Hopkinsville Veterinarian Says Cases of Distemper in Dogs on the Rise

The canine distemper virus among Hopkins County dogs is on the rise. Dr. Monroe Slaton of Madisonville Veterinary Clinic doesn’t usually see cases of the respiratory virus which causes fever, loss of appetite and nasal discharge.  He attributes the rise in the rate of distemper to new dog owners neglecting to get their pets vaccinated. Slaton says most of the cases are coming from people who have adopted dogs from animal shelters.  The disease spreads to dogs by air, contact, and water.