In mid-October, a dog brought into the care of Charleston Animal Society tested positive for distemper, a highly contagious viral disease that attacks a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Distemper can be fatal if a dog is not properly vaccinated.
Distemper vaccination is considered a core vaccine for dogs and is highly effective at preventing the disease. Puppies require an initial series of vaccinations, followed by boosters according to veterinary guidelines. Properly vaccinated dogs are generally protected against distemper, making vaccination one of the most important tools for preventing outbreaks.
Outbreaks of distemper are challenging because dogs can have the infection yet show no obvious symptoms. Additionally, an estimated 60% of dogs entering shelters have no protective immunity to the virus, making them susceptible to the disease…