In spite of this, cats and dogs still die from these diseases. Canine parvovirus, unknown before 1978, affects coyotes. During 1992, the first epidemic of canine distemper in cats occurred in a wild animal compound killing several lions and tigers in Los Angeles County. This disease may have been introduced to the area by relocated raccoons. There is no cure for the contagious diseases mentioned above.
Vaccination is the only real solution for the population.
It is natural to want to treat all sick animals. However, we must decide how our actions will affect the entire population when we work with highly contagious diseases. Unless we have a strict isolation facility, a contagious disease can rapidly spread from one animal to others, multiplying our problem. Treatment of animals with highly contagious, often fatal, diseases can present a dilemma. For example, you are caring for ten healthy dogs and someone gives you two dogs sick with a disease known to kill half its victims.