OCR Text |
Show Severe Canine Distemper Epidemic Strikes SE Utah A severe canine distemper epidemic has struck southeastern southeast-ern Utah, according to Barbara Ozment, Humane Society President. She reports that Grand, Emery and San Juan Counties are heavily affected, and advises that all dogs which have not been vaccinated for distemper within the past year, and all puppies over eight weeks of age, should receive vaccinations immediately. immedi-ately. The disease does not affect humans, but is highly contagious among canines, and the fatality rate is extremely high. Symptoms of the , disease are varied and include discharge from nose and eyes, digestive disturbances disturban-ces and loss of appetite, respiratory problems, depression depres-sion and convulsions in the advanced stages. She urges anyone with a dog showing any of these symptoms to get it to the veterinarian immediately. immedi-ately. "The expense of obtaining obtain-ing the vaccinations or medical treatment is relatively small," Mrs. Ozment says, "and is well worth it to prevent the suffering and almost certain death from the disease." |