"As of Thursday, 20 dogs at Chesterfield Square had tested positive for giardia, according to L.A. Animal Services. The common and highly contagious parasitic infection can cause diarrhea in animals as well as people. The first case was found Jan. 22. Walks, play groups and adoption meetings outside kennels were paused for a two-week isolation period to find and treat affected dogs, but that period was extended indefinitely by the shelter's team of veterinarians."
"The goal is to deep-clean kennels daily to prevent spread, Annette Ramirez, Animal Services general manager, said Tuesday at a meeting of the Board of Animal Services Commissioners. But with no tracking system in place for the cleaning of kennels holding the shelter's 230 dogs, some kennels don't get cleaned every day and must be done the next day, she said."
Chesterfield Square Animal Shelter in South Los Angeles experienced a giardia outbreak that began with a first case on Jan. 22 and had 20 dogs test positive by Thursday. Dogs have been confined to kennels with no walks, play groups or outside adoption meetings since the outbreak, initially paused for a two-week isolation that was later extended indefinitely by shelter veterinarians. LA Animal Services functions as an open intake system required to accept all stray, abandoned or injured animals, increasing exposure to unknown health histories. Staff aim to deep-clean kennels daily, but a lack of cleaning-tracking means some kennels are not cleaned every day. Giardia spreads through feces-contaminated water, soil and food, and most dogs recover with proper treatment.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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