The Hobbs Animal Adoption Center (HAAC) is still fighting a serious outbreak of canine distemper. The public was originally alerted to the problem on March 10 by the City of Hobbs.

Now, a month later, even though HAAC staff and the city’s contract veterinarian Dr. Linda Westall, DVM, have “worked tirelessly to try to rid the facility of the disease”, it persists. A City of Hobbs press release (PDF) of Friday, April 8, states, “Unfortunately, despite staffs’ valiant efforts, the rate of infections [of canine distemper] has not subsided and has increased dramatically.”

City of Hobbs administrators, HAAC staff and Dr. Westall have developed a proactive plan using best practices to address the problem. According to the press release, Dr. Westall has liaised with the Office of the State Veterinarian for advice and assistance. 

The City’s Plan

The public is notified that 

• HAAC is closed, effective immediately (as of April 8). The facility will remain closed for seven to 10 days. The City of Hobbs will inform the public of HAAC’s reopening.

• Until further notice “all low-cost surgeries and vaccinations” are suspended.

• The HAAC facility is being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

• All canines currently housed at the HAAC facility will be given blood tests.

• All canines with negative blood tests but “potentially exposed” to distemper will be isolated. 

• All isolated canines will be continuously monitored and retested.

• “In order to mitigate the harm to the public and any potentially exposed canines, the City will be forced to humanely euthanize those canines whose blood tests are positive for distemper.”

About the City’s decision to euthanize infected canines, Hobbs City Manager Manny Gomez states in the press release, “’This is a very unfortunate turn of events for the Hobbs Animal Adoption Center. Having overseen the facility at a certain point in my career, I know that the team of employees that work there develop bonds with the animals. This decision was extremely difficult but we must act to protect the public and prevent the inhumane suffering of those canines infected. My hope is residents of Hobbs will have confidence that we have consulted the necessary experts in the field and have exhausted all possible remedies prior to taking these necessary steps.'” 

No Cure for Canine Distemper

A cure for canine distemper does not exist. Although some animals recover from the disease, lasting neurological effects remain.  Though no cure exists, there are vaccinations which are extremely effective at preventing the disease.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper

Common symptoms, but not all symptoms, of canine distemper are:

• A pus-like discharge from the eyes
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Reduced Appetite
• Vomiting

The press release additionally states that since the disease “attacks the nervous system, infected canines develop circling behavior, head tilt, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw chewing movements and salivation (“chewing gum fits”), seizures, and partial or complete paralysis.”

How is Canine Distemper Transmitted

• First and foremost canine distemper spreads easily via airborne exposure. An infected canine can spread the disease to another canine by coughing and/or sneezing.

• Shared food, water bowls and/or equipment can also be missiles for spreading the virus.

• “Infected canines can spread the virus for months.”

Other Information

The City of Hobbs reminds dog owners of the necessity to have their dogs vaccinated for canine distemper. The disease is almost completely preventable with proper vaccinations. 

The City of Hobbs asks dog owners to immediately contact their veterinarian should their pet(s) show signs of canine distemper.

The City of Hobbs has notified its “local animal control partners (Lea County, City of Eunice, and City of Lovington)” about the actions that are being taken to curtail the current outbreak of canine distemper at HAAC.

The City of Hobbs asks anyone finding a stray dog to leave it alone and immediately call the City of Hobbs Animal Protection Department at (575) 391-4178. The department will intervene and take care of the problem.