Free parvo/distemper vaccines

By Nick Cullen, KCAS

Kern County Animal Services (KCAS) is offering free parvo/distemper vaccinations for dogs at their Wednesday evening vaccination clinics. All Kern County dog owners are eligible.

Why the generous offer? There has been a significant increase in the cases of canine distemper virus in shelter animals. The easiest, most efficient way to protect both owned animals and shelter animals from distemper is by increasing the community animals’ immunity through vaccination.

Distemper is a highly contagious and potentially deadly viral illness in dogs, with no known cure. But it is easily preventable through vaccination. It can be transmitted through the air, and can be communicated by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal.

Distemper symptoms include runny nose, watery eyes, fever, lethargy and neurological symptoms like twitching. It is more commonly seen in puppies that have yet to fully develop their immune system, but is sometimes seen in adult and adolescent dogs.

KCAS says the health of our county’s canine population can be improved if everyone follows these simple guidelines:

• Vaccinate your pets, especially against illnesses like distemper and parvovirus that are endemic to Kern County;

• If you are intending to surrender a dog, have the dog vaccinated several days prior to bringing the dog to any shelter;

• If your own animal begins to display signs of illness, seek immediate veterinary care.

These free vaccines are made possible by a grant from the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, which KCAS anticipates will fund another several months’ of free vaccinations. So come get yours while they last.

Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m.
Kern County Animal Svcs.
3951 Fruitvale Ave., Bakersfield

This is part of the October 26, 2018 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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