and consult the owner about treatment by phone (Dr. DeShield's phone number is
.02-33781).
Humane Society
Fundraiser. "Birds of Belize," a lecture and slide show by
internationally renowned ornithologist Alan Richards, Belize's acclaimed wildlife
photographer, Jim Bevridge, and Placencia's own birding expert, David Vernon of Toadal
Adventures, will be held at 8:00 p.m. on February 29, 2000 at Serenity Resort. The program
will include desserts by local bakers and an open bar. Look for more details at area
businesses during January and February.
Local Contact
Information: Email - petsplacencia@yahoo.com.
Co-chairs: Jake Roberts, phone: 24094, email: jrbelize@yahoo.com;
Debbie Coston, phone: 06-37001.
Thank-You.
Our Chapter's heartfelt thanks go to:
- Rick and Norma Paine of Stone
Island, Florida: donation of pet-related coloring books and crayons for local
children; and
- Linda and John Provich of
Design Dynamics and Pittsburgh Posters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: donation of
printed Humane Society banners and other poster materials.
December,
1999: Belize has a long history of protecting pets and other
animals.
For example, since 1865 anyone guilty of cruelty
to an animal may be liable for civil fines and damages resulting from the cruelty.
(Cruelty includes ill-treatment, beatings and general abuse such as failure to provide
sufficient food and water.)
Constables have the authority to arrest persons
suspected of animal abuse. (Reports of abuse should be directed to local police NOT the
Humane Society.)
Although Belize recognizes the importance of
humane animal treatment, responsible pet and animal care in an area such as Placencia can
be both challenging and expensive.
For example, Placencia has no local veterinarian.
Pet owners must either wait until a vet from San Ignacio or Belize City decides to visit
the area - or incur the expense of round trip airfare to fly a pet to Belize City for
treatment.
 In addition, basic pet care
items may be difficult or impossible to find locally, and are often very expensive due to
the high cost of transporting items to the Placencia area.
The Placencia Humane Society Chapter was formed to
provide assistance to local pet owners through educational programs, regularly scheduled
veterinary clinics and sponsorship of reduced-cost routine veterinary care (shots,
neutering and pet care products and medication).
This column will appear monthly in the Placencia
Breeze (thank you BTIA) and is part of the Chapter's educational efforts. Columns focus on
providing information about local pets and wildlife, basic pet care information and
upcoming Humane Society events.
Events tentatively scheduled through May, 2000
include a reduced-cost rabies and neutering/spaying clinic and a children's art contest.
In addition, a cocktail party/lecture/slide show about the birds of Belize is planned for
February, 2000 and will be hosted by the renowned ornithologist Alan Richards (author of American
Seashore Birds) and Belize's own Jim Beveridge, known internationally for his
wildlife photography.
Upcoming pet care columns will include information
on mange, neutering, grooming and basic dog training.
Donation cans will soon be available at local area
businesses.
For additional information or questions about the
Placencia Humane Society Chapter, please email us at petsplacencia@yahoo.com, or contact our
co-chairs, Jake Roberts at 24094 (email - jrbelize@yahoo.com),
and Debbie Coston at 014-9687, or our Secretary/Treasurer, Candy Power at 23110.
November,
1999: The newly formed Placencia Chapter of the
Belize Humane Society held its first meeting at the Pickled Parrot on Sunday, October 31,
1999.
Graham Cabral is heading up the
Chapter's first project - - an educational program to teach children about responsible pet
care and the humane treatment of animals.
Certificates will be awarded to children who
complete the educational program. They will also be eligible to enter an art contest
focusing on Placencia's pets. Prizes will be awarded for the best artwork.
Winning artwork will be used on the Chapter's
promotional and fundraising materials.
Fundraising canisters are now being distributed to
participating area businesses. Donations will initially be used to purchase prizes for the
children's art contest.
Jake Roberts and Debbie Coston are co-chairs of
the Chapter. They are also coordinating regularly scheduled veterinarian visits for local
pets. Pet owners south of the air strip should contact Jake at 24094 or
jrbelize@yahoo.com. Pet owners north of the air strip should contact Debbie at 014-9687. |
