Unvaccinated dogs die from distemper in the interior of SP: 'Outbreak', says veterinarian Unvaccinated dogs are dying from distemper, a serious viral infection, in Aguaí (SP). The veterinarian and founder of Projeto Jurema, Henrique Nascimento Pozer, believes that the city is experiencing an outbreak of the disease. In the last 30 days, the veterinarian removed more than 20 dogs with distemper from the street, 12 of which had advanced disease and required euthanasia - an intentional act of causing the painless death of a patient with an incurable or terminally ill disease. Contacted by EPTV, a TV Globo affiliate, Aguaí City Hall said that it had not been officially notified of the number of animals with distemper in the municipality. (See more below). ? Distemper is a serious and highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs. The virus mainly affects unvaccinated puppies or immunosuppressed and weakened animals, compromising systems such as the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. ? Follow g1 São Carlos and Araraquara on Instagram Rescue of weakened dogs Rescue of weakened dogs with distemper has been a common scene in recent days in Aguaí EPTV/Reproduction The rescue of weakened or agonizing dogs on the sidewalks has been a common scene in recent days in Aguaí. According to the veterinarian, the infectious disease only affects dogs. "It starts by affecting the central nervous system, so the animal has difficulty moving around, it also affects the respiratory system, it develops secondary diseases such as pneumonia, a lot of eye secretion, a lot of nasal secretion and this harms and leads to the animal's death", said Henrique. Some of the dogs rescued by Henrique were taken to private clinics to be euthanized. "The animals arrived in such a deplorable situation that there was no way for us to treat them anymore." More news from the region: PRECARIOUS SITUATION: High forest, garbage and risk of dengue fever: abandonment of park worries city in the interior of SP INVESTIGATION: Theft of meat loads: suspected member of an interstate gang is arrested in the interior of SP CRIME: Cargo of coffee valued at R$380,000 is recovered after theft in the interior of SP The deaths of the dogs could have been prevented with vaccination. "They are dying in our city due to lack of public policies, lack of preventive vaccination, lack of castration, population control and lack of resources to rescue the animals that need them so much." Despite being a contagious and aggressive disease, when treated in time, animals can be saved. Lili is one of those cases and, despite serious consequences, such as paralysis, she managed to survive. Branquinho also had distemper and lives normally. Lili and Branquinho are survivors of distemper EPTV/Reproduction The veterinarian explained the importance of reinforcing the vaccine against the disease annually, in addition to implementing public policies aimed at the animal cause. "All guardians must pay attention to vaccination and we must demand that the public authorities in each city fulfill their role and vaccinate animals that are homeless and animals from low-income populations that are unable to purchase the vaccine and meet this need so that an outbreak does not happen like what happened here", he concluded. City Hall was not notified Aguaí City Hall said that it was not officially notified of the distemper cases. According to the Secretary of Planning, Urban Services and Environment, Wagner Gockos, the city will issue a decree that follows the municipal health code. "Requesting that caregivers, clinics, NGOs notify the city hall about these distemper outbreaks so that we can plan, tabulate, georeference these cases to take more assertive action and control this disease in the municipality of Aguaí", stated Wagner. Rescue of dogs weakened by distemper has been a common scene in recent days in Aguaí EPTV/Reproduction The secretary also said that the municipality has a Conduct Adjustment Term (TAC) with the Public Ministry to assist sick animals, and that the companies that have accredited themselves will act on a random basis, that is, in uncertain and unpredictable situations. "We have to call one at a time to comply with the issue of vaccination, microchipping and also the castration of animals in the municipality of Aguaí", he added. See the full EPTV2 report: Unvaccinated dogs die from distemper in Aguaí, SP What is distemper Vaccine against distemper, a disease that only affects dogs TV TEM/Reproduction Distemper is responsible for the death of 20% of dogs per year, and is caused by inhalation or direct contact with viral particles eliminated by the host, according to the Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine of the State of São Paulo (CRMV-SP). According to CRMV-SP, felines and rodents, for example, are not at risk of contracting the disease. The best prevention for puppies is immunization from 45 days of age. At 75 and 105 days, the animal receives the second and third dose, respectively. By attacking the neurological system, causing aggression and behavioral disorders, distemper can lead pets to death. The disease can manifest itself in three different ways: gastroenteric, respiratory and neurological. In these cases, the sick animal may present vomiting, diarrhea, which progresses to coughing, convulsions, eye and nasal discharge due to pneumonia, in addition to limb paralysis. Treatment is with antibiotics, decongestants, mucosal protectors and anti-inflammatories. REVIEW EPTV VIDEOS: See more news from the region on g1 São Carlos and Araraquara