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Seized pomeranians from Vernon on road to recovery, but need help

Several of the dogs were diagnosed with coccidiosis disease

After over 30 Pomeranians were seized from an irresponsible breeder in Vernon back in August, the SPCA is continuing to nurse several back to health.

“It was a lot for BC SPCA staff to deal with,” said Shannon Paille, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kelowna animal centre. “32 dogs had been exposed to the potentially deadly parvovirus, with especially vulnerable puppies in the mix. We needed to get the sick ones treated and the others into foster homes as soon as possible.”

Three of the dogs were moms, one with two newborns, and another who was pregnant. 

Fortunately, two fosters answered the call, helping to give the moms a safe space. 

One of the pregnant dogs, Wicket, gave birth to a litter of three puppies, however only one survived. Padme, another mother, also gave birth to three pups.

“Mother Padme, who also had alopecia, hypothyroidism and so much caked yeast on her skin couldn’t lift her head up or move her legs when we got her,” said Denise, a foster parent. “It took two baths to get her skin to the point where she could straighten her legs and straighten her neck. Thankfully, the three puppies in her litter all survived."

Several of the dogs had coccidiosis, which is a disease caused by the presence of the coccidia parasite that lives in the wall of a dog's intestine. Dogs can become infected when they are exposed to feces or soil that contains the parasite.

“I wore two separate sets of PPE for six weeks,” said Denise. “I had to make sure while the two dogs and their puppies were being treated, there wasn’t any cross-contamination.”

Donations are being accepted for emergency care for the Pomeranians. You can donate here.



Bowen Assman

About the Author: Bowen Assman

I joined The Morning Star team in January 2023 as a reporter. Before that, I spent 10 months covering sports in Kelowna.
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