[joyfull]

I received this warning from Babbington dog rescue centre where I get my dogs from - please all take note of it and spread the word as this is a very nasty illness 

HEADS UP DISTEMPER OUTBREAK - Please Read if you're in UK- will you please warn all of your dog walkers about the distemper outbreak and to make sure their dogs are vaccinated. It is in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, South Staffordshire, and parts of Southern and Eastern England. It has now reached Derby - 17 ferrets have had to be PTS in Derby with distemper. Several of these have been out and about in Derby before showing symptoms so everyone needs to be aware that it is about.
 
THIS IS BEING BROUGHT IN FROM IRELAND SO PLEASE DONT TOUCH ANY IRISH DOGS YOU ARE OFFERED OR IF FROM A SO CALLED RESCUE CENTRE THAT HAS TOOK FROM IRELAND MAKE SURE IT HAS BEEN FULLY VACCINATED FOR AT LEAST 4 WEEKS, AS THIS IS STARTING TO KILL DOGS AND IS A VERY DISTRESSFUL ILLNESS FOR A DOG TO GO THROUGH!!

[ANHBUC]

Thanks for the heads up will let everyone I know about the threat.  Do you know what other animals other than ferrets and dogs are affected?

[joyfull]

it affects mainly dogs and ferrets but can also affect some other wild life such as stoats etc, luckily not cats.

[ANHBUC]

Thanks joyfull.  I will be praying the mink are affected!

Have just found out that there is also a strain affecting seals
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/species/19887/20814/21561   

[joyfull]

me too regarding the mink.
Shame about the seal strain - a lot harder to vaccinate and treat them 

[arugula]

Thanks for the info. Joy.

[spottymint]

Luckily not a dog keeper, but posted it across to another forum, as dog owners there.

Not posting back their story over there, make you all cry, just hoping the story hit's the national press, about neglect of Shire horses in Bolton.

[tosca100]

Luckily not a dog keeper, but posted it across to another forum, as dog owners there.

Not posting back their story over there, make you all cry, just hoping the story hit's the national press, about neglect of Shire horses in Bolton.

Unbelievable that people are still getting away with this abuse for so long. It's not the only case ongoing at the moment. Dreadful.

As for distemper, i know vaccinations are expensive but it is well worth it when a disease like this starts doing the rounds as it is rare so dogs don't get chance to develop any immunity.

[joyfull]

fingers crossed that by posting this warning in as many places as we can those whose dogs haven't been vaccinated can now get them done now before it's too late.
I remember back in the 1970's when there was the first parvo virus outbreak, there was no vaccination available for it and as a last resort vets were giving cat flu vaccinations. Sadly I lost two dogs to it (one on a Christmas eve - so one of the reasons I hate Christmas) so if I can help stop anybody else going through this I will.

[ANHBUC]

I posted about distemper on my facebook page and to all my facebook friends so they can spread the word.

The horse cruelty is really bad and there has been a horrific incident in the North East recently. 

People who hurt animals should be kept in conditions that you wouldn't keep an animal in.