Nassau SPCA Warns Of Sick Puppies Spreading Illness To Humans

The Nassau County SPCA is warning pet owners of an increase in cases of illnesses in new dogs, including one case where a human also became sick.

According to the NCSPCA, there has been an increase in puppies and other dogs needing to be taken to the vet just a few days after being brought home. In one case, a family who acquired a puppy in Nassau County had to take it to the vet three days later. The puppy was diagnosed with a drug-resistant stomach virus, as was the family's 18-year-old son.

The CDC is warning of an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni, which has been linked to puppies purchased at pet stores. Both the puppy and the teen were diagnosed with Campylobacter jejuni, a diarrheal illness. The CDC says that, as of December, at least 30 people have been infected with the disease and four have been hospitalized.

The NCSPCA did not identify where the puppy was purchased from, but said that stores all over Nassau County are in danger of carrying sick dogs. NCSPCA President Gary Rogers said that hundreds of dogs are shipped into Nassau County every week, and while New York state requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days prior to entry, there is no follow-up when puppies arrive. The puppies can be exposed to illnesses after the CVI is issued. They are routinely shipped in large vans with 60 or more puppies, with the vans making multiple stops at different locations in Nassau County, including pet stores and shelters.

There are also reports of giardia, bronchopneumonia and diffuse lower airway disease, the NCSPCA said.

Puppies can carry germs and be infectious to other dogs and people, even while appearing healthy. The NCSPCA recommends that when you have picked out your new pet your first stop is not home, but your veterinarian.

The NCSPCA is working to track where the sick puppies are originating from. If you purchased or adopted a puppy that needed to go to the vet soon after you brought it home, the NCSPCA is asking you to help them. You can visit sickpet.ncspca.us or call 516-THE-SPCA to report your case to help them find where the illnesses are originating from.