CITRUS COUNTY – 

A highly contagious canine respiratory virus called distemper will hold up adoptions at Citrus County Animal Services for a while.

A few dogs have tested positive, so employees are cleaning and disinfecting the shelter. Any dogs that have distemper will be isolated and treated.

Staff veterinarian Julie Rosenberger said people need to vaccinate their dogs.

“That would be the main key in preventing this would be vaccinating the animals before they even make it into the shelter,” she said.

Rosenberger thinks a dog with the virus that wasn’t showing symptoms was brought into the shelter.

Animal Services officials say hopefully the adoption process can begin again sometime after the New Year.

Rosenberger said distemper can be deadly. She said they will help any dogs that test positive fight the virus, but if they get too sick and are suffering, they will be put down.