(WWL.com)
The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning residents of south Louisiana to be aware of a rabies-like disease spotted in animals such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and skunks. It’s called canine distemper and it is contagious to unvaccinated dogs.
People who have seen animals with the virus describe them as looking almost zombie-like with a gaze in their eyes, and hardly moving. There have been reports across the country of raccoons walking on hind legs, salivating and acting oddly.
State wildlife veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour said the virus will affect a dog’s gastrointestinal tract to start with.
“Then, progress into neurologic symptoms. They may be salivating, circling, or seizuring, and eventually, they die. It’s very highly fatal in unvaccinated dogs,” said LaCour.
LaCour said if you feed your dog outside, you should bring in food and water dishes inside after they are done eating and he recommends having your dog vaccinated.
“Canine distemper vaccine is in the normal round of vaccines that vets administer. It’s also in what is called the 7-in-1 shot,” said LaCour.
In the event you think your dog may have been infected, LaCour said take your pet to the vet as distemper can be diagnosed clinically as well as through lab tests.
“They can institute treatment. If the dog has had at least one or two vaccines, sometimes they can make it, but it’s highly fatal in unvaccinated dogs,” said LaCour.
The virus has no effect on humans.