Do Not Bring Unvaccinated Dogs To John Chestnut Park, Pinellas Warns

PALM HARBOR, FL – Pinellas County Animal Services warned area residents to temporarily avoid bringing puppies, senior dogs, unvaccinated dogs and dogs with suppressed immune systems to John Chestnut Sr. Park until further notice.

The warning was released Friday evening after the discovery of a raccoon that tested positive for canine distemper virus at the park, located at 2200 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor.

Canine distemper is a virus that affects a dog’s gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous system, as well as eye membranes. The first signs of canine distemper include sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose. Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhea, depression and/or loss of appetite are also symptoms of the virus.

Pinellas County Animal Services has received no reports of exposures to pets from the infected raccoon. The tested raccoon no longer poses a threat to park visitors and pets. However, representatives from Animal Services said pet owners should continue to avoid the park until further tests on other raccoons are completed.

Park visitors who encounter an animal that appears sick should leave the area immediately, contact a park ranger or call the Parks and Conservation Resources department at (727) 582-2100.

Animal Services also recommends pet owners to keep vaccinations for their dogs and cats up to date to prevent the spread of diseases.

Image via Big Cypress National Preserve, Flickr, used under Public Domain