With longer days, warmer weather and a little more breathing room in the schedule, summer often feels like the perfect time to bring home a new dog.
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory is urging new pet owners to be aware of the signs of distemper when adopting. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife) At the same time, summer often brings a surge in dog shelter populations. Waves of spring-born puppies, combined with dogs of all ages, can overwhelm shelter space and force animals into close-contact conditions.
The close proximity can increase exposure to harmful diseases such as canine distemper virus, CDV, said experts with the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL. Even with effective vaccines available, this highly contagious virus can sweep through shelters, posing a serious threat to vulnerable dogs waiting for a new home.
