Wildlife center warns of possible distemper epidemic

Since June, the wildlife rehabilitation center at The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has taken in more than 100 wild animals exhibiting symptoms of the disease. They all have either died or have been euthanized, said center Manager Joanna Fitzgerald.

"Some weeks have just been awful," she said.

As of Friday, the animals have included 91 raccoons, 28 foxes, one otter, one coyote and one skunk, she said.

	AT A GLANCE
	Animals suffering from distemper have nose and eye discharge and have trouble breathing. They might seem disoriented or have seizures. Raccoons with distemper often have feet that look swollen or red. Anyone who finds an animal with these symptoms can call the Conservancy wildlife rehabilitation center at 262-2273.

Fitzgerald said some of the animals have been checked for rabies, which causes similar symptoms, but tests have shown them to be free of rabies.

Distemper cannot be transferred to humans, but it poses a risk to domestic pets. Fitzgerald said pet owners should be sure their pets' vaccinations are up to date and should keep their pets away from wild animals.

Rabies is harmful to people, and because the symptoms look similar, anyone who comes across an animal exhibiting distemper symptoms should be careful, Fitzgerald said.

Animals suffering from distemper have nose and eye discharge and have trouble breathing. They might seem disoriented or have seizures. Raccoons with distemper often have feet that look swollen or red.

Anyone who finds an animal with these symptoms can call the Conservancy wildlife rehabilitation center at 262-2273.

Collier County Domestic Animal Services Director Jodi Walters said her agency has not seen any problem with distemper in the animals it has picked up in recent months.

Fitzgerald was at a loss to explain the wild animal distemper cases except to say that habitat loss is forcing the animals to live in smaller areas where the disease can be spread more easily.