A distemper virus appears to be spreading among dogs in Rio Rancho. The city's animal control officials say an unknown number of dogs has been diagnosed with the disease. They say they don't know where it originated, but it appears to be spreading within the animal control shelter as well as throughout the city. Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease.
Early signs consist of fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and eye and nose discharge.
Later stages include diarrhea and can lead to seizures and death. The virus can affect a dog of any age. Animal Control says dogs are at risk if they roam free and are picked up and taken to the shelter, where they could be exposed. City officials are asking dog owners to get their pets vaccinated and to be sure they are wearing collars with a rabies tag and city pet license. Animal Control will try to return the pet, if proper identification is displayed, before taking it to the shelter.