Wilderness Presidential resort has sent a message to its residents and visitors that several foxes have been seen “afflicted with what appears to be Distemper”. They sent this message out as a matter of safety. They have seen the animals appearing disoriented. Each occasion Spotsylvania Animal Control removed the animal. Animal Control has told Wilderness Pres. Resorts that it seems to believe it may be distemper based on all the symptoms and their experience.
We are publishing this information due to our close proximity to Wilderness Presidential Resorts. Please keep a close watch on your pets until this threat has passed and do not allow any unknown or seemingly unhealthy animals around your pets. If you see a suspiciously behaving animal please contact Orange County Animal Control Officers through Orange Sheriffs Dept Dispatch (as per OCSD page) at (540) 672-1200. Animal Control Officers are frequently in the field dealing with a situation and it is normally best to call the Sheriff’s Office to contact them.
Canine distemper is viral and can infect domestic dogs and cats (although cats infections do not seem as serious), as well as coyotes, skunks, raccoons, ferrets, and Foxes. It is considered highly contagious and is often fatal.
Common symptoms that include high fever, eye inflammation, and eye/nose discharge, labored breathing and coughing, vomiting and diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy, and hardening of nose and footpads. The viral infection can be accompanied by secondary bacterial infections and can present eventual serious neurological symptoms.
Canine distemper is preventable. Vaccination with the Canine Distemper Virus is the best weapon against infection. Along with Canine Parvovirus, Canine Adenovirus, and Rabies, it is considered to be a core vaccine for dogs.
