[Lara's mom]

Something strange is going on in Toronto. First, there was the leptospirosis scare in my neighbourhood that ended up taking the life of a really sweet little dog.

Now, there is an epidemic of distemper that is killing raccoons and skunks at an alarming rate. This particular strain of distemper can be deadly to dogs and cats whose vaccines are not up to date although cats are apparently less susceptible to it than dogs.

Are we just more aware of the danger now or, are there stronger and more dangerous strains of these diseases emerging?

[Yogi]

This same thing is going on in Fort Saskatchewan. The woman I sold my last male Papillon to told me that they were not sure what it was if it was distemper or a parvo type virus but that it had been going on since early winter up there.
At that time which was mid November, they still had not heard what it was for sure.

[Lara's mom]

Between the leptospirosis outbreak which hopefully the cold weather has killed off, this epidemic of distemper and the stray voltage occurrences that seem to happen when it snows and they salt the sidewalks, I'm becoming afraid to take my kids out for a walk!!! Lately, there just doesn't seem to be anywhere that's safe to take them.

Mine have all been vaccinated but could they possibly catch it anyway?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Between the leptospirosis outbreak which hopefully the cold weather has killed off, this epidemic of distemper and the stray voltage occurrences that seem to happen when it snows and they salt the sidewalks, I'm becoming afraid to take my kids out for a walk!!! Lately, there just doesn't seem to be anywhere that's safe to take them.

Mine have all been vaccinated but could they possibly catch it anyway?

To be sure I would call your vet and inquire as to this.

[Lara's mom]

Thank you Yogi> I'll do that immediately!

[Todd]

Just don't run to the vet and get the vaccine for your dog though. When was the last time he was vaccinated for this? If he was as a puppy, there's a good chance he may already be immune. Don't panic and get a vaccine. If in doubt, have a titer done, which is a blood test to determine if his immunity level needs the vaccine. I hope everything turns out alright.

[Lara's mom]

The older two aren't due yet and the puppy got his final round of vaccines about two weeks ago.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

Just don't run to the vet and get the vaccine for your dog though. When was the last time he was vaccinated for this? If he was as a puppy, there's a good chance he may already be immune. Don't panic and get a vaccine. If in doubt, have a titer done, which is a blood test to determine if his immunity level needs the vaccine. I hope everything turns out alright.

Todd, if you read my post and her reply this is not what she was going to do. She was going to call the vet to get information as to the protection her dogs already had as to whether they were protected. She was not calling to make an appt to get the dogs vaccinated. Only to get some information with regards to the prior vaccinations as to whether the dogs were protected.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Todd, if you read my post and her reply this is not what she was going to do. She was going to call the vet to get information as to the protection her dogs already had as to whether they were protected. She was not calling to make an appt to get the dogs vaccinated. Only to get some information with regards to the prior vaccinations as to whether the dogs were protected.

Oh yes I know. I was just informing her incase she had any thoughts/speculations about that.

[Lara's mom]

My vet said that they are quite safe although there are no 100% guarantees. Their immunity to distemper should be very strong.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

Oh yes I know. I was just informing her incase she had any thoughts/speculations about that.

Sorry, I just could not tell from your reply that you had seen the end of the discussion.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Sorry, I just could not tell from your reply that you had seen the end of the discussion.

oh, no problem. I should have been more specific.