Finn209
03-25-2005, 12:21 AM
Kentucky Commerce Cabinet News Release
Canine Distemper Suspected
In Raccoon Illnesses
March 24, 2005
Contact: Lee McClellan
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(800) 852-0942.330
Frankfort, KY - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(KDFWR) recently received reports concerning sick raccoons in Franklin,
Warren, Oldham, McCracken, Shelby, Fleming, Calloway and Wolfe Counties.
Canine distemper is suspected of causing these illnesses.
The reports started in January and continued into March. Most reports
involve isolated raccoons. Calloway County had four reports in February with
one confirmed case and a report from McCracken County identified two sick
raccoons from one location.
"Canine distemper is not a threat to humans," said Jim Lane, KDFWR Furbearer
Program Coordinator. "It often occurs in raccoons throughout the
southeastern United States and is cyclic in nature.
"Symptoms of the disease are distress, coughing, sneezing, discharge from
eyes and/or nostrils and diarrhea," said Lane. "Infected animals may have
convulsions, tremors or chewing fits, and may lose their fear of humans and
appear blind and stumble, fall, walk in circles or backward.
"Canine distemper runs its course rapidly," he said. "Death is often
attributed to a secondary infection such as pneumonia."
Gray foxes and coyotes can also contract the disease. A healthy animal can
contract canine distemper from direct contact with an infected animal or its
body secretions and waste. Most transmissions, however, occur directly
between animals.
Unvaccinated dogs are susceptible to contracting the disease. Pet owners
should keep their pet vaccinations current. Those who feed pets outdoors
should remove any leftover food. It can attract infected animals not
completely debilitated by the disease.
Lane advises persons who are feeding raccoons to cease doing so.
"Concentrating them in small areas makes disease transmission more likely,"
he said. "Never attempt to capture or aid any sick wildlife."
Canine distemper is almost always fatal to infected animals. For further
information, request the pamphlet What Can I Do? About Nuisance or Diseased
Wildlife from the KDFWR by calling 1-800-858-1549.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) manages,
regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife
species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit
of those resources and for public enjoyment. KDFWR, an agency of the
Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion
annually. For more information on KDFWR, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Canine Distemper Suspected
In Raccoon Illnesses
March 24, 2005
Contact: Lee McClellan
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(800) 852-0942.330
Frankfort, KY - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
(KDFWR) recently received reports concerning sick raccoons in Franklin,
Warren, Oldham, McCracken, Shelby, Fleming, Calloway and Wolfe Counties.
Canine distemper is suspected of causing these illnesses.
The reports started in January and continued into March. Most reports
involve isolated raccoons. Calloway County had four reports in February with
one confirmed case and a report from McCracken County identified two sick
raccoons from one location.
"Canine distemper is not a threat to humans," said Jim Lane, KDFWR Furbearer
Program Coordinator. "It often occurs in raccoons throughout the
southeastern United States and is cyclic in nature.
"Symptoms of the disease are distress, coughing, sneezing, discharge from
eyes and/or nostrils and diarrhea," said Lane. "Infected animals may have
convulsions, tremors or chewing fits, and may lose their fear of humans and
appear blind and stumble, fall, walk in circles or backward.
"Canine distemper runs its course rapidly," he said. "Death is often
attributed to a secondary infection such as pneumonia."
Gray foxes and coyotes can also contract the disease. A healthy animal can
contract canine distemper from direct contact with an infected animal or its
body secretions and waste. Most transmissions, however, occur directly
between animals.
Unvaccinated dogs are susceptible to contracting the disease. Pet owners
should keep their pet vaccinations current. Those who feed pets outdoors
should remove any leftover food. It can attract infected animals not
completely debilitated by the disease.
Lane advises persons who are feeding raccoons to cease doing so.
"Concentrating them in small areas makes disease transmission more likely,"
he said. "Never attempt to capture or aid any sick wildlife."
Canine distemper is almost always fatal to infected animals. For further
information, request the pamphlet What Can I Do? About Nuisance or Diseased
Wildlife from the KDFWR by calling 1-800-858-1549.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) manages,
regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife
species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit
of those resources and for public enjoyment. KDFWR, an agency of the
Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion
annually. For more information on KDFWR, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.