Canine Distemper: A Word We Never Wanted to Hear
We are deeply saddened to share that we have one confirmed case of canine distemper at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society and one life lost to this devastating disease.
Canine distemper is a contagious virus that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Early symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, and sneezing. In later stages, symptoms can progress to seizures, tremors, and paralysis.
The virus spreads through airborne exposure, such as coughing, barking, or sneezing, and can also be transmitted through shared items.
On Saturday (11/1) we first noticed signs of an unfamiliar illness. We proactively closed our dog kennels beginning on Sunday, and announcing it to the public on Monday. We immediately began deep cleaning with disinfectants proven to kill viruses. The test results came back late Wednesday night, with the unfortunate news of Distemper. Now that we know what we are dealing with, we continue to monitor every dog in our care and are following outbreak control guidance from the University of Wisconsin.
As distemper is only one of many causes of respiratory disease in dogs, we will be conducting PCR tests next week for any dogs in our care with respiratory symptoms. Each test costs approximately $75, and with around 18 or more dogs to test, the financial impact is significant.
Thankfully, due to our immediate vaccination process upon intake and strict cleaning procedures, the majority of our dog population is considered medium to low risk.
Until further notice, we will not be adopting out medium or high-risk dogs, nor will we be accepting owner surrenders or strays. We do have several low-risk dogs at the shelter and in foster care that will still be available for adoption. Low-risk dogs are over 5 months old, were fully vaccinated, and were not known to be housed in the same rooms as the affected dog.
If you find a stray animal, please do your best to help reconnect them with their owner. Check for a microchip at your local vet clinic or animal control, post on 24PetConnect.com, share on Facebook lost and found pages, and consider temporarily fostering if possible.
Most importantly, vaccinate your pets. Canine distemper is preventable, but once contracted, it can be devastating. Even with supportive care, about half of unvaccinated infected dogs do not survive.
We are reviewing all pets adopted in recent weeks, and if any risk is identified, we will reach out directly to the owners. Most pets were vaccinated and are not at risk. However, we still encourage new adopters to monitor their pets and contact their veterinarian with any concerns.
Canine Distemper does not affect humans, cats, or most small animals.
Our staff is working around the clock to care for every animal, and we’re deeply grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding as we prioritize their health and safety. The community's support means so much to our team right now.
How You Can Help
The number of pets in our care, combined with these unexpected medical expenses, is placing a significant financial strain on our shelter.
Please consider donating today at https://tinyurl.com/bddhd5sc
To add to an already challenging week, our cat adoption room is at capacity once again. We will be hosting a Cat Capacity Adoption Event:
🐾 50% off all cats Friday to Sunday (Nov. 7 to 9) 🐾 25% off all cats Monday to Wednesday (Nov. 10 to 13)
We are not out of the woods yet, but with time, care, and community support, we will get through this together.
Canine Distemper Fact Sheet