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Welcome to resident pet expert, Cindy Ballard!
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Adopt-a-Pet
Jack
is a chow mix. Jack lives in Southern Indiana and needs to be adopted! Email
Dorothy at dottiec at psci.net
for more information on adopting Jack.
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Bird Flu
The
Bird flu is an influenza A subtype
virus that occurs mainly in birds.
It is highly contagious among the
bird community and can be deadly.
While this does not directly affect
people, some cases of the outbreak
have affected humans. Most have
occurred only after direct close
contact with infected poultry or
surfaces that were contaminated.
Scientists are a little concerned
because all viruses have the ability
to change and possibly that could
mean spreading from one person to
another. There is little or no
immune protection since this virus
is not common in humans. Scientists
in Asia and Europe are closely
watching this virus and trying to
prepare in case it becomes able to
spread person to person.
Because of the severity of the flu
in other countries, there is
currently a ban on importing birds
or poultry products from any
countries that have been affected.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan,
Malaysia, China, Romania and Russia
are among a few of them. There was
only one reported case in the U.S.;
it was in Texas in February of 2004,
and this appeared to be a different
strain that what was found in other
countries and did not affect a
human.
Symptoms in humans start as a
flu-like illness then worsen to a
severe respiratory disease and can
be fatal.
There is currently no vaccine
against this, however, Vietnam had
announced in February of 2005 that
its own bird vaccine was ready for
human tests. The U.S. also is ready
to start safety tests on a vaccine
they have developed.
The good news is that the current
strain remains sensitive to 2 newer
flu drugs, though they are in short
supply. The U.S. is in the process
of stock piling one of these drugs
in order to treat affected birds
when necessary.
Please submit any questions
you may have to
petconnection@helpingmomsconnect.com.
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Pet Connection is proud to partner with PETsMART.
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Cindy is currently a surgical veterinary technician.
In the past she has been a dog groomer and owner of All Breed Pet
Grooming and Boarding. She was a humane educator for Warrick Humane
Society as well as Shelter Director. Cindy
was also one of the founders of a no kill rescue organization called
PAAWS. She also was a breeder of German Shepherds for the Allegheny
County Canine Corp in Pennsylvania. She is the proud owner of 3
horses, 4 dogs, and 9 cats. She has owned various other animals such
as mini lops, ferrets and hedgehogs.
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