Irvine Animal Care Center is notifying the public of confirmed cases of distemper within its shelter. Veterinary staff diagnosed multiple puppies, which are being quarantined at the center or cared for at their adoptive homes.

The Irvine Animal Care Center recently transferred in a group of puppies from another shelter, through its Third Chance for Pets program. Some of these puppies became ill and were diagnosed with distemper. Distemper is challenging to identify as the incubation period can last up to 21 days and in early stages can resemble more common respiratory cold and cough symptoms (i.e., kennel cough). 

The center takes precautionary animal health measures with all intakes, but pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic disease spread is a risk. Center staff have quarantined the affected puppies, and the animals are receiving medical care from the center’s veterinarian team.

The City of Irvine is not aware of any other distemper outbreaks within the City; however, it is important for pet owners to realize the dangers of this virus.

Distemper is a viral infection that can infect dogs, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and large cats such as lions and tigers. The virus does not cause disease in domestic cats or humans. Dogs can become infected with the distemper virus from direct contact with a sick animal or from being near an infected animal when it is coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be transmitted through shared food and water bowls, or other objects that were contaminated by an infected animal. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at highest risk for infection with distemper.

Common clinical signs of distemper in dogs include: discharge from the eyes and/or nose, fever, coughing, lethargy, disorientation, tremors, and seizures. The clinical signs are similar in raccoons and other wildlife. Currently there is no treatment for distemper, so preventing the disease in dogs is crucial.

Irvine Animal Care Center shares the following advice for pet owners:

• Vaccinate dogs for distemper: Puppies should receive a series of at least three distemper vaccines between the ages of 2 months and 5 months. Boosters should be administered as recommended by your dog’s veterinarian.
• Protect puppies: Keep puppies at home and away from unfamiliar dogs until they have completed the vaccination series. Use caution when socializing dogs or in areas where dogs congregate, such as dog parks, doggy day care, and boarding facilities.
• Keep dogs away from wildlife: Never allow dogs to have contact with wildlife.
• Keep pet food and water indoors, away from wildlife: Pet food and water left outdoors attracts wildlife, which can spread distemper to dogs.

The Third Chance for Pets program transfers animals from overcrowded shelters where they may have limited chances for adoption, and brings them to the Irvine Animal Care Center for a chance at finding their forever home. Over the years the program has transferred over 13,000 animals. Since these animals come from outside of Irvine, their care is partially funded through donations.

More information about distemper in Orange County is available at OC Animal Care. For additional information about Irvine Animal Care Center, please visit irvineanimals.org.