The presence of stray dogs is not only an animal welfare problem. Uncontrolled reproduction can contribute to the formation of packs, the presence of ticks, and the spread of diseases, which is why veterinarians warn that canine overpopulation should also be addressed as a public health problem in Baja California Sur.
Rafael Eduardo Franzoni García, president of the College of Veterinary Physicians and Zootechnicians of Baja California Sur, explained that animals that remain on the streets continue reproducing and, without veterinary care, can maintain chains of transmission of different diseases.
Given this situation, he pointed out that sterilization is one of the measures that helps control reproduction, although he warned that campaigns alone will not solve the problem unless they are accompanied by education and responsible pet ownership.
Why Is Dog Overpopulation a Public Health Problem in BCS?
Franzoni García explained that one of the main problems occurs when dogs that remain on the streets reproduce without any control and the new litters remain in the same situation.
Over time, he added, groups of animals can form on the streets, along with other problems related to garbage and dogs that may display aggressive behavior.
“There are many little animals on the streets, stray dogs that then become pregnant and leave the puppies there and go away, and they start forming packs,” he explained.
Added to this is the possibility of disease transmission among the animals themselves. Among these, he mentioned transmissible venereal tumor, as well as illnesses associated with ticks.
Among the main problems identified by the veterinarian are:
- Uncontrolled reproduction of stray dogs.
- Formation of packs.
- Presence and spread of ticks.
- Diseases among the animals.
- Dogs that tear open bags or scatter garbage.
- Risk of encountering aggressive animals on the streets.
What Happens With Ticks and Ehrlichiosis in Dogs?
Another issue that concerns veterinarians is the presence of ehrlichiosis, a disease associated with ticks.
Franzoni García stated that in his private practice, he observes a high presence of cases among dogs that come in for consultations without having had consistent veterinary follow-up.
“Of 10 dogs that come in, obviously those that don’t receive follow-up, those that are brought to the veterinarian only occasionally, so to speak, five test positive for Ehrlichia,” he commented.
The figure corresponds to the veterinarian’s experience with the animals he treats under these circumstances and does not represent a general statistic for the canine population of Baja California Sur.
Why Is It Important to Sterilize Dogs and Cats?
Sterilization is not only intended to prevent new litters. According to Franzoni García, it can also provide benefits related to pets’ behavior and health.
In the case of females, he explained that performing the procedure at an early age can reduce the risk of certain mammary tumors, and he rejected the belief that they necessarily need to have a litter before being sterilized.
He also noted that controlling reproduction helps prevent new puppies from ending up abandoned or being repeatedly given up for adoption.
However, he considered that, in addition to continuing these efforts, it is necessary to strengthen owner education, because sterilization by itself will not end canine overpopulation.
Why Should Sterilization Campaigns Also Focus on Males?
Although attention is often focused on females, Franzoni García considered it necessary to strengthen the sterilization of male dogs.
The reason, he explained, is that a single male can reproduce with different females, so he suggested that mass campaigns could place greater emphasis on this segment of the canine population.
“It would be good to focus the campaigns, to carry out a kind of mass campaign for males. That way, we would prevent a lot of them from mating with the females,” he said.
For the specialist, controlling overpopulation requires combining these campaigns with greater responsibility from pet owners.
How Often Should a Pet Be Taken to the Veterinarian?
Prevention is also part of responsible care. Franzoni García recommended that dogs receive regular vaccinations and deworming and, as a general rule, be taken for a veterinary checkup twice a year.
Depending on each animal, these visits may include a review of vaccinations, deworming, dental cleaning, and tests to determine its health status.
Preventive care, combined with sterilization and responsible ownership, can help prevent more dogs from reproducing uncontrollably or living on the streets of Baja California Sur.
Source: posta
