Many of you will remember last year’s distemper crisis at Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS). Then Director Sara Pizano, decided to shut down the shelter, and was ready to kill all animals inside, until the community stepped up of their own accord and saved the lives of all at-risk pets.
Tragically, the same situation has presented itself, yet again. The shelter has been closed for adoptions since last Saturday, and 18 dogs have been killed thus far based on testing positive for the disease.
In addition, several dogs have reportedly been released into the community with this illness. One was already brought back to MDAS to be killed, according to reports.
For those concerned about dogs they’ve adopted or rescued who are showing symptoms, ”Animal Services is offering free distemper testing through Saturday for dogs adopted from the shelter between Dec. 24, 2011 and Jan. 6, 2012. Testing is available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the shelter, 7401 NW 74th St., no appointment necessary.” (according to the Herald). However, please be cautious. Distemper is airborne, so it’s risky bringing your pets back to the shelter where they could be exposed, if they haven’t been already.
Let’s pray that more dogs don’t have to die due to this horrific disease, especially when it’s completely preventable. All dogs that enter MDAS are supposed to be vaccinated for distemper upon intake. Granted, if they have already contracted the disease before intake, the vaccine will not be effective, but any dogs showing signs of illness should be immediately quarantined at the shelter, regardless. This is crucial to stopping the spread of disease.
There were two massive outbreaks last year. It’s a sloppy place run by sloppy people with sloppy thinking. Why would anyone think it would change by replacing a vet with a government bureaucrat, a career government employee? MDAS operates under 1940′s thinking.
It would matter little if they vaccinated them the moment they entered the facility. One vaccination will not prevent the animal from contracting the disease. They need the series.
I have to admit, just the other day I was thinking to myself that you never really hear of a dog or puppy contracting distemper anymore. At least not in my neck of the states. It’s all parvo parvo parvo here.
I can tell you one thing with certainty though. If I had a pup adopted from their facility within that time frame that was not exhibiting any signs of the illness you couldn’t pay me enough to bring it back in there for testing. No way. No how.
This is so sad on so many levels.
Hi Becky,
You’re absolutely right. It is sad for a million different reasons. But I must add that there are different schools of thought on distemper vaccines, and the UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program does state that: “Vaccines for canine distemper have been shown to provide very good protection, even when given only 15 minutes before exposure to the disease!”
Bottom line = all animals should be vaccinated immediately upon intake, and those showing ANY sign of illness should be quarantined.
I totally agree with you that I would never take a dog back to the shelter if it was otherwise healthy. No way, no how.
That very interesting Hannah. Is it a particular brand of vaccine or just a distemper vaccine in general. All our vets preach “the series” before any obedience, dog parks, etc. Something about needing two weeks for the body to produce anti-bodies and other things that go completely over my head. They basically say a four shot series and each series gives 25% more immunity.
Hi Becky – Here is the quote from UC Davis:
“So, the best rule of thumb to follow it to vaccinate ALL dogs (and all puppies 4 weeks of age and older) immediately on intake with a modified-live DHPP vaccine. The DHPP vaccine is also sometimes called a DAPP or a DA2PP.
Note that the DHPP (or DAPP or DA2PP) is is a 4-way vaccine, not a 7-in-1 vaccine. This is the only injectable vaccine that is recommended at intake for shelter dogs. It includes only the 4 diseases that are MOST important to protect shelter dogs and puppies against – distemper (D), adenovirus-2 (A2, also called canine infectious hepatitis virus, H), parainfluenza (P) and parvo (P). 7 in 1 vaccines include additional components, such as corona virus and leptospirosis. These additional components are not recommended for shelters – they significantly increase both the cost and the risk of adverse reactions of the vaccines. So, use a DHPP instead of a 7-in-1 vaccine.
The time it takes for immunity to develop after vaccination varies with the different vaccine components. Vaccines for canine distemper have been shown to provide very good protection, even when given only 15 minutes before exposure to the disease! The parvo part of the vaccine takes a bit longer to work, but certainly, dogs can develop significant immunity within 5 days of a modified live vaccine.”
Is there someone who can donate a trailer to be used to quarantine animals? A simple trailer will save a lot of lives.
MDAS should have a new facility in 2 years with a proper quarantine area. In the mean time, what MDAS needs right now is a trailer or two that it can use for quarantining animals. Director Alex Muñoz says that MDAS has the land and funds for electrical and plumbing requirements, but needs a trailer or facility to be donated.