Canine distemper claims five SPCA dogs

Canine distemper is a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure.

SPCA office manager, Heather Gero said the SPCA had to euthanise five of their own dogs that had contracted the disease. “Our kennels had to be closed for 10 days due to the outbreak,”

Your dog can survive depending on the strain of the virus and the strength of its immune system. Although recovery is entirely possible, seizures and fatal disturbances to the central nerve systems may still occur two or three months after recovery.

“If your dog is sick, contact your local vet. The SPCA is not an animal clinic and we cannot help in such a circumstance”. said Mrs Gero.

Canine distemper is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions. Contact with faecal material and the urine of infected dogs can also cause infection. The virus invades the tissue, blood, lungs, intestines, bladder and nervous system of the animal. Common symptoms of the disease are fever, runny nose, eye discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and spastic muscle jerks.

Young, unvaccinated puppies and non-immunised older dogs are more susceptible to this disease; therefore the best and only prevention is to make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and repeated annually.