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Pasco County Dealing With Distemper Outbreak

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 18, 2008

DADE CITY - An outbreak of distemper in Tommytown and downtown Dade City has county animal services officials urging pet owners to get their dogs inoculated against the potentially fatal disease.

The current outbreak covered about four square miles in northeast Pasco County.

The disease was discovered in several dogs tested by the county in October, John Malley, assistant manager for Animal Services said.

The county has alerted local veterinarians to be on the look out for other distemper cases, Malley said.

Distemper is carried by wild animals, such a raccoons, foxes and coyotes. It can be transferred to unvaccinated dogs running at large, Malley said.

Dogs infected with the distemper virus will develop a cough that can quickly turn into a fatal case of pneumonia.

Distemper is a common part of the vaccination packages domestic dogs receive, but it's not required as part of licensing a dog.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201.

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