Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley Needs the Public’s Help to Combat Distemper Uptick

The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) asks the public for help in combating canine distemper by reducing the number of animals brought to the ASCMV. Canine distemper has been increasing in the U.S. since 2021, and the ASCMV has seen a dramatic rise in the number of ASCMV animals with distemper. Residents are asked not to relinquish unwanted pets or strays at the ASCMV or to Animal Control officers and instead make every attempt to rehome the animal themselves to prevent that animal from contracting distemper or bringing it to the ASCMV. The ASCMV should be the absolute last
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Upcoming GO Bond

Tails and Tales: Does the Mesilla Valley need a new Animal Services Center? Originally published in the Las Cruces Sun-News on July 8, 2018. In May 2018, the city of Las Cruces made the decision to approve a ballot of community improvements. These city improvements that the public will vote on is called a General Obligation Bond. Beginning in July, this ballot will be mailed to all city residents. The ballot will have four different questions. I am honored to announce one of the ballot items is to build a new Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley adoption and stray-holding facility. Because
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Adoptions Resume, $10 until 5/31

  The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley has resumed all dog adoptions after having addressed an outbreak of Giardia, an intestinal parasite.   Medical Director Dr. Susan Baiz said the treatment regimen that began April 28 was successful, and the most recent sample testing of the population came back negative. The ASCMV’s cat population never showed signs of infection. The cats are kept in a separate area of the building from the dog populations. ASCMV Executive Director Clint Thacker said he appreciates the community’s patience while the outbreak was addressed. He also sent his thanks to those members
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Giardia treatments have concluded, retesting scheduled.

Since the last update of May 2, 2018, the following has occurred or changed regarding the giardia:   Giardia treatments have concluded. The bathing took place on Saturday and Sunday and was very successful. Staff has been commenting on the decrease of diarrhea in the dog population. To date, no staff has stated they have contracted or had symptoms of giardia. A small number of dogs are still having symptoms similar to those of giardia. These dogs are under the close care of our medical director.   We are still looking forward to the May 18th testing. Test results should
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Giardia treatment update

Since the last update of April 30th, 2018 the following has occurred or changed:   A communication error occurred on Monday April 30th, where only 1/3 of the dogs were treated. This error was discovered on Tuesday May 1st. Because of the error, the conclusion of the five-day treatment has been updated to Saturday May 5th. Treatments are continuing to be administered on a daily basis. We have found it takes two of our staff approximately 4 hours of nonstop work to complete the treatments. The medicine is administered orally and is a white sticky mess. Most dogs do not
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Facts about current giardia outbreak.

Since Friday April 27, 2018, the ASCMV has suspended all dog adoptions for the next 20 days. In an effort to be transparent, here is an update to the situation. 1. The ASCMV is still open to the public. 2. The ASCMV is still accepting stray animals both from the public and Animal Control. 3. All stray impounds and surrenders are being kennel together as they come in. 4. Recently impounded dogs are not being kenneled with dogs that have been at the shelter since the adoption suspension. 5. The first of five treatments has been administered to all dogs
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Animal Services Center Suspends Adoption For 20 Days

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley is suspending all adoptions for 20 days while staff works with the New Mexico Department of Health to address an outbreak of Giardia, an intestinal parasite. Dr. Susan Baiz is the facility’s medical director, and she is overseeing the medical response in close coordination with Executive Director Clint Thacker, who cancelled a planned vacation to remain on site. “Giardia is the most commonly diagnosed intestinal parasite in the United States,” Thacker said. “The most common transmission is drinking contaminated water. However, feces is the next most common transmission method.
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