Roommates Rachael Bruce and Danitza Dragovic are worried about their dog, Zeus.
Dragovic, a UF health science freshman, and Bruce, a UF anthropology and English senior, can’t remember whether their 8-year-old maltese and shih tzu mix has had his distemper vaccination.
After an increase in canine distemper infection in wild animals in Alachua County, they are planning their next trip to the vet.
According to David Flagler, the director of Alachua County Animal Services, there have been 65 infected animals reported over a six week period.
The majority, he said, were raccoons, and a few of the cases were foxes.
Three years ago, a distemper outbreak in Alachua County killed more than 600 dogs, according to an article in The Gainesville Sun.
However, currently, there are no reports of dogs being infected with distemper in this county.
Distemper is a highly contagious disease that can be exposed in many ways, said Dr. Catherine McManus, a veterinarian and shelter medicine resident at UF.
An animal that is infected with distemper can spread the disease through its secretions, such as mucus, as well as through its vomit and feces.
McManus said the disease is common in animal shelter environments because many of the animals that come into Alachua County Animal Services haven’t been vaccinated.
Flagler said it’s important for owners to make sure their pets are vaccinated, and he has advice for students on a budget.
“I encourage them to buy less beer and vaccinate their pets,” Flagler said.
He said it costs more to treat an animal that is infected with distemper than getting a pet vaccinated in the first place.
McManus advises students to feed pets indoors and to keep a close watch on them when outdoors, especially if they haven’t been vaccinated.
According to McManus, symptoms of canine distemper include runny eyes and nose, depression and increased fatigue.
As the disease progresses, there may be gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
If a pet owner has any questions regarding distemper, McManus said he or she should contact a veterinarian.
