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Canine Distemper
There are a lot of rumors flying around about what ACC is currently doing to deal with the canine distemper situation at our facility. Following is a statement to try to clarify some of the misconceptions. If you have any questions, please contact us. Thanks.
ATTENTION
ACC has continued to detect canine (dog) distemper in Chicago and is recommending distemper vaccinations for all uninoculated dogs. ACC has detected a possible seventy-six cases of distemper in dogs since April of 2004.
Contrary to the rumors, Chicago Animal Care and Control (ACC) is NOT euthanizing all strays that are not picked up by area shelters and NOT euthanizing owner relinquished dogs as they enter ACC.
ACC is Chicago's only "open door" animal shelter that accepts animals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. By law, ACC cannot refuse to take in an animal. Therefore, ACC is very susceptible to the canine distemper virus that has been detected in the Chicago area. Many of the cases detected have entered ACC's facility already showing the signs of distemper.
ACC has been working on the distemper situation with Loyola University
Center of Conservation since June of 2004. ACC has currently formed a task force of veterinarians, experts on contagious disease, and Animal Control officials to research this problem and to work on a plan of effectively managing the disease in Chicago dogs. The task force met on August 5, 2004, August 18, 2004 and will meet again the first week in September.
As of August 19, 2004, in response to the task force's suggestion, Chicago
Animal Care and Control put a 30 day moratorium on adoptions.
ACC is currently housing healthy, adoptable owner relinquished dogs in
their 30' "Animobile" and in their outdoor kennels and working
with other Chicagoland area animal shelters to transfer these animals to
their shelters.
ACC is currently filling up each sanitized and power-washed stray dog pavilion (approximately 45 cages) at a time. Every dog that enters ACC is immediately examined by the medical staff and vaccinated. When each pavilion is full, the dogs inside it will be quarantined for three weeks for observation of signs of distemper. If no dog has signs of distemper after the three week holding period, all dogs will be eligible for adoption or transfer.
ACC is also limiting wildlife pick-ups to one designated truck that does not transport dogs. All wildlife no longer enter the facility.
Pet owners living near wooded areas and pet owners whose animals spend extended periods of time outdoors should also be concerned with increased potential for wildlife contact. Distemper can be carried and spread by wildlife to pet dogs. Wolves, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, ferrets, and other carnivores can spread canine distemper.
Canine distemper is a serious disease that is easily spread; it is caused
by Canine distemper virus (CDV), which is a virus closely related to the
Measles virus. CDV is most often transmitted through the air (airborne
transmission), usually through droplet exposure from the nasal cavity,
lungs, pharynx and tears of an infected animal. The virus is also present
in feces and urine. Distemper is fatal about 50% of the time in dogs, and
dogs that recover often develop permanent brain and other damage at a later
time.
Clinical Signs and Pathology
Typical signs of canine distemper seen in the domestic dog include respiratory
and intestinal problems such as coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, nasal and
ocular discharge, anorexia, and hyperkeratosis of the nasal planum and
foot pads. Central nervous system signs may follow the above clinical
signs. In wild carnivores, signs of abnormal behavior and apparent lack
of fear, suggestive of rabies, may be the only signs grossly visible.
Often the animals are presented with a purulent conjunctivitis and nasal
discharge and the eyelids may be adhered together with crusty exudate.
Neurological disturbances are often seen such as aggressiveness, disorientation,
lack of alertness, convulsive movements of the head and paws, and aimless
wandering. There may be evidence of diarrhea, labored breathing and an
unkempt appearance to the fur. Due to the diarrhea and vomiting, the
animal may be dehydrated and exhibit excessive thirst. Weakness and emaciation
have been associated with canine distemper, but often animals will be
acutely affected and be presented in good nutritional condition.
The pathological lesions of canine distemper include pulmonary congestion
and consolidation leading to focal pneumonitis. Eosinophilic rounded or
ovoid bodies with refractile particles are found in the epithelial cells
of skin, bronchi, intestinal tract, urinary tract, bile duct, salivary
glands, adrenal glands, central nervous system, lymph nodes and spleen.
At the time of necropsy, an enlarged spleen is usually seen.