CADDO PARISH ANIMAL SERVICES MONITORING INCREASED DISTEMPER CASES
Caddo Parish, LA – Caddo Parish Animal Services and Mosquito Control is notifying the public of an increase in the amount of animal distemper cases in parts of Caddo Parish.
The Parish is monitoring a rise in positive cases, affecting approximately 30 raccoons, primarily in the Highland and Broadmoor neighborhoods.
Distemper is a viral infection that can infect dogs, raccoons, skunks and foxes. The virus does not cause disease in cats or humans. Dogs can become infected with the distemper virus from direct contact with a sick animal or from being near an infected animal when it is coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be transmitted through shared food and water bowls, or other objects that were contaminated by an infected animal. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at highest risk for infection with distemper.
Signs of distemper in dogs include: discharge from the eyes and/or nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, disorientation, tremors and seizures. with similar signs in raccoons and other wildlife. Currently there is no treatment for distemper, so preventing the disease in dogs is crucial.
Caddo Animal Services offers the following advice for pet owners regarding distemper:
- Vaccinate dogs for distemper
- Keep pets away from wildlife
- Keep pet food and water indoors and/or away from wildlife, and do not allow animals to drink from communal sources (puddles, shared bowls, etc.)
Residents are urged to contact Caddo Animal Services at (318)-226-6624 if they observe a raccoon in the daylight hours that appears to be ill or exhibit distemper symptoms. Citizens are also encouraged to sign up for Everbridge, the Parish’s notification system for updates from Animal Services regarding distemper.
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