LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- One of five german shepard puppies turned into Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter on Thursday has been given a presumptive diagnosis of distemper.

"Unfortunately, as of this morning, one of the puppies started displaying some signs of an illness, what we believe may be distemper, which is a highly contagious," Hannah Page, ICACS community outreach manager.

Distemper is an infectious virus with a mortality rate of 50 to 80%. Younger and elderly dogs are more susceptible. The disease causes neurological symptoms but begins with upper-respiratory symptoms. There is no treatment for the virus itself.

Confirmation of the diagnosis will have to wait for blood tests to return next week. In the meantime, the five dogs have been isolated and are being treated for t

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