Cobb County Animal Services will begin slowly reopening its animal shelter after test results ruled out the presence of “strep zoo,” a highly contagious bacterial infection.
The Bishop Drive facility closed last week after two dogs became sick, and the shelter veterinarian suspected streptococcus zooepidemicus, an infection that affects the respiratory system and spreads quickly among animals in close contact. The shelter has dealt with two prior strep zoo outbreaks that proved deadly, one in October and another the previous fall.
Tests were sent to the University of Georgia’s Veterinary School for evaluation, county spokesman Ross Cavitt said.
“Because we’ve had two bouts with it, the vet is very proactive with that particular infection,” he said.
Officials said Wednesday the rest results were negative for strep zoo and other complications. The dogs that were sick were being treated with antibiotics and were showing some signs of improvement.
While dogs and cats are still being housed at the shelter, the facility has been closed for adoptions and surgeries since last Friday.
“Under an abundance of caution, shelter staffers are deep-cleaning the facility, so the shelter will have a phased re-opening,” officials said. “Shelter staffers will be contacting those with canceled appointments to come in as early as Friday, with the process continuing into next week.”
Updates will be provided at cobbcounty.org and on Cobb County government’s social media pages. For questions about appointments, call 770-499-4136.
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