BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. — Canine distemper is on the rise in Berrien County, and all dog owners are cautioned to be aware of it.
Symptoms of distemper can include vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, and can look like an upper respiratory infection.
Although distemper is common among dogs and cats, other domesticated animals can catch it too.
Even though Berrien County Animal Control says they're seeing more dogs catching it, they say December is usually when there are more positive infections.
Shelter Manager Ashley Herr says the best way to prevent it is to make sure your animals are up to date on their vaccinations.
"From what we've learned, because we have had a couple of positives in our community, is that it's mostly supportive care," said Herr. "So just like when your dog gets Parvo, it would be supportive care through your vet office, which can be very expensive. So it would be fluids, antibiotics, that sort of thing. Following your best treatment plan would be your biggest bet. But your best bet is prevention. I'm trying to make sure that your pets are vaccinated against it."
Herr also says that distemper vaccines come in two's. So it will be a few weeks until your pet is fully protected against distemper.
This increase also comes days after veterinarians say they're monitoring a mysterious respiratory illness in dogs. As of this afternoon, the state veterinarian says there have not been any cases of the mystery illness reported in Michigan.
Canine distemper symptoms can include:
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Thick yellow discharge from the eyes and nose
- Seizures
- Neurological changes such as aggressiveness, stumbling, lack of alertness, aimless wandering, head tilt and paralysis
RELATED: How to protect your dog from the mystery respiratory illness spreading in over a dozen states
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