KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Young-Williams announced three dogs at their Kingston Pike location were found with distemper and said they were taking precautions for the safety of the animals on Sept. 7.
The Young-Williams Animal Village at 6400 Kingston Pike was closed as they tested and quarantined animals and conducted comprehensive cleaning. On Sept. 8, YWAC said the three dogs were responding well to treatment, saying it does not expect to see any other cases.
On Sept. 14, they said Young-Williams Animal Village was back open and the three affected dogs were "recovering well" and were greeting staff with tail wags.
"In general, if your pet has symptoms of distemper or other pet disease such as vomiting, lethargy, coughing, reduced appetite and fever, please call your veterinarian’s office. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases like distemper and help keep your pet healthy. If your pet is not up to date on its vaccines, please make an appointment with your veterinarian," YWAC said.
It said recent adopters do not need to be concerned about exposure, saying none of the animals at the main shelter were exposed.
The shelter said spay and neuter appointments, located in a separate part of the Village building, would continue. Their main shelter location, Young-Williams Animal Center at 3201 Division Street, also remained open for pet adoptions and other services.
"Thank you for your understanding and patience as we prioritize the health of our animals and take precautions to protect them," YWAC said. "If your pet is not up to date on its vaccines, please make an appointment with your veterinarian. Vaccinations are the best way to help keep your pet healthy and stop the spread of contagious diseases like distemper among animals."