An outbreak of canine distemper prompted the City of Tulsa to close the Animal Welfare (TAW) Shelter until proactive measures to stop the spread of canine distemper virus (CDV) following confirmation of several recent cases.

TAW will be closed indefinitely while it works to treat animals and prevent further spread.

During this time, TAW will continue with:

• Emergency animal control and bite case investigations
• Return to owner services, following proper sanitation protocols

All dogs adopted from TAW have been vaccinated for CDV, but the vaccine is not immediately effective. Adopters should follow up with their personal veterinarian to receive any necessary boosters.

Effective immediately, TAW will have the following safety protocols in place:

• Identify and isolate infected animals
• Carefully monitor healthy but exposed animals for future symptoms
• Ensure no animals are placed into the community until they are without symptoms or past the incubation period
• Conduct a deep cleaning to reduce further contamination

CDV is a very serious and sometimes fatal viral illness that affects dogs and other members of the Canidae family. It also affects ferrets. The illness can strike a dog at any age, but young, unvaccinated dogs and puppies are most susceptible. The virus is found in bodily secretions and spread via inhalation. Once inhaled, the virus can move to the lymph nodes and then to the blood, spreading to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital and central nervous systems.

Despite its seriousness, many dogs are subclinical or only mildly affected.