Do I need to sanitize my home of dog distemper?

Do you have to wait six months after a pet has died of dystemper to get a new pet? Do I need to clean up somehow?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Erika Raines El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Canine distemper virus, so called because it causes distemper in dogs, is not a very stable virus. Under ideal conditions, it can only last up to three hours in the environment. If it is frozen it can last for years, but once thawed it will only be viable for up to three hours. You should not need to wait any significant time before adding a new dog to your household, particularly if you follow your veterinarians vaccination recommendations for the new dog. If you are worried, canine distemper virus is able to be killed by regular household cleaners. The most important things to clean well or discard and replace will be your previous dog's food dishes and bedding.

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