Forgive those who will receive this more than once, but it is vital that
everyone is aware since ferrets are susceptible to canine distemper!
 
City of Los Angeles  L. A. Animal Services/ LAAnimalServices.com
419 South Spring Street, 14th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90013
 
CONTACT: Jackie David
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:(213) 473-7513
 
March 22, 2002
DISTEMPER OUTBREAK IN LOS ANGELES
 
L.A. Animal Services and L.A. County's Veterinary Public Health declared
a distemper outbreak in Los Angeles with both agencies recommending
distemper vaccinations for all dogs.  Canine distemper is a highly
contagious, systemic, worldwide, viraldisease of domestic dogs and
susceptible wildlife.  It is caused by a virusclosely related to the
measles virus and is transmitted through theair(airborne) or through
droplet exposure from the nasal cavity, pharynxand lungs.  It cannot
be transmitted from animals to humans.  Over the years, distemper has
caused the death or permanent disability ofmore young dogs than any other
disease.  "Distemper can be very dramatic in its presentation causing
respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms," says L.A.
Animal ServicesChief Veterinarian, Dr. Casandria Smith.  "The course of
the disease can bedays to weeks characterized by fever, nasal and ocular
discharge,depression, anorexia, convulsions, seizures and death.  It is
physically devastating to the animal and emotionally devastating to animal
guardians."Concern began when both agencies noted increasing reports of
sick and dying raccoons - the latest coming from the foothills above
Sherman Oaks.Distemper was confirmed through laboratory tests performed
on a deadraccoon taken from the Sherman Oaks area.  Animals susceptible to
distemper include coyotes, foxes, wolves, ferrets,skunks, raccoons, mink,
leopards, lions and tigers.In his report, "Canine Distemper Encephalitis
in Local Raccoon,"Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control Chief, Dr.
Patrick Ryan, underscored the importance of identifying and tracking
animal disease as a precautionagainst possible terrorist attacks: "As
discussed earlier, improving surveillance of biological terrorist attacks
that target the community requires the upgrading of detection and
reporting of animal diseases.  This includes collecting data on the
morbidity and mortality of domestic animals and wildlife.  Most
bio-terrorism agents are animal diseases.  In the event of abio-terrorist
attack, early detection and identification of these agents isessential in
making critical decisions regarding deployment of community resources."Dr.
Smith reminds pet owners that canine distemper can be controlledthrough
distemper vaccinations and adds "It is crucial to your animal's health to
check with your private veterinarian on a regular basis for infectious
diseases and guidance."L.A.  Animal Services offers Low-Cost Clinics that
provide vaccinations costing anywhere from $5 to $12.  These Clinics are
offered citywide and year-round and are made possible through the city's
partnership with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
 
Kim Wolf
Mystyx Samoyeds, Ferrets and Rescue
of Galloway, Ohio
www.mystyxcritters.com
www.mystyxrescue.petfinder.org
[Posted in FML issue 3733]