4 unvaccinated puppies euthanized after getting canine distemper in Dawson Creek, B.C.

The South Peace SPCA in Dawson Creek, B.C., is telling dog owners to make sure their animals up to date on their vaccinations after four six-week-old puppies had to be euthanized because of canine distemper.

"I was very, very surprised … according to the veterinarians in the area it's been about 25 years since the virus was last seen here," branch manager Wendy Davies told Daybreak South's Carolina de Ryk.

Davies said canine distemper was nearly eradicated in domestic dogs after a vaccine was developed in the 1950s, and believes these puppies, which came to the SPCA from a rural property and didn't appear to be vaccinated, contracted the disease from wild canines like foxes or coyotes.

"We're actually quite concerned because we do know that a lot of rural dogs are not vaccinated," she said.

"People feel that the dogs are on a property and do not interact with other dogs as often, so they choose not to vaccinate.

"In fact rural property dogs are more likely to come into contact with foxes and coyotes and those type of animals and are actually higher at risk for contracting things like canine distemper."

Davies said she didn't recognize the symptoms, which include diarrhea, vomiting and a thick yellow discharge from the eyes and nose, but brought the puppies to the vet immediately, who confirmed it was canine distemper.

The four animals were surrendered to the SPCA together, and were immediately put into isolation because of ringworm lesions. The SPCA said it's unlikely they would have transmitted the disease to other dogs.

To hear the full interview with Wendy Davies, click the audio labelled: South Peace SPCA warns of canine distemper.