Gwinnett animal shelter quarantined after Strep Zoo outbreak; 5 dogs dead

A seven-day quarantine has been issued at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter following a breakout of Strep Zoo, authorities said.

The bacterial infection, which affects dogs’ respiratory systems, has killed four dogs since Oct. 4 and caused another to be euthanized after showing signs of the illness and rapidly declining health, Gwinnett’s Animal Welfare and Enforcement Division said in a news release Thursday.

At least two other dogs tested positive for the illness, with another two having tests pending, the release said. Cats are unaffected by streptococcus zooepidemicus.

Cat adoptions are also halted for the next week, and all other adoptions have been postponed indefinitely, the release said.

All dogs in the facility are receiving antibiotics from shelter staff, and a deep cleaning of all areas where dogs were housed is being conducted, the release said.

Step Zoo is carried by dogs in their upper respiratory tract, and infected dogs show symptoms such as sudden onset fever, sneezing, shallow breathing, tiredness and reluctance to eat, the release said. It can be fatal to dogs within 24 hours in a small number of cases.

A backup kennel is being opened for animals impounded during the closure, the release said. However, it will be closed to the public.

Lost pets or owner reclaims will have to be scheduled by appointment only, and can be done at www.GwinnettAnimalWelfare.com.

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