Canine Distemper Outbreak Reported In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An increase in deadly distemper cases among young dogs and raccoons in the Inland Empire is being reported by veterinarians and wildlife officials.

“I personally have not seen this kind of an outbreak in my experience,” Dr. Sarah Hoggan, emergency veterinarian and medical director of the VCA California Veterinary Specialists animal hospital in Murrieta, told the San Bernardino Sun.

Hoggan, who has worked as a veterinarian at the hospital for 18 years, said she has treated 15 to 20 dogs with canine distemper this year. She normally sees just one or two cases, according to the newspaper's July 4 report.

Veronica Fincher, director of animal services with Rancho Cucamonga Animal Services Department told the newspaper that technicians have seen six raccoons with canine distemper virus in the past two months.

In most cases, canine distemper virus is fatal to pets and wildlife. Dogs catch it from other dogs or wild animals that are infected with it. They can contract it by having direct contact with the sick animal, or by standing near the animal when it is coughing. They can also catch it if they have contact with food bowls or other objects that were contaminated by infected animals. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are the most likely to become sick.

Coughing is the most common symptom of canine distemper. Infected animals usually develop fever and discharge from the eyes and/or nose. The disease can also cause disorientation, tremors, twitches and seizures. Infected animals are vulnerable to catching more infections, such as bacterial pneumonia.

Vaccination against the virus is available for dogs and is considered highly effective.

Read more of the San Bernardino Sun story here.