The Laker/Lutz News

Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center

Working around the threat of COVID-19

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The spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) — and efforts to stay out of harm’s way  — have sparked creativity and ingenuity across The Laker/Lutz News region.

Kynlee Kuberski, center, who lives in Connerton, reacts, after Pasco County Fire Rescue truck, drives by her Land O’ Lakes home to wish her a happy 11th birthday on March 26. Kynlee’s mother, Jessi, is on the left, and older sister Kalyn is on the right. (Christine Holtzman)

When plans to celebrate Kynlee Kuberski’s 11th birthday at Universal Studios were canceled because of COVID-19, dozens of people came by her Connerton home, to wish her a happy birthday.

They came on foot, on bikes, in cars and even in a Pasco County Fire Rescue truck — to help her celebrate at a safe distance — in response to a request by her Kynlee’s mom, Jessi, on her neighborhood Facebook page.

Kynlee’s teacher, Macy Kendrick, from Connerton Elementary, was among the well-wishers, some of whom honked their horns as a birthday greeting.

Meanwhile, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano found a way to serve customers — despite closing his offices to in-person lobby services. All five tax collector offices are handling limited transactions through drive-thru. They’re processing automobile, boat and mobile home registration renewals, property tax payments, and handicapped permit applications.

Eleven-year-old Kynlee Kuberski, of Land O’ Lakes, smiles, as family, friends and neighbors sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to her. No one could get closer because of social distancing, due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). (Christine Holtzman)

The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center also has come up with a way to help adopters who are interested in having a self-isolation sidekick but can’t physically come into the shelter. They’re calling that program Curbside Cuddles.

There’s another program for adopters who can’t come to the center that they’re calling Cuddles Shuttles. Find out more about these programs by calling (813) 744-5660.

On another front, Michele Northrup — former Lutz Guv’na — is using her entrepreneurial skills to help vendors — including her own business — that have watched their scheduled events evaporate.

“I’ve been doing markets for years, and helping run markets and shows. I have a group of maybe 200 to 250 vendors that I pull from to do these different shows and markets.

“Well, now these vendors have nothing. They have no income,” she said.

Michele Northrup and Cynthia Cicala packing bags to be delivered to customers. (B.C. Manion)

“What do you do when your markets close?” she asked. “Find new markets,” she responded.

Northrup put out the word that she’d like to create vendor boxes and, in essence, bring the Farmer’s Market to people’s doors.

The boxes sell for $60 and $100 each, and include such items as fresh produce, honey, artisan soaps, homemade disinfectant spray, sauces, spices and fresh Cuban bread.

Each week, the boxes will vary.

The first deliveries were made over the weekend.

Northrup hoped for at least 22 orders on the first shipment and wound up with 39.

Orders are being taken for the next shipment on SaucyQueen.com.

Many other businesses and shops also are changing the way they serve customers, including Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que, on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. It is also still smokin’ — offering pit carryout, of its full menu.

A sign on both sides of the restaurant encourages people to call ahead for faster service.

Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que, a community staple, is still serving up its barbecued meals through carryout, on the pit side. Patrons are encouraged to call ahead. (B.C. Manion)

Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves offered two examples of organizations adapting to limitations imposed by COVID-19.

For one, the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club held its first virtual meeting using Zoom.

She also noted: “Keystone Community Church did a drive-in worship service on Sunday. It was really good. We were honking horns, instead of clapping.”

Many churches are adjusting to COVID-19 by live-streaming their services.

The Rev. Adrienne Hymes said Wesley Chapel Episcopal Church is using technology to keep the congregation connected, but also is using old-fashioned one-on-one telephone calls to keep in touch.

Atonement Lutheran Church, in Wesley Chapel, plans a drive-thru service, to hand out palms and a blessing on Palm Sunday.

 Christine Holtzman contributed to this story.

Published April 1, 2020

Dog flu hits Florida — and it’s contagious

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It’s called the dog flu, and it has hit the Sunshine State.

The first confirmed case of the new H3N2 strain was reported in Deland over Memorial Day weekend.

According to the University of Florida, the strain entered the state from dogs and people who have attended a dog show.

The new dog flu virus is characterized by persistent coughing, along with sneezing and nasal discharge. Many infected dogs experience a fever, decreased appetite and lethargy during the first few days of illness. Unlike other forms of dog flu, whose symptoms and risk of contagion only last for about a week, the H3N2 strain is contagious for at least 26 days and can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours, health officials say. (Courtesy of American Kennel Club)

Now, more than 30 cases of canine influenza have been reported across the state, mainly in northeast and central Florida.

No cases have been reported in Hillsborough or Pasco counties, but it has reached Orlando.

The “highly contagious” H3N2 virus first infected about 1,000 dogs in Chicago in 2015, and since has spread to more than 30 states.

And, it’s more perilous than the H3N8 strain, first identified in Florida in 2004 in racing greyhounds.

The new virus is characterized by persistent coughing, along with sneezing and nasal discharge.

Many infected dogs experience a fever, decreased appetite and lethargy during the first few days of illness.

Unlike other forms of dog flu, which have symptoms and risk of contagion lasting only for about a week, the H3N2 strain is contagious for at least 26 days and can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours, health officials say.

That means it can spread through toys, leashes, kennel crates, dishes and floors, along with contaminated hands and clothing; frequent hand washing with soap and water, normal laundering of clothing and bedding, and washing food/water bowls and toys with soap is strongly advised.

Some local pharmacies and animal hospitals are offering vaccines to combat the H3N2 canine influenza virus, also known as dog flu. The first confirmed case of the new H3N2 strain was reported in Deland over Memorial Day weekend. More than 30 cases of canine influenza have been reported across the state, mainly in northeast and central Florida. No cases have been reported yet in Hillsborough or Pasco counties. (Kevin Weiss)

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine says there is no evidence the disease can infect humans, but it can spread to cats.

Dr. Cynda Crawford, of the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, said the virus is an “imminent threat” to dogs statewide.

“We’re probably just seeing the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “It is very important for both veterinarians and dog owners in the state of Florida to have very heightened awareness of the presence of this virus in the state.”

The flu can infect all canine dogs, regardless of breed, age or health status, according to Dr. Moses Kawalya, of Pet Point Animal Hospital in Lutz.

“All dogs are at risk; there’s no preferential breed,” he said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the H3N2 disease is an avian flu virus that adapted and since spread to dogs. It was first detected in South Korea in 2007 before making its way to the United States in 2015.

No end appears in sight.

“Viruses generally have aggressive potential for mutation, so it’s possible that you can get one strain under control, and then another comes later on, which could be more contagious than the other ones before,” Kawalya explained.

Fortunately, most dogs recover from H3N2 without complications, health officials say.

But, some can develop “life-threatening” pneumonia, if the dog isn’t under the care of a veterinarian with proper treatments.

The best prevention is vaccination.

The Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is taking steps to protect against the latest, highly contagious mutation of canine influenza. The facility, at 440 N. Falkenburg Road, is now closed to the public on Mondays to give veterinary staff more time to examine dogs and allow shelter staff to conduct weekly deep cleanings for added disease prevention. Beginning July 1, pet intake will end an hour earlier, at 6 p.m. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County)

“The more dogs that we can vaccinate and build up community immunity, the better chance we have of keeping this virus out of a community,” said Crawford.

“It is all about using vaccines to build a wall — an immune barrier to stop the virus from entry.”

Dogs are most at-risk when around other dogs that may be sick or in areas other dogs hang out at. Nose-to-nose contact with other dogs is one of the ways dogs can contract the virus.

Dog parks, pet stores, pet day care centers and grooming salons are also examples of places canines can contract the dog flu from, if a contagious dog has been there.

Besides public places, dog shows are particularly risky, Crawford said.

“This is a clear problem in the dog show population,” she said.

“I think it is a high risk to take dogs to dog shows at this time, because there could be dogs that are infected and contagious to other dogs,” Crawford added.

She also noted canines that mainly stay within the confines of their homes or yard are least at-risk.

Though she still recommends vaccination, in case an emergency arises.

“Most dogs are probably in a risk group for exposure,” Crawford said. “Their risk for exposure increases significantly, if the virus has been documented to be circulating in the community and state where they live.”

Despite the virus’ rise, some local residents don’t plan to vaccinate their dogs, yet.

Sharon Espinola, a Lutz resident who owns a 5-year-old border collie mix, said she doesn’t believe her dog, Leo, needs the flu vaccine.

Dr. Cynda Crawford, of the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, said the H3N2 virus is an ‘imminent threat’ to dogs statewide. (Courtesy of University of Florida)

“Given his age and health status, and the fact that we don’t go to dog parks, I feel like he’s not at risk,” she said. “Now, if it looked like it was more widespread and was something that was really going to impact his health negatively, I would certainly take a second look at it.”

Nevertheless, she’s still monitoring the disease to see if it reaches the Tampa Bay region.

“I think being aware is really important,” she said, “and, if you have a dog with a compromised immune system, I think it would definitely be something to look at.”

Terri Garey, a Lutz resident who owns two Yorkillons, hasn’t vaccinated, either.

“I haven’t had the dogs vaccinated because their contact with other dogs is very limited. We don’t board them or take them to the dog park,” Garey wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

For pet owners who think their dog has become infected, Kawalya suggests calling their veterinarian ahead so they can take precautionary measures.

“The vet has to make sure they minimize any exposure to any dog that may be at the vet’s office,” he said. “They may want to bring the dog through a separate door or entrance.”

Meanwhile, the Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center is taking steps to protect against the latest, highly contagious mutation of canine influenza.

The facility, at 440 N. Falkenburg Road, is now closed to the public on Mondays to give veterinary staff more time to examine dogs and allow shelter staff to conduct weekly deep cleanings for added disease prevention; the closure will give the dogs and cats a day of rest from constant human interaction.

Beginning July 1, pet intake will end an hour earlier, at 6 p.m., to allow more time for the veterinary staff to examine dogs that are received at the end of the day.

Also beginning July 1, owners who surrender dogs will be asked to make appointments so the facility can proactively combat outside contamination.

Additionally, county residents bringing in dogs or cats that are coughing or sneezing will be asked to keep the pet outside of the Pet Resource Center and contained in the resident’s vehicle to avoid possible contamination, whereby veterinary staff will provide an initial examination prior to the pet entering the building to ensure the safety of the pets inside the building.

Published June 21, 2017