Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Wylie sanctuary reports outbreak of distemper among big cats
By TANYA EISERER
Staff Writer
Published: 14 June 2013 11:14 PM
Updated: 14 June 2013 11:14 PM
A highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that typically infects dogs, raccoons and other small animals is spreading through the big-cat population at a Wylie wildlife sanctuary, officials there say.
So far, canine distemper has been diagnosed through blood testing in four tigers at the In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center. An additional 18 tigers and lions have shown symptoms of the disease, which is similar to the measles virus. The facility?s 10 other big cats had not shown symptoms, and officials were trying to keep it from spreading to them.
...
It?s the latest in a recent series of reported distemper outbreaks in several North Texas cities, including Dallas, Allen, Arlington, Flower Mound, Lewisville and Plano. Most of the outbreaks have involved raccoons, which can be afflicted with both the canine and feline forms of the disease.
Full text:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metr...orts-outbreak-of-distemper-among-big-cats.ece
By TANYA EISERER
Staff Writer
Published: 14 June 2013 11:14 PM
Updated: 14 June 2013 11:14 PM
A highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that typically infects dogs, raccoons and other small animals is spreading through the big-cat population at a Wylie wildlife sanctuary, officials there say.
So far, canine distemper has been diagnosed through blood testing in four tigers at the In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center. An additional 18 tigers and lions have shown symptoms of the disease, which is similar to the measles virus. The facility?s 10 other big cats had not shown symptoms, and officials were trying to keep it from spreading to them.
...
It?s the latest in a recent series of reported distemper outbreaks in several North Texas cities, including Dallas, Allen, Arlington, Flower Mound, Lewisville and Plano. Most of the outbreaks have involved raccoons, which can be afflicted with both the canine and feline forms of the disease.
Full text:
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metr...orts-outbreak-of-distemper-among-big-cats.ece