Share
Fresno and other Valley communities situated near rivers have abundant wildlife.
Thus pet owners are reminded to be vigilant about keeping their animals from coming into contact with wildlife.
Distemper Virus on the Rise in California
Right now, California authorities are warning pet owners of an unusually high number of canine distemper virus cases in wildlife populations statewide.
Canine distemper virus can infect a wide range of carnivores but gray foxes, raccoons, and skunks are the most commonly affected species.
Fish and Wildlife officials note that just as wild animals can spread distemper to domestic dogs, an unvaccinated pet dog can spread the virus to wildlife.
Distemper can cause respiratory, neurologic, and gastrointestinal illness.
“Keeping dogs up to date on vaccinations not only protects pets, it protects wildlife,” said CDFW Senior Wildlife Veterinarian Deana Clifford. “Wild animals can spread distemper to domestic dogs, but unvaccinated domestic dogs can also spread the disease to wild animals.”
Tips for Protecting Your Pets and Wildlife
The Central California SPCA provides the following tips:
Pets
- Pick up food and water before dark.
- Once your pet is inside for the night, lock all pet doors.
Property
- Replace plastic trashcans with metal ones and secure the top. Secure trashcans to a fence.
- If you catch an animal in the midst of a raid, do not attempt to pick up or corner the animal. Use bright lights or loud noises to frighten the visitor away.
- Close the areas around decks, hot tubs, spas, sheds, porches, foundations, and stairways.
Fish and Wildlife also recommends:
- Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other prey.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
1 hour ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
1 hour ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
4 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
5 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
5 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
5 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
6 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
24 mins ago
Categories
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15173402/A-photo-provided-by-Jesse-Pope-shows-Cody-Jay-Pope-right-with-him-in-2012.-The-authorities-found-the-body-of-Cody-Jay-Pope-a-41-year-old-Minnesota-man-who-had-disappeared-two-days-earlier-after-1024x538.jpg)
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15150557/AP24197467333843-1024x576.jpg)
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15171647/Los-Hooligans-court_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15172819/President-Joe-Biden-arrives-to-speak-to-members-of-the-media-in-Rehoboth-Beach-Del.-about-the-shooting-incident-at-Donald-Trumps-rally-in-Pa.-on-Saturday-July-13-2024.-President-Biden-said-o-1024x538.jpg)
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15144853/AP24197697589922_-1024x576.jpg)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15120621/lawsuit-against-respiratory-care-facility_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
![The Wines of Fresno: Tony Kirk, Birdstone Winery](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12152749/Tony-Kirk-Birdstone-Winery-016-1-1024x576.jpg)