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PAGE 4D Laredo Morning Times Sunday, April 1, 2001
Local News
Texas Agriculture
Foot-and-Mouth disease facts
BY GEORGE L.
GONZALES
County Extension Agent
Due to numerous inquires
by local and area ranchers
about newspaper articles
dealing with foot-and-mouth
disease, we are including in
this week’s article a fact
s h e e t ,
which is
being dis-
Times courtesy photo tributed by
the Texas
LULAC officers Animal
The Laredo League of United Latin American Citizens Council 12 elected new officers recently. H e a l t h
The council works all year to raise scholarship funds to assist local youths. LULAC is a national Commis-
organization with councils located all over the United States who work actively for the rights of sion. All of
Latin American citizens. The new officers are, from left, Joe Howard, chairman of ceremony; this article’s ed, animals become “virus been held for at least five
Sammy Moreno, council 12 president; Fidel Flores, first vice president; Hector Rogerio, second information factories,” capable of spread- days before returning to the
vice president; Juan Esparza, third vice president; Amando Chapa, secretary; Roy Garcia, trea- G.L. Gonzales has been ing high numbers of viral par- U.S.
surer; Jose Sanchez, parliamentarian; Herbie Benavides, chaplain; and Raul Martinez, Sgt.-at- provided by ticles to other animals and into * Before returning to the
the Texas Animal Health the environment. U.S., launder or dry clean all
Commission public informa- Infected swine, in particular, clothing, jackets or coats!
tion office. can release millions of viral * If you have visited a farm
Animal Corner Foot-and-mouth disease is particles when they exhale. abroad, or if you‘ve traveled
caused by a fast-spreading The virus can become air- and live, work or plan to visit a
virus, and all cloven-footed borne and can be inhaled by farm in the U.S., shower,
Adoptathon event a success animals are susceptible to the
disease.
Nearly 100 percent of the
nearby susceptible animals.
People who have been
around infected animals also
shampoo, and change into
clean clothing. Wash or dry
clean clothes—don‘t risk tak-
BY ISABEL MENDEZ a fungal infection most com- house? Do you have a animals in an exposed herd are capable of carrying the ing the FMD virus home on
Animal Shelter director monly caused by the organ- fenced-in yard? Will your will become ill, and young ani- virus in their nasal passages contaminated clothing!
isms Microsporum canis or dog need to get along with mals may die from the dis- for as long as 28 hours. * Remove all dirt or organic
Tail-Wagging News: The Microsporum gypseum. other dogs? This is a critical ease. A single case of FMD would material from shoes, luggage,
Laredo Animal Protective In cats and dogs, ringworm evaluation, one that can In Texas, these animals impact every segment of the personal items, etc. Wipe the
Society is still pleased and spreads from animal to ani- really make or break the per- would include cattle, bison, lla- U.S.‘ multi-billion dollar animal items with disinfectant.
bragging on the volunteers mal through direct contact manency of the relationship. mas, domestic and wild (feral) and animal product export * Don‘t bring prohibited prod-
that were involved with the and contact with infected Whatever your true swine, sheep, goats, captive market. ucts home.
Pet Adoptathon held two bedding, cages, and food answers to these questions, and wild deer and elk. * Consumers can lose confi- * Avoid contact with livestock
weeks ago at the Laredo dishes. It can live for a long they will help you and your Blisters (vesicles) may form dence in the safety of meat or wildlife for at least five days
Civic Center. Volunteers time in the environment family decide whether or not in the animal‘s mouth or muz- food products. when you get home!
were a key element is the because it is made up of you are really ready to take zle, causing slobbering and * Prohibitions would be Report suspicious cases
success of this event. environmentally resistant on the responsibility of a dog drooling. Later, the blisters will placed on the sale and inter- immediately! Call the USDA‘s
This col- spores that normally live in and make a lifetime commit- break, forming raw patches or national shipment of animals Veterinary Services at 512-
umn is one the soil. ment. ulcers. Blisters and sores also and animal products. 916-5552 during normal
way to Cats that are immune-com- A Wave of the Paw to: can develop on the animal‘s * Eradication costs are very working hours. After hours, on
reach out promised (as with feline Henry Cuellar Elementary teats, causing mastitis in dairy high. All animals exposed to weekends and holidays, call
and let all leukemia), and puppies, are School Pre-kinder students cattle. Blisters on the feet the virus must be destroyed to the Texas Animal Health
Laredoans particularly susceptible. who got a chance to visit result in lameness. Affected prevent the spread of dis- Commission at 800-550-
k n o w Most cases of ringworm are with puppies from the LAPS animals will be reluctant or ease. 8242. Additional information
a b o u t diagnosed with either a Animal Shelter. The teach- unable to drink, eat or walk, * Vaccines provide only tem- can be obtained from TAHC‘s
activities microscopic examination of ers and staff were equally and they will lose weight porary protection and revacci- Public Information Office at
t h a t the hair shaft, a skin culture, delighted with the furry visi- rapidly. Swine and cattle usu- nation is needed at six-month 512-719-0710, or the USDA‘s
involve our or in cats, with the use of a tors. ally will show signs of disease intervals. Vaccine use is limit- Public Information Office at
Isabel Mendez within two to seven days after
shelter and black light, which makes the The outstanding efforts of ed to outbreaks only, and vac- 301-734-8073.
volunteers. If you know organism glow a fluorescent those involved just shows being exposed to the virus. cinated animals must be
these people, pat them on green. one more time that teachers, Sheep and goats may have slaughtered before interna-
the back and let them know The first signs will usually administrators and staff are only minimal clinical signs of tional trade can be resumed.
you are grateful, too, for their be brittle hair and hair loss. A all reaching for that ultimate disease after an incubation * For at least three months
involvement. classic sign is dry, scaly, cir- goal: making tomorrow‘s period of up to14 days. after the eradication of an out-
Our quiet heroes include cular lesions about one-half leaders better prepared for break—or at least three
Carmen Guzman, Laura A. to two inches in diameter. their responsibilities. Thanks FMD Outbreaks Worldwide months after the slaughter of
Jimenez, Lulu Newman, Treatment is geared at the for the ‘bony‘ gifts, too! the last vaccinated animal—
Rene De La Viña, Gloria animal and its environment. Foot-and-mouth disease an affected country is banned
Martinez, Scott McCauley, Hair surrounding lesions is has been diagnosed in 34 from shipping meat or meat
Iris Herrera, Phillip Garcia, clipped and a topical anti- countries during the past 18 products to international trad-
Mrs. Sullivan and Brenda fungal treatment used, along months. ing partners.
Aikanoff, the Laredo Civic with other treatments that Foot-and-mouth disease If you are traveling abroad,
Center Manager Freddie your veterinarian will advise. can be transmitted in a variety make sure and take precau-
Gutierrez, Jorge Arredondo Ringworm infections are of ways, the most common tions.
of Radio 95FM, Mary Nell usually controlled in two- to being direct contact with an * Avoid contact with animals
Sanchez of KGNS-TV and three-weeks. The entire liv- infected animal. Once infect- or areas where animals have
KVTV-TV staffers for their ing area must be disinfect-
publicity efforts. ed, including everything that
Animal Protective Society the pet may have had con-
Animal Shelter staff and tact with. Bleaching the
workers involved included environment or using disin-
Benjamin Gutierrez, Rogelio fectants like betadine solu-
Cisneros, Alberto Tellez, tion or a germicidal cleaner
Tony Caudillo, Enrique and will take care of the prob-
Isabel Mendez and Laura De lem.
La Rosa. It is very important that
A special group of volun- everyone in the household
teers was comprised of the be thoroughly examined for
US Border Patrol Explorer signs of infestation. It is also
Post 1987. Those present particularly important to treat
were Jennifer Butcher, Luis all the pets in the household.
Aguila, Ericka Bernal, Julie Paw Imprints: It is amaz-
Perry, Scott Perry, Eddie ing to realize how many peo-
Richmond and Chris ple do not really know them-
Nickolson. Their advisors selves well enough before
and coordinators were choosing a pet! There is
Jaime Castillo, Sara A. nothing convenient about
Guerra and Douglas owning a dog. It takes a lot of
Lindberg. effort, but you will be reward-
It would not be possible to ed with the most amazing
accomplish any event with- and loving companion you
out the efforts of so many. could ask for.
You deserve our gratitude There are a few questions
and admiration for “putting you must answer honestly in
your hands where your heart order to analyze your per-
is.” sonality and relationship with
Pet Helpline: Q: My cat a dog. For instance:
seems to be losing her fur, What is your favorite dog in
but in small ringlets or cir- the world? Why? What do
cles. Lately, I have noticed you like about that breed?
some very itchy ‘circles‘ on How do you envision your
my arms. Can I be affected dog responding when you
with something else or the arrive home after being out
same problem or what could all day? Do you need to chill
it be? out, or would you like to go
A: If you have allowed the out and exercise?
cat to caress you, as cats What would a typical
like to do, then those small evening in your home
circular lesions could be the include? This mental picture
evidence of ringworm as the will give you an idea of what
culprit in both conditions. kinds of rules and limits to
Ringworm is very conta- set on your four-legged com-
gious, and can affect all pets panion.
and humans in a household. Do you live in an apart-
It is not a worm at all, but is ment, mobile home or a
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