MOUNT VERNON — Things are looking up at the Knox County Dog Pound, according to Dog Warden Roger Reed.
On Sunday, Reed said that the canine distemper virus which infiltrated the pound appears to be contained. No more animals have died and no new cases of infection have been confirmed.
“I think we have rounded the corner,” said Reed. “We’ll know more later in the week when we have Dr. Price come in and take a look, but I think things are definitely looking up.”
According to Reed and veterinarian Greg Price, one dog in the pound had been experiencing a runny nose for a few weeks running up to the outbreak. Then, two weeks ago, pound workers noticed a dog exhibiting more serious symptoms, and the decision was made to send it to the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
According to Price, the animal had to be euthanized, and the pound received the news Feb. 22 that the dog had distemper.
After learning of the outbreak, pound workers quarantined the building and gave all the animals a vaccine against the disease.
Workers are also keeping the pound closed to visitors, and the remaining sick dogs are being kept separate from the rest of the pound animals.
The county pound currently houses 40 to 50 animals. Approximately 10 animals were infected with distemper; five died as a result. Most of them were puppies, whose young immune systems could not fight off the disease.
Reed said that once it has been confirmed that the disease has stopped spreading, the county will begin discussing when and how it should lift the quarantine.
Knox County Commissioner Allen Stockberger has also expressed interest in the possibility of vaccinating all dogs brought into the pound in the future. According to Price, basic puppy shots include protection against distemper.