Editor’s Note: Although the article below was written for the Bahamas most of the information is applicable to the Cayman Islands and elsewhere.

From Bahama islands info

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a serious and deadly illness with no cure. The vast majority of infected dogs will succumb to it or be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering. Very few dogs survive even with the best of veterinary care, which can only treat the symptoms.

Currently the island of New Providence is experiencing a serious CDV outbreak. At last report, over 400 dogs and puppies have already lost their lives to this virus, and those are just the ones known to the Bahamas Humane Society (BHS) since early June. The numbers seen by private veterinarians or by the government run Canine Control Unit have not been reported (why not?), and of course, sadly, there are likely to be many dogs affected that have and will suffer and die on the streets.

CDV affects only dogs and other canids (e.g. raccoons, ferrets and other wildlife like wolves and foxes not present here in the Bahamas). It is not transmissible to humans or cats or any other animals, but it is highly contagious from dog to dog as it is an airborne virus. People who have been around an infected dog can also spread it via their clothing or shoes from one place to another.

The symptoms and details are readily found online and in the sources cited below which were also used in writing this article. Responsible dog owners already know that any unusual symptom their dog exhibits should be seen immediately by their veterinarian. Inexperienced and new dog owners are urged to take note.

The symptoms of CDV can vary widely and some can also mimic other diseases, just as other diseases’ symptoms can mimic CDV. The main thing to know is that if your dog or puppy starts coughing, stops eating, has any discharge from the eyes or nose, becomes lethargic, loses weight rapidly, exhibits vomiting or bloody diarrhea, or any of the above; he or she needs to get to a vet right away. None of these necessarily indicate CDV, but any one of these symptoms do indicate a serious problem.

Some dogs and puppies survive the initial stage of CDV or suffer only a few mild symptoms, only to be hit days or weeks later with the most deadly form of the disease which affects the central nervous system (CNS), and can include seizures, tremors of the limbs, head tilts and wobbles, muscle weakness, paralysis, hypersensitivity and behavior changes. The most common CNS symptom is known as “gum chewing” whereby jaw tremors make it appear the dog or pup is chewing gum.

The good news is that of all the vaccines we are advised to give our dogs, the distemper vaccine has proven very effective, possibly the most effective and long lasting of all the canine vaccines recommended. Appropriately vaccinated dogs are most likely not at risk. If a pet owner is not sure if their dog is protected, they should consult their veterinarian.

At this point the CDV outbreak is contained to Nassau only. There have been NO CASES on Grand Bahama or any other island that we are aware of. There is no need for panic but because our borders are so porous from island to island, the HSGB is urging pet owners on Grand Bahama and other Family Islands to ensure their dogs and puppies are up to date with their distemper shots.

The best way to contain an outbreak is to prevent its spread and take preemptive and proactive measures to prevent future outbreaks. Our counterparts in Nassau at the BHS are working diligently and tirelessly to contain this outbreak in the shortest time possible and also to prevent future outbreaks.

The HSGB has been asking for several weeks, for a moratorium on sending dogs to and from Nassau. We have asked if the Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to restrict the inter island shipping of dogs, and have not received an answer to date. We have also asked what steps the Ministry is taking to contain this outbreak, and to mitigate its spread both on N.P. and on the Family Islands, again with no answers. We have reached out to the Bahamas Veterinary Medical Association (BVMA) as well and it seems they too are waiting for answers from the Ministry.

Having suffered through our own devastating CDV outbreak in 2006 here on Grand Bahama, we know full well what our friends in Nassau are going through. It is excruciatingly painful for the dogs affected and the people who have to see it. We will never forget the sights and sounds of those agonized animals. If anyone is interested in assisting the BHS with donations to help with their efforts to contain this outbreak please do so here:  http://www.bahamashumanesociety.com/donate/

In the absence of any official edicts, we are reduced to literally begging the public to please not send dogs or puppies to or from Nassau at this time. Along with asking the public to make sure their dogs and puppies are up to date with shots.

It would only take one infected dog or puppy to arrive on Grand Bahama to cause an outbreak here amongst unprotected dogs. Which is what happened in 2006.

Please contact your veterinarian, or the HSGB at 352.2477 for more information.

And – to continue helping all the homeless, abandoned, and neglected dogs and cats here on Grand Bahama, please come out for our Pub Quiz this Saturday at Red Beard’s Pub! If you can’t attend would you consider making a donation (no amount is too small!) to help us continue our work?