Frankfort, KY (August 20, 2004) - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) has been receiving calls concerning sick raccoons from the following counties: Franklin, Jefferson, Oldham, Mclean, Scott, Shelby and Warren. All reports have been isolated cases involving one to three animals each. There has been a confirmation of canine distemper from an animal tested from Franklin County. Results are pending from two other submissions.

Canine distemper is not a threat to humans. 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. 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. 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.