45 



Dog Distemper at Quarantine Station. 



The cold and wet weather during January was partly respon- 

 sible for the loss of three pups and two dogs while in quarantine, 

 though the direct cause was the introduction of the infection 

 with unvaccinated pups. These losses while regrettable are, 

 however, insignificant when compared with what might have 

 happened had \we not had the use of distemper bacterin and 

 serum at hand. These new remedies, while far from infallible, 

 have undoubtedly served to protect or cure the more than twenty 

 other dogs present when the disease was introduced. The point, 

 however, which it is wished to bring out is the danger always 

 attendant upon bringing your dogs or puppies to a strange cli- 

 mate, on an ocean voyage of at least six days, during the middle 

 of the winter, and without taking the precaution of protective 

 vaccination before starting the animal away from its home. 

 Prospective dog importers are therefore urged to have a vete- 

 rinarian vaccinate their dogs before taking or sending them on 

 board the steamer for Honolulu. The treatment consists in two 

 or three hypodermic injections at intervals of one or two days, 

 the cost of the vaccine (three small bottles) being $1.50, to which 

 should be added the veterinarian's fee. This treatment will in 

 most cases protect the animals against a fatal attack of the dis- 

 ease. If neglected the treatment of the sick dogs is far more 

 difficult and complicated and the mortality among unvaccinated 

 dogs frequently reaches 75 to 90 per cent. Dog distemper is a 

 highly infectious and very easily transmitted disease which 

 once it gains entrance to a kennel or quarantine station is likely 

 to attack all the susceptible animals, that is, those which have 

 not had the disease before or been vaccinated. And even then 

 it is advisable to avoid shipping pups or bitches in whelp during 

 December, January and February. 



Importation of Live Stock. 



The past month saw the arrival of more live stock than usual 

 and of not less than 8 dogs and 14 cats. Of most interest were 

 the fifty Merino rams which the Parker Ranch receives annually 

 from New Zealand. Unfortunately two of these were injured, 

 one so badly it had to be killed and one with a broken front leg 

 which very likely will recover. 



A fine shipment of Holstein cows (15) and bulls (2) arrived 

 for Mr. Robert Hind, while Mr. A. Robinson received 13 pure- 

 bred Southdown rams and 2 Kentucky jennets. Some very good 

 hogs, Duroc Jerseys and Berkshires also will help improving the 

 live stock of the Territory. 



Respectfully submitted, 



V^ICTOR A. NORGAARD, 



Territorial Veterinarian. 



