1237. Industrial dogs in Singapore dying from distemper

Jan 11, 2013

I had a chat with a lady who cycles to feed industrial dogs in the evening and nights and had adopted two.

"Do you know that industrial dogs are dying of distemper?" she asked me.
"No," I said. Many industrial dogs had been culled by the authorities and so there are few seen at Toa Payoh Vets.
"They lie down, shivering. Their muscles start twitching," she said. "The vet said nothing can be done to cure it and put them to sleep."
"Is it an infectious disease to all dogs?" she asked.
"Yes," I said. "The virus attacks the brain cells and other parts of the body. There is an effective vaccination."
"Factory owners don't vaccinate the dogs," she said. "How come in a group of dogs, not all will die?"
"Some dogs will be resistant to the distemper viral infection. These will not die. It is like drinking a small potion of poison. You will not die unless it is a lot or very potent. If the dogs are dead, how come you are still feeding the industrial dogs?"
"Another part of the industrial estate," she laughed.
She continues her cycling to feed the stray dogs her home-cooked food.
"It is fortunate that your husband does not mind you adopting the stray puppy," I said and found that she adopted two.
"He nags and nags," she said. "I am looking for homes for them."


ADVICE
All Singapore dog owners should get their dogs vaccinated against distemper yearly but sadly, many don't bother. Dogs at dog parks, boarding and grooming should ensure protection from distemper by just taking time off to see the vet and get the dog vaccinated.