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Both wild and domestic animals with canine distemper can exhibit a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of disease and the host and age of the species. Possible symptoms generally begin approximately 2 weeks after infection and can include difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, discharge from eyes or nose, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, and later, neurologic signs such as seizures, “chewing fits" (snapping jaw), or loss of fear (especially towards people). Additionally, some animals may have a thicker skin on the nose or feet. Canine distemper is 100% fatal in younger animals and all skunks.
Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals or carcasses, as well as indirectly by inhaling aerosolized particles in an infected animal's urine, feces, secretions (i.e., discharge or vomit), or respiratory droplets. Contaminated food sources can contribute to transmission in wildlife populations congregating around human food sources like pet food left outside or unsecure trash cans or dumpsters.
Canine distemper is preliminarily diagnosed through clinical signs and confirmed with a range of tests. For live animals, diagnosis is confirmed by a PCR of nasal or ocular swabs. For tissue samples collected during a necropsy, such as lung, bladder, liver, kidney, and brain samples, diagnosis is confirmed via histopathology, antibody tests, or PCR.
*Note: Carcasses submitted through Kentucky Fish and Wildlife should/will be tested for rabies first, then canine distemper if rabies is negative. Human exposure cases are submitted directly to the public health lab and will only be tested for rabies.
There is currently no cure for canine distemper. Some animals can be treated with supportive care, but treatment without a diagnosis is not recommended because symptoms may be like those of animals with rabies. There are no licensed vaccines approved for use in wildlife. Modified live vaccines have been documented to actually cause the disease in some species. Off-label use of vaccines should only be administered at the discretion of an attending veterinarian. Administering drugs (including vaccines) to free-ranging wildlife is prohibited under 301 KAR 4:110. In captive wildlife settings, vaccines are used by veterinarians to help prevent animals from developing canine distemper.
Canine distemper does not affect people, but it poses a risk to domestic dogs. Domestic dogs can be vaccinated against canine distemper. Speak to your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog to protect them against the disease.
There is not a vaccine available to prevent canine distemper in wildlife and there is not cure for infected animals. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife does NOT regulate domestic species, but encourages owners to have their dogs vaccinated against canine distemper and to contact their veterinarian if their pets become ill.
The public can help limit the spread of canine distemper by reporting sick wildlife that they suspect could have the disease or rabies. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife collects sick or dead animals for testing and surveillance. Stopping feeding and other activities that congregate wildlife can help minimize transmission among wildlife and severity of an outbreak.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife discourages approaching or touching sick or dead wildlife that exhibit symptoms of canine distemper due to their similarity to the symptoms of rabies (which is transmissible to humans and 100% fatal once visible symptoms occur).
Keeping wildlife wild by not approaching, touching, or feeding wildlife can minimize the risk of you or your pet's exposure from infected animals, especially if an animal is exhibiting abnormal behavior.
Canine Distemper - Cornell Wildlife Health Lab
Canine Distemper - American Veterinary Medical Association
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife seeks reports of sick wildlife, specifically wild canids (foxes, coyotes), and raccoons and skunks that may be showing signs of distemper. Please report your observations!