Politics & Government

City Of Long Beach: Long Beach Animal Care Services Reports Distemper Outbreak

Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) is notifying the public of a critical animal health situation. A distemper outbreak has been repor ...

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Press release from the City of Long Beach:

4/15/2021

Common clinical signs of distemper in dogs include: discharge from the eyes and/or nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, disorientation, tremors and seizures. The clinical signs are similar in raccoons and other wildlife. Currently there is no treatment for distemper, so preventing the disease in dogs is crucial.

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ACS shares the following advice for pet owners from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department:

  • Vaccinate dogs for distemper: Puppies should receive a series of 3 or more distemper vaccines between the ages of 2 and 4 months. The vaccine should be boostered a year later, then every three years for life.
  • Protect puppies: Keep puppies at home and away from unfamiliar dogs until they have completed the vaccination series. Use caution when socializing dogs or in areas where dogs congregate, such as dog parks, doggy day care and boarding facilities.
  • Keep dogs away from wildlife: Never allow dogs to have contact with wildlife.
  • Keep pet food and water indoors, away from wildlife: Pet food and water left outdoors attracts wildlife, which can spread distemper to dogs.

    • Residents should report suspected distemper cases to the Long Beach Veterinary Disease Reporting System at longbeach.gov/vdrs to allow for local data collection and sharing with Los Angeles County.

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    More information about distemper and a history of distemper outbreaks in animals in Los Angeles County is available at: publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/distemper.htm.

    publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/distemper.htm Jane.Grobaty@longbeach.gov .

    This press release was produced by the City of Long Beach. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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