Dallas Warns Pet Owners About Distemper

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Dallas Animal Services is urging dog and ferret owners to have their pets vaccinated against distemper.

Animal control officers have noticed an increase in distemper cases in raccoons throughout the city, with a concentration in neighborhoods in west Dallas.

The areas most affected are zip codes 75208 and 75211.

Raccoons with distemper can display erratic behavior, aggression, disorientation, vomiting, seizures and have crusted eyes or nose. People who see a raccoon with these symptoms are urged to bring their pets indoors and to call 3-1-1 for an animal control officer.

Distemper can not spread from raccoons to cats or humans, but it can spread to dogs and ferrets. There is no cure and canine distemper has a high mortality rate. Dog owners are urged to avoid attracting raccoons by bringing in food and water bowls from outside and by securing trash.

Any veterinarian can administer the distemper vaccinations. Dallas Animal Services is offering low-cost vaccinations on the first and third Saturdays of each month between 10:00am and 12:00noon in a partnership with the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, SPCA of Texas and Spay Neuter Network.