Area officials are sounding the alarm after a litter of retriever mix puppies adopted out in the Oak Hill area was identified as the source of a dangerous distemper outbreak. Families who recently brought home one of these pups are being urged to contact their veterinarian immediately.
The Jackson County Dog Warden’s office issued a public warning stating that several puppies connected to a property on State Route 233 have tested positive for distemper — a highly contagious and often deadly disease in dogs.
“We have found the source of the distemper outbreak,” the agency said in a statement. “If you took any of the retriever mix puppies that showed up at Oak Hill Main Express – please call your veterinarian. They can also contact us directly for more information.”
According to the dog warden, officials had been working for some time to remove a group of dogs from the State Route 233 property due to a history of complaints. Court orders were recently secured to intervene, but by the time authorities stepped in, it became clear the dogs were already severely ill.
Distemper is a viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, fever, vomiting, seizures, and in many cases, death. The virus spreads through airborne exposure (like coughing and sneezing) as well as through shared food and water bowls, making it extremely contagious — especially among unvaccinated dogs.
“This is a very serious situation,” the dog warden added. “We’re urging anyone in the area to make sure their dogs are up to date on their vaccinations.”
Vaccination is the only reliable way to prevent canine distemper. Puppies should begin receiving their shots as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by booster shots according to a veterinarian’s schedule. Once infected, there is no cure — only supportive treatment — so prevention is key.
If you recently adopted one of the retriever puppies or have had contact with dogs in the Oak Hill area, contact your vet immediately and avoid exposing your dog to others until they’ve been examined.
