The Courier-Journal (Louisville)

What is canine distemper? LMAS to reopen shelter after negative test

A day after closing Animal House due to a possible case of distemper, Louisville Metro Animal Services is reopening its doors at noon on Friday after a test came back negative, according to a Facebook post.

Metro Animal Services halted adoptions and stopped taking in dogs at its Animal House, 3516 Newburg Road, on Thursday out of an abundance of caution, officials said.

“We are committed to the well-being of all animals in our care and the community,” Interim Director Adam Hamilton said in a Thursday press release. “Halting intake and adoptions are the best way to ensure animals are safe. While we vaccinate upon intake, not all pets have built immunity. We appreciate the public’s cooperatio­n during this time.”

Here is what you need to know about distemper:

What is canine distemper?

Canine distemper is an infectious disease that affects the respirator­y, nervous, gastrointe­stinal systems of the animals who have it, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources.

What are the symptoms of canine distemper?

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, the symptoms depend on the stage of the distemper and the “host and age of the species.” The symptoms usually begin two weeks after the animal was infected. Here are some of the symptoms:

● sneezing

● discharge from eyes or nose

● diarrhea

● coughing

Can domestic dogs be vaccinated against distemper?

Yes. There are combinatio­n vaccines, which are considered “core,” that include the distemper vaccine, according to the American Veterinary Medical Associatio­n.

Vaccines should be administer­ed to dogs as puppies or as soon as possible. The American Veterinary Medical Associatio­n recommends talking with your veterinari­an about the best course of action for adult dogs who are missing vaccines or overdue on them.

Does canine distemper affect people?

No.