Dog owners urged to check their pets for signs of canine distemper

Dog owners are being urged to check their pets for signs of canine distemper after four dogs have become infected with the viral disease in Moose Jaw during the last 12 months.

"In my career I had actually never seen a case of distemper until this year," veterinarian Lisa Cunningham said.

Canine distemper is a viral disease that is often fatal. It begins with diarrhea and vomiting as well as a soft cough and discharge from the nose and around the eyes. It can progress into seizures and muscle contractions.

"There's no specific treatment to treat it," Cunningham said. "We just try to keep them well hydrated and hope they can overcome it."

Cunningham said she doesn't know why there's an upswing in cases this year. She said it may be because some pet owners are choosing not to vaccinate.

"We do see more people choosing not to vaccinate," Cunningham said. "I would still say it's more common to see the cases where the dogs are not vaccinated because people weren't aware they needed to be vaccinated."

The virus is passed from dog to dog through direct contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva. Sneezing, coughing and sharing food and water bowls are all possible ways for the virus to be passed on.

Cunningham says pet owners should watch for signs of the virus in their dogs and take them to a veterinarian if they suspect their pet is infected.