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NASHVILLE (WSMV) – Animal Care and Control recommends that all Davidson County pet owners ensure that their dog's vaccines are up to date after the increase in the number of diseased raccoons reported in the area.
MACC said the clinical symptoms of the disease suggest canine distemper virus.
"The canine distemper virus is easily transmitted from wildlife to free-roaming pets," said Staci Cannon of Metro Animal Care and Control. "The distemper virus resembles a cold or kennel cough in the beginning of the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite and fever, but unlike a cold, this virus can rapidly evolve into neurological signs, pneumonia and death. "
The disease can remain dormant until six weeks before the onset of symptoms. Mild cases can heal with supportive care, but once the disease has progressed to neurological symptoms or pneumonia, it is often fatal.
Distemper is not transmissible to cats or humans, but is transmissible to dogs and ferrets. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are the most exposed. Given these cases, it is more important than ever for pet owners to keep their pets well vaccinated and safely confined where they will not come into contact with unvaccinated animals and wild animals. or sick.
Two dogs have recently been through the MACC and have been confirmed with distemper.
Carré virus is spread through direct contact with an infected dog or wild animal, or indirectly through saliva, urine or feces. The distemper virus can also spread by air. Even the strictest sanitation protocols can not eliminate the risk in any shelter.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you think that your dog's vaccinations are not up to date.
Copyright 2019 WSMV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
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