Pet Health Alert: Rising Number of Cases of Distemper

PHOENIX - If you're a dog owner there's a health alert you need to know about. The Arizona Humane Society is issuing a valley-wide warning today about two new strains of a potentially deadly disease.

Vets in the valley are sending out a warning to dog owners about the number of cases of distemper they're seeing lately. Dog owners are asked to keep their dogs' vaccinations up to date.

“We are seeing it when animals come in on the trucks, from the valley,” says Dr. Nancy Bradley, veterinarian.

Dr. Nancy Bradley of the Arizona Humane Society says there is no cure for the potentially deadly disease, which starts as a respiratory infection and spreads quickly.

And it's very easy for dogs to pass it on.

“Communal areas of dogs, it's going to spread and spread and spread -- just like influenza does with us.”

Dog owners we talked to today say they are concerned about diseases spreading among their pets, but are taking steps to make sure it doesn't happen.

“In my experience it's been common knowledge you get a dog, you get it vaccinations and you keep them up to date,” says dog owner Dairus Barnes.

“I'm hoping that other people are responsible and have taken their dogs to be vaccinated,” says dog owner Randy Kaas.

Keeping dogs up to date on their shots is the best way to keep distemper in check.

“I don't want to say that there's an outbreak, but we are seeing a higher number of incidents of diseases,” says Dr. Bradley.

The doctor said people shouldn't have to worry as long as their dogs have had all their shots -- but if you have a young puppy that hasn't been fully vaccinated yet -- she advises to keep them away from other dogs for now.

Possible symptoms of distemper
• discharge from eyes/nose
• coughing
• lethargy
• lack of appetite
• callusing of nose/foot pads
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• seizures

More info: www.azhumane.org/PDFs/2012_ahs_issues_valley-wide_pet_health_alert.pdf