WELCOME to the SPCA Penang Monthly Newsletter From Events and Education Department

		Vaccinations for your pet animal. Why is it so important? Puppies have natural protection against disease until they are weaned from their mother's milk, at which point they need vaccinations. In the first 24 hours after birth, it is critical that a puppy nurse its mother in order to get the necessary colostrums or first milk. Colostrum contains the special proteins and antibodies to protect the young dog against infectious diseases to which the mother is immune. Feeding on this first milk will ensure the pups protection for as long as 14 to 16 weeks. Of course, if the mother is unhealthy, her colostrums will be effective for a much shorter period of time, or not at all. If you would like to reduce all risks of infection, begin shots for your puppy at 6 weeks old, and repeat them every 3-4 weeks until it is 16 weeks old. Until the full series of vaccinations is complete, be sure to keep your puppy isolated to reduce exposure to infection. From thereon, your pet will need revaccinations annually. Remember, these vaccinations are very important to the health and happiness of your dog in later life.
		DISTEMPER Dogs with this disease will have the following symptoms : fever, conjunctivitis, rhinitis(nasal discharge), and may develop pneumonia, diarrhea & vomiting and seizures (change in behaviour (eg. pacing, circling), apparent loss of balance (ataxia), muscle twitches. This is a great killer of many dogs, if not vaccinated against. There is NO ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT for Distemper virus; therefore treatment is symptomatic. Prognosis is poor and euthanasia is often recommended for patients with progressive neurological signs.
		HEPATITIS The canine version of this disease (known as canine adenovirus type I) usually causes only mild liver or blood-vessel disease in dogs. One of the side effects is an opaque, blue eye, which involves a hardening of the cornea that may result in temporary or permanent blindness. In some rare cases, the disease is severe and may be fatal. The vaccine is an effective preventive measure.
		RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES Adenovirus type II infection produces a cough and bronchitis. It is also one of the causes of the contagious syndrome known as kennel or infectious bronchitis. The vaccine for type I protects against type II as well. Parainfluenza virus and another bacterial infections caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica also contribute to kennel cough. The Bordetella bacteria normally live in the air passages of the lungs. Stress can recipitate the disease.
		CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS This disease is caused by a spirochete, a bacterial organism, that affects the liver and kidneys. It is spread by the urine of infected dogs or rats. Symptoms are depression, lack of appetite, high fever, and abdominal or back pain, due to inflammation of the liver and kidneys. The vaccine is effective for 6 to 12 months.
		CANINE PARVOVIRUS This is an acute, highly contagious enteritis of dogs. Dogs of any age are affected, but there is a higher incidence of clinical disease in puppies between weaning and 6 months of age. Certain breeds appear to be at higher risk and susceptible to a more severe form of the disease. These include Rottweilers, Dobermann Pinschers, and possible Pit Bull Terriers and black Labrador Retrievers. Infection occurs by the faeco-oral route (ingestion of infected faeces). During acute illness, and for about 1-2 weeks thereafter, massive amounts of parvovirus (over one billion virions per gram of faeces) are shed in faeces of infected dogs. Because the virus can survive and remain infectious for several months in the environment, environment contamination plays a major role in transmission. Symptoms of the infection are severe diarrhea(can be profuse and haemorrhagic), vomiting, fever, depression and rapidly progressive dehydration. Hypothermia, icterus (jaundice) may develop terminally. Death is usually attributable to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, endotoxic shock or overwhelming bacterial sepsis. If the disease is detected in your pet, be sure to disinfect bedding areas and food dishes with a solution of one part chlorine bleach and 30 parts water.
		CORONAVIRUS Coronavirus invades and destroys cells in the intestine causing a syndrome known as CANINE CORONAVIRAL ENTERITIS. It is an acute and contagious disease that affects dogs of all ages. Dogs present with an acute onset anorexia and depression followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. The diarrhoea varies from soft to watery and sometimes contains mucus and fresh blood. Dehydration, weight loss and death is reported.
		VACCINATIONS FOR CAT FELINE DISTEMPER Feline distemper or Cat flu is caused by a number of virus affecting the upper respiratory tract, with symptoms of sneezing, running eyes and nose, and excessive salivation. Prompt veterinary treatment can usually cure feline influenza but cats frequently become carriers. This is one reason why vaccination is essential to protect your own and other cats. An annual booster will ensure your cat stays 'flu-free' – as well as immunizing against FeLV(Feline Leukemia Virus). WHAT IS FELINE LEUKEMIA? This is a serious disease in cats caused by a virus infection. It is also a complex disease, of which leukemia(cancer of the white blood cells) and cancerous tumors are only a small part. Various other related but non-tumorous diseases are also involved. This disease is spread by direct contact with infected cats. It is usually transmitted in the saliva, but now low levels of the virus can also be found in urine and feces. Licking, biting and sneezing are common means of transmission. Food and water dishes and litter boxes are likely sources of infections, if healthy cats share them with infected cats. Once a cat has been infected with leukemia virus, there are 3 possible outcomes: About 40% develop immunity and become resistant to future infections. About 30% become 'latent carriers' of the disease, neither fully recovered nor seriously affected. They may be susceptible to disease at some future time, and if reactivated, they can pass on the virus to their offspring. The remaining 30% of exposed cats are persistently infected and, of these, about 83% die within 3 years of the time of infection from leukemia and/or the associated diseases. Death can be sudden or lingering and painful.

	SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Neutering Campaign - April 1-30, 2013 - SPCA Penang is launching a Neutering Campaign which will run from Monday, April 1 thru Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Pet owners who comply with the following rules, may collect free neutering vouchers at the SPCA Penang premises during office hours: animal must be healthy & vaccinated proof of vaccination must be provided pet must be 5+ months of age animal must be owner owned - no strays (but if you are willing to adopt a stray, you are welcome to apply) Free vouchers for RM150 for dogs and RM100 for cats will be distributed to help out those who cannot afford to neuter their pets. Strictly limited to one voucher per household - either a cat or a dog - and available to the low income group only. Vouchers must be collected at SPCA Penang premises between 10am April 1 and 4:30pm April 30, 2013. Vouchers are valid for one calendar month and are not transferable to other pet owners - i.e can only be used by the person to whom the voucher is issued. NEUTER - SAVE A LIFE

EVENTS!!! What's Happening In SPCA Penang.
SPCA Penang Volunteer Briefing Date: 20th April 2013 Time: 9:00 am sharp Location: SPCA Penang We invite anyone who is interested to join SPCA as a Volunteer. Please email or call for more details on how you can sign up as a volunteer.
SPCA Annual Appeal (Wish List) Wanting to help SPCA Penang? Please have a look through our Wish List! We need food, shampoo, washing liquid… etc and money to maintain our shelter. Please support to help us help maintain our paw friends at the shelter!
SPCA Spay/Neuter Campaign in New World Park Penang Date: 6th April 2013 Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm Location: New World Park Thinking of getting your dog/cat neutered? Then come to New World Park to apply for spaying/neuteriing voucher (terms and conditions apply). And don't forget to check out on our merchandise on sale.
JUMBLE SALE AT SPCA Make a date with us on Saturday, 27th April at the SPCA compound. Time: 10a.m. till 2 p.m. It's our Jumble Sale Day. There are lots of things such as books, clothes, DVDS, car seat etc. - all going cheap!
TALK ON SPCA WORK /ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP We are happy to be invited by any clubs, organisations, schools who would be willing to know more about SPCA work or create awareness regards to animal welfare and care of animals.

Dogs/Cats Available For Adoption
Tipy Female, shih-tzu, spayed Born 2009	Scooby Male Born September 2011	Jojo Male Born August 2012	Finny Female, spayed Born end September 2012	Neely Female, spayed Born May 2012	Bridgy Male Born December 2012

NEW Items Available at SPCA Penang
These cute twistable animals can be used in computers, chargers, or incorporating wire. It can also be used in curtain, plastic bags and so on. Make your life more organized and neater, Get yours today for only RM 5.00 each. There are 10 varieties to choose from and is available at SPCA Penang.	Thinking of buying a Doggie Clothes for your paw friend? We have them! Sizes available from Small, Medium to Large at RM45 each.
TIRAMITU RABBITS Hurry! Place your order for these adorable Tiramitu Rabbits plush toy today! Price for only RM24.00 per piece, and RM40.00 only for two. Thinking of collecting a complete set? They are yours for just RM140.00 per set (8 pieces)!	Looking for sunglasses with switchable lenses? We have it! New Sun Glasses with five lenses plus prescription lens insert. Includes case and frames tie for sports usage for only RM60.00! Come and get yours today!

HAPPY ENDING - DON'T LOSE HOPE!
BEFORE	4 MONTHS LATER	HAPPY EVER AFTER
Ding (Shis Tzu Mixed) had gone missing on the afternoon of 17th November 2012. After four months of searching, Ding was finally reunited with her owners Mr and Mrs Koay Swee Beng on 14th March 2013. Miracles do happen! We wish them well. What a Happy Reunion!

SPCA Penang Contact: Jalan Jeti Jelutong 11600 Penang, Malaysia. (604)2816559 (6016)4166559 Email: www.spca-penang.net We welcome visitors to the shelter. Kindly note our visiting hours: Monday - Friday: 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4.30pm Saturday : 10am - 12.30pm We are closed on Sundays only.
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