New canine distemper outbreak in Texas

[dturm]

Just FYI, if you are in Texas or heading there, make sure your dog's distemper vaccination is up to date.

Canine Distemper outbreak in Amarillo, TX

Doug, DVM

[NCWriter]

Thanks, Dr. Doug.

[dturm]

There is a mortality rate but it's really hard to establish a reasonable number because most infected are the very young and dogs passing through shelters. Those individuals are seldom treated and are euthanized so establishing a true mortality figure is difficult.

Dogs do survive but often have life long issues either neurological tics, vestibular and/or "hard pad" disease. The hard pad is mostly observed as increased tissue (kind of like a callous) on the nose and pads of the feet.

[AZPops]

Thanks DOC! Good info.! ...

Pops

[DOTLDaddy]

Hey Doug, is there a mortality rate for distemper in dogs? Both Gretchen and Inga are up to date on their vaccinations, so I am not overly concerned about it, but we are going to be spending a few days crossing through Texas in March.