Amigos de Animales April Newsletter

[NewsLady]

Amigos de Animales April Newsletter March Clinic Report By Alicia McGuigan On Sunday, March 26, Amigos de Animales spayed or neutered 161 animals: 69 dogs and 92 cats.  Thanks to our 5 hardworking vets and intrepid volunteers, we were finished by about 4 PM.  It was a crazy kind of day as we lost electricity around 7:45 in the morning and did not get that back until just after noon.  Happily, one of our volunteers, “Taxi” Phil Hall, had a super generator which he and several others hooked up and got us back in business, well…. at least the vets had power for their lights and other electrical needs.  No fans or lights for the rest of us, we had to be careful in our usage.  Add to that, there was no running water – makes for an interesting day.  A couple of our kind neighbors loaned us some water but sadly, our neighborhood still had no water at the end of the day. Sometimes we see sad or mistreated animals come through the clinic but at this clinic we experienced one of the best stories in a long time.  Carmencita, one of our collectors, brought in a box of seven 2 week old puppies whose mom had been killed by a car.  They needed a mom’s milk or they would die.  Magaly, our appointment secretary, had a mom whose litter of pups had died and who was still lactating.  Serendipity!  The pups were taken to Chomba, who accepted them, and all was well.  I expect we will see these pups at the clinic in a couple of months and then they will need homes. Thank you to everyone who brought food to feed our volunteers.  They say an army runs on its stomach, and so does our clinic.  Many thanks to all!   The next clinic will be Sunday April 30.  For an appointment contact Magaly at: 6563-8686 or boqueteanimales@gmail.com To volunteer contact Alicia at: akcleavenger@hotmail.com   Upcoming Events Amigos de Animales is hosting Game On!  - a fun game-filled evening for those that like to play!  Join us on April 22, 2017 from 4-7 pm for Cornhole Toss, Redneck Golf, Flash Trivia, Left-Right-Center and more!  $5 admission fee, food and drink available and great prizes! On Tuesday April 4, Amigos de Animales honored its founder, Ruby McKenzie, with a plaque that designates our sterilization clinic as The Ruby McKenzie Clinic. Since 2005, Amigos de Animales has spayed or neutered over 12,000 animals, making Boquete and the surrounding communities a much better and healthier place to live. Ruby has always been at the forefront of our organization and we were pleased to celebrate her service over the years to Fundacion Amigos de Animales..   Canine Distemper in Boquete To date, numerous dogs in and around Boquete have been infected with canine distemper.  Please read the article below, from www.ehow.com to learn about this deadly disease and what you can do to prevent it. Canine distemper is a potentially deadly viral infection that attacks numerous organ systems. It’s passed to healthy dogs by infected dogs through shared food bowls or bodily fluids. The infection takes hold and begins to spread within a week. Without prompt medical attention and treatment, a dog’s prognosis is grim. The disease spreads quickly; aggressive medical treatment from the onset is the only way to halt its progression. Distemper Symptoms The first symptoms of distemper include coughing, sneezing, a thick mucous discharge from the eyes and nose and fast onset lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. Your dog’s eyes may be red; he may have a fever. Your pup may not be willing to eat or drink, and you may notice a thickening of his foot pads. Left untreated, the disease quickly will begin to damage your dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems. It also will attack the conjunctival eye membranes. Disease Progression The earliest warning signs of distemper will progress and move into the respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal systems. The coughing and vomiting may escalate. It will start to attack the central nervous system, potentially causing seizures or even paralysis. Dogs with weak immune systems often succumb to the illness within a few weeks of infection. On average, half of adult dogs and 80 percent of puppies who contract distemper will die from it. Diagnosis and Treatment The symptoms of distemper mimic many other conditions, so your vet must take a holistic approach to evaluating your dog’s overall health, medical history and symptoms. He may conduct biochemical tests and a urinalysis to assess immune system function. If the disease progresses, X-rays may be used to check for signs of pneumonia and MRIs may be employed to look for brain lesions. There is no “cure” for distemper. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to protect against secondary infection; IV fluids may be used to keep your dog hydrated and nourished. Your dog’s eyes and nose should be kept clear. Your vet may prescribe phenobarbital and potassium bromide to help with seizures and convulsions. The best outcome is for your dog to build up an immune response to combat the infection. Even dogs who recover may suffer nervous system disorders later in life. Prevention Methods Vaccinate your dog with a series of distemper shots and keep him away from strays or nonvaccinated animals until your vet says his immunity is formed. Young dogs and puppies are most susceptible to contracting distemper, especially nonvaccinated animals who were born to sick mothers. Stray dogs, shelter dogs and pet store pets often see a high rate of infection. When adopting an animal, always ask about vaccination history and previous medical care. Financial Update By Cary Trantham Total Income   4,677.46           Expense         Bank Charge 10.70   Building Repairs/Maint 57.46   Clinic Supplies 251.66   Food/Kitchen Supplies 114.46   Laundry   128.50   Medical   513.22   Office Expense 48.81   Phone Card/Internet 30.00   Salary - Clinic Coordinat 255.00   Utilities   39.19   Vet Services 1,590.00 Total Expense   3,039.00                   1,638.46 As you can see from our monthly financial report, we care for many animals each month, but the cost of medications, anesthesia, supplies, etc. far outweigh the income we generate from payment for our services.  We never turn away an animal, regardless of the owner's ability to pay.  We also have several great Collectors who gather animals from Boquete, Dolega, David and beyond and bring them to our clinic for neutering or spaying.  Please help us continue to care for the health and well-being of Chiriqui's animals by making a donation of any size! DONATE NOW F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K Copyright © 2017  Amigos de Animales, All rights reserved. To contact us: http://aadab.org/contact.php Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list