BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. –The Berrien County Health Department is warning pet homeowners to maintain a watch out for signs of canine distemper, with a big enhance in circumstances.
While it may be preventable, canine distemper is taken into account a extremely contagious, incurable and lethal illness brought on by an airborne virus.
“I’ve been in practice for 13 years and this is the first time I’m seeing confirmed positive cases of distemper. The fact that there was an outbreak in Berrien County is something that people should be aware of,” veterinarian and proprietor of Arrow Pet Clinic Dr. Kristyn Hunter stated.
Some of the signs that pet homeowners ought to look out for embody coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, thick yellow discharge from the eyes and nostril and seizures. It is widespread amongst young dogs or dogs that haven’t totally developed an immune system.
The virus is unfold by means of shut contact with contaminated animals by means of respiratory droplets or contact by means of meals bowls, toys or any objects that had been contaminated by contaminated animals.
Dr. Hunter says one of the best ways to stop it’s to ensure your animals are updated on their vaccinations.
It is really helpful dogs get a distemper vaccination every year for his or her first two years after which each three years.
“We certainly don’t want to cause mass panic. Chances are older dogs can come in contact with illnesses and be able to fight it off if they have a full immune response and a healthy immune response. I don’t want every pet parent with their coughing dog to panic and rush to their pets to the vets or ER. But I do think you should be aware if your pet is showing any symptoms of illness to be conscious that it might be contagious and that don’t bring them to holiday parties or dog parks, things like that. Just like you would keep a sick kid home from school,” Dr. Hunter stated.
This comes after at the very least 16 states have an outbreak of what they’re calling a thriller respiratory sickness in dogs.
Dr. Hunter says the sickness presents lots like kennel cough. Coughing, sneezing, runny nostril, lethargy and lack of urge for food are among the signs. In some circumstances, it could actually result in pneumonia and probably be lethal.
What’s inflicting the sickness is unknown. Because of this, she says it makes therapy a bit tough as dogs usually are not responding to conventional remedy and medication that’s used to deal with kennel cough.
If your canine develops a cough, don’t panic, Dr. Hunter advises. But keep aware about its development and your pet’s general well being, she says.
One solution to stop the sickness, she says, is to maintain dogs away from areas the place they’re more likely to are available contact with different dogs like canine parks and nose-to-nose avenue greetings.
“If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. Most of us are doing all that we can to collect the information and stay up to date on things. It’s really easy to go down the rabbit hole of the internet and get concerned or false information. If you’re ever wondering what’s going on, just touch base with your veterinarian. They’re going to give you the most up to date information and what’s most applicable for your pet,” Dr. Hunter stated.
