Distemper Virus Threatens Local Dogs
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WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE TheWEDNESDAY | MARCH 7,Baylor 2012 Lariatwww.baylorlariat.com A&E Page 4 NEWS Page 3 SPORTS Page 5 Gay supporters outraged Santorum is back Training begins Former “Growing Pains” star Santorum wins primaries in at least Football starts spring practice in Kirk Cameron receives downpour of three states during Super Tuesday preparation for another season in feedback for his anti-gay comments against other presidential candidates the Big 12 Vol. 113 No. 28 © 2012, Baylor University In Print >>Roles of gaming Distemper virus threatens local dogs Video game research assesses whether games are more By Rob Bradfield has been in the grip of a canine nearly $400 on them, but there enjoyable than actual athletics Staff Writer distemper outbreak for nearly a are limits to what veterinarians Page 4 year. Symptoms of distemper have can do. No one adopting a puppy ex- been seen in dogs from across the The best way to treat a dog with pects it to die after two weeks, but area, and of different age groups. distemper, according to Kristen >> Bears land home run that is exactly what happened to The Texas Animal Medical Dodson of the Hewitt Veterinary Softball goes head-to-head several Baylor students. Center normally sees no more Hospital, is to make sure it doesn’t against Virginia Tech at the Horseshoe Bay sophomore than two or three cases each year, get it in the first place. Baylor Ballpark Lesley Lowry adopted a 6-month- but last year’s total neared 30. “I’d really stress that every- old lab mix from the Humane This year Ervin has already body gets their pets vaccinated,” Page 5 Society of Central Texas at the treated six dogs with symptoms Dodson said. beginning of the fall 2011 semes- of distemper, and as the weather According to Ervin, the mor- ter. Soon after she got it home, the gets warmer and more humid she tality rate for young dogs can be >> Agent MIA dog became lethargic and began expects to see more. as high as 90 percent. $1 million reward for finding places to cower. “It’s a viral infection, so the While puppies are the most information or recovery of Several days later the dog was disease can spread like wildfire,” likely to contract the disease, sick former special agent Robert very clearly sick. It’s nose was dry, Ervin said. or old dogs are also at risk. Levinson oozing mucus and the dog was Canine distemper is an air- The best way to ensure con- having trouble eating. borne disease and can be trans- tainment is to isolate any new Page 3 According to veterinarians, mitted between dogs very easily dogs for a short period before tak- Lowry’s dog was suffering from through contact or simply shar- ing them out in public, and mak- On the Web canine distemper — a highly con- ing space. ing sure all dogs are vaccinated. tagious disease that can be fatal to Symptoms include fever, di- “Everybody wants to see the unvaccinated dogs. arrhea, difficulty breathing, leth- new puppy, but it would be best Lowry’s story is not an isolated argy, dry nose, mucus from the not to take them out before get- MATT HELLMAN | LARIAT PHOTO EDITOR incident. According to Dr. LuAnn eyes and nostrils, and jaw spasms ting them two or three vaccines,” A severe outbreak of distemper has been affecting the dog community at Ervin, owner of the Texas Animal called “chewing-gum fits.” Treat- local shelters in Waco. Medical Center, the Waco area ments are available. Lowry spent SEE DISTEMPER, page 3 Texas DPS says Photo of the day Senior Sona Novakova avoid Mexico returns the ball against Northwestern on Sunday at the Baylor Tennis Center. The Bears won 4-2. for spring break baylorlariat.com By Linda Wilkins Students thinking about go- Staff Writer ing to Mexico should consider the Viewpoints dangers of their trip, even if they The Texas Department of are staying in a resort area that Public Safety and the Baylor Po- was safe in the past, Doak said. “If students lice Department urge students to He said all travelers must research are willing to put avoid going to Mexico for spring their travel plans and make sure break because of the increased they know what they might be themselves on violence in the country. headed into. MEAGAN DOWNING | LARIAT PHOTOGRAPHER The Texas DPS issued a warn- the Internet and “If they do go, there is noth- ing Tuesday about going to any ing the police department can do criticize their part of Mexico, including resort Action on the field about it,” Doak said, referencing Houston freshmen Will Lindsey and Amira Lewally keep their eyes on the ball during a game of soccer university, they areas. Tuesday at Bear Park. Drug cartel violence and other the decreased access to help that should have that criminal activity remains a signif- students may have in Mexico. right. No matter icant safety threat in the country, Doak said the slaughter in Mexico is “senseless” and students how critical despite progress made in battling those issues, DPS director Steven need to apply common sense at Trombone player to compete students are of C. McCraw said in a press release. the highest level when consider- “The Mexican government has ing going there. If students go, their universities made great strides battling the Doak said, they should leave on any given issue, cartels, and we commend their their information with family and against 1,000 others in Paris they can and continued commitment to mak- friends so someone can know ing Mexico a safer place to live where they are. By Kayla Reeves tion, and one who got honorable figuring out what you like and Reporter should say what’s and visit,” McCraw said. Waco senior Skyy Walton and mention in Farrell’s age range. don’t like about them.” Narcotics deals often lead to New York senior Patricia Ko- Phillips said he encourages his Phillips said he knew Farrell on their minds.” One Baylor freshman will play students to compete and audition had a good shot at winning be- violence such as homicides, the nowal were aware of the violence Page 2 his trombone at an international in order to test their skills. cause of his dedication. release stated. It also said bars, in Mexico but decided a cruise competition in Paris this summer. Farrell beat out young musi- “It’s not always about who has nightclubs and resorts are “ha- would avoid much of the problem Bear Briefs Niceville, Fla., freshman Ste- cians from all over the world in the skill; it’s who has the work vens for drug dealers and petty by decreasing the amount of time phen Farrell, a trombone major, the Gagliardi competition by sub- ethic,” Phillips said. “Stephen criminals,” and that resort areas they will spend on land, Walton The place to go to know have had an increase in rape and is one of three finalists in the Gil- mitting a recorded solo piece with outworked everybody else. He’s said. She and Konowal will stop in the places to go assault cases. berto Gagliardi Trombone Com- piano accompaniment. dedicated.” Cozumel to visit the beaches, and To the ballgame The Baylor Police support the petition, an annual contest meant Farrell said it took several This summer, Farrell will play then they will go to Progresso to to find the best tenor trombone Baylor baseball will play Department of Public Safety’s months to practice the song — a new piece from memory in visit the Mayan ruins. players age 18 and under. against Michigan State warning against traveling to the “Piece Concertante” by Samuel front of new judges, while being Walton said her plans for stay- The finalists will compete for Rousseau — and find a pianist to around “probably about 1,000 of from 6:35 to 9:35 p.m. to- country, Baylor Police Chief Jim Doak said. ing safe are to stay in a big group further recognition at the Inter- accompany him. the very best trombone players in day at the Baylor Ballpark. In the first nine months of and not go far inland. She said the national Trombone Festival on He said he rented out Roxy the world,” Phillips said. Tickets can be bought in 2011, 12,900 people were killed in ruins are the farthest they are go- July 5 in Paris. Grove Hall from 8 p.m. to mid- “It’s a lot more pressure,” Far- the box office of the Bill Mexico, Doak said. ing inland in Mexico. Associate professor of trom- night two nights in a row and re- rell said. “I get one shot to play it.” Daniel Student Center or “We are concerned for our “I am a little nervous about bone Brent Phillips teaches Far- corded his piece about 30 times. But for now, with the competi- online at baylorbears.com students and we want all our stu- going to Mexico, but I think we’ll rell, along with two other Baylor “It’s an enjoyable process,” Far- dents to return after spring break,” be fine because we’re going on a students who placed in other age rell said. “You get a lot better by History as we know it Doak said. cruise,” Walton said. groups of the Gagliardi competi- listening to all the recordings and SEE PARIS, page 3 The history department will continue its Charles Edmondson Historical SAE, Baylor Activities Council to hold second Salsa Fest Lectures at 3:30 p.m.