Hundreds of Dogs Euthanized to Contain Distemper Outbreak in TN – Here’s How to Protect Your Pooch

My dog is such a blessing in my life. Every Sunday, I take my daughter to soccer practice. Most of the time, I either run errands or wait for her in the car. Lately, with the weather warming up, her practices have gone from an hour to an hour and a half. It feels like forever sitting in the car scrolling my phone or reading a book. So, when my dog begged to come with us, I thought it would be a nice distraction. He’s my little buddy—my shadow.

The first thing Bru and I did was make a Rural King run. I needed to pick up pellets for the horse's stall. My tiny dog is very well-behaved at home, but in public, he's vocal and social. He loves kids, and his 15-pound body always lets me know when he needs to stop and give a family the sniff test so they can pet him.

While we were in Rural King, we found a spot where another dog had clearly marked its territory (come on, people), and there were plenty of other places my dog wanted to mark, too.

After our stop at Rural King, we headed back to the school where my daughter’s practice was being held and went for a training walk. My dog gets so excited and tends to pull, so our walks usually involve a lot of sitting and figure-eights to remind him to focus on me instead of the myriad of stimuli grabbing his attention.

At one point, we passed a couple of dogs in an SUV who were going absolutely bananas over my little guy. He wanted to say hello, of course, but we kept it moving. I don't normally allow him to get near dogs I don't know. Though he's vaccinated, you never know what other dogs are carrying. Plus, he doesn't know it but he's just a wee thing. See?

Over 100 Dogs Euthanized in SW TN for Canine Distemper

Unfortunately, Memphis Animal Services in Southwest TN is dealing with an outbreak of canine distemper brought in by a litter of puppies. So far, over 100 dogs have had to be euthanized.

Dr. Thomas Slattery, a veterinarian at Walnut Grove Animal Clinic in Memphis told Fox 13, "It can affect multiple body systems and ultimately make them incredibly ill, and very often it's terminal." They went on to say that Memphis's Mayor, Paul Young, called the outbreak "heartbreaking" in a letter but euthanizing many of the animals was a "necessary step" to protect other animals in the shelter and community.

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How Does Canine Distemper Spread?

Canine distemper is somewhat like the flu in dogs. It spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva, causing symptoms such as fever, coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea.

While it might start off resembling the flu, distemper can eventually attack the nervous system, causing neurological symptoms such as head tilts, walking in circles, muscle twitches, seizures, and even paralysis. It can also affect the pads of a dog’s feet and the development of a puppy’s teeth.

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Thankfully, there is a vaccine for distemper that all dogs should receive. The canine distemper vaccine is included in a combination vaccine (DAPP or DA2PP), which also protects against several other common canine viruses.

Currently, Memphis Animal Services is still contact tracing and trying to control the outbreak. Whether you live in the western TN area or not, you should make it a point to get your dog vaccinated.

Read More: Is Tuberculosis Making a Comeback? What You Need to Know

If You Can't Afford a Trip to the Vet

If getting a trip to the vet isn't in budget right now, check with your local humane society or Tractor Supply for a discount clinic. You can also purchase prepared vaccines from Pet Supply stores like Rural King and administer them yourself.

Source avma.org