Puppy Sold at Naperville Pet Shop Diagnosed with Canine Distemper

The Humane Society of the United States said it confirmed that two puppies recently purchased from a pet store with locations in Naperville and Downers Grove were diagnosed with distemper. One of the puppies died.

Happiness is Pets sold the puppies in December and early January, according to a news release from the Humane Society.

“Canine distemper is potentially deadly and is highly contagious to other dogs,” HSUS Illinois State Director Kristen Strawbridge said in a news release. “We need to get the word out to the pet-loving public who may be inadvertently exposing their pets to this virus by coming in contact with one of these puppies at a dog park or handling or buying a puppy from the Happiness is Pets or Downers Grove stores.”

In a story in the Naperville Sun, store owner Ronald Berning said the illness was an isolated incident and he believed no other puppies were at risk. 

The dog purchased in January did not survive. Though the puppy purchased in December is now 4 months old, it has significant problems, according to the Naperville Sun story.

The Humane Society is urging anyone who recently purchased a puppy that is now showing signs of illness or that may have been exposed to distemper to inspect the dog. Signs of distemper may include fever, loss of appetite, eye and nasal discharge, or respiratory distress and diarrhea.

Anyone who may have purchased a dog with distemper can report the problem to the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The canine distemper virus can cause a number of problems and affect organs including the skin, brain, eyes, intestinal and respiratory tracts, according to the Doctor’s Foster and Smith Pet Education website. The virus typically affects puppies 6 months old or younger, though all dogs can be affected. The disease can spread rapidly in a kennel, especially if unvaccinated dogs are present.