Miami-Dade County Animal Services urges pet owners to protect their dogs against Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex

Due to a recent increase of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), Miami-Dade County Animal Services (Animal Services) is proactively taking measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of shelter and community dogs. 

Recently there have been many cases of CIRDC reported throughout South Florida. Animal Services urges dog owners to help protect their pets from the spread of the virus by visiting their veterinarian, keeping their dogs current on routine vaccines, and avoiding dog parks and other settings with multiple dogs.
To protect the community’s pets, Animal Services is temporarily suspending the following services until further notice (only applies to dogs):
•    Wellness Clinic- Spay/Neuter surgeries, vaccinations, microchipping
•    Receiving- Owner surrender 
•    Offsite pet adoption events

Stray intake is limited to injured, sick and aggressive stray animals to avoid unnecessary exposure to the virus.

CIRDC Spread:  The virus is highly contagious and can pose serious health risk to dogs. The disease can spread rapidly among dogs that are housed together or those in close proximity to each other such as in kennels, dog parks or grooming facilities.
•    CIRDC is spread by direct contact with an infected dog and by contact with people who have been exposed to the virus. The virus can be carried on people’s clothing, hands, and on items such as food/water bowls, collars/leashes, toys, bedding, etc. 
•    Coughing dogs produce virus-containing mists that can travel 20 feet or more.
•    Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, and discharge from the nose and/or eyes.

CIRDC Treatment:
•    Individuals who think their dog may be showing signs of CIRDC should contact their private veterinarian immediately.
•    The virus is easily killed by most disinfectants, handwashing with soap and water, normal laundering of clothing and bedding, and washing food/water bowls and toys with soap and water.

ADOPTERS & FOSTERS NEEDED:
Animal Services is in need of more adopters and foster families to help take the healthy adoptable dogs out of the shelter and keep them safe from being infected.  These dogs should be quarantined from other dogs for at least two weeks as a precautionary measure.

For more information, visit animals.miamidade.gov or call 311. 

CIRDC Additional Information

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services
Every year Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) provides care and refuge for 28,000 to 30,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats. Every day, Animal Services’ staff and volunteers work diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting offsite adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with over 100 rescue organizations and partners.