Los Angeles Animal Services reported a canine distemper outbreak in the city, and officials are urging pet owners to get their dogs vaccinated, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The outbreak was declared after approximately six dogs with the disease were brought into city shelters, reported the paper. The shelters typically see one dog with the disease every two weeks. Canine distemper is a highly contagious airborne virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system of dogs and puppies, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Symptoms include fever, eye inflammation and discharge, nasal discharge, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and lack of energy. According to the AVMA, the best protection against the disease is vaccination. The disease itself is treatable, but not curable according to the AVMA. <HOME>
