August 2012 by Dr. Ellen Jefferson, DVM

Audience: Veterinary Team

Video Length: 34 minutes

In an effort to save all the injured and sick animals at the city shelter, Austin Pets Alive developed a program for parvovirus treatment and a protocol for distemper treatment. As a result, save rates for these diseases approach an impressive 85%. In this session, presented at the 2012 Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Conference at the University of Florida, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Veterinarian and Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive, discusses the disease and the methods used to treat and care for animals suffering from the illness. She will also talk about why distemper occurs and how to prevent it.

Learning objectives:

  • Learn how to save dogs with canine distemper virus
  • Discover how to prevent distemper virus
  • Identify how to leverage the community so your shelter can afford to save affected pets

After viewing the presentation, click here to take the quiz and receive a Certificate of Attendance!

About Dr. Ellen Jefferson, DVM

Dr. Jefferson is a leader in Austin's No-Kill effort. She joined Austin Pets Alive as Executive Director in 2008 and began applying best practices in efficiency and operations to resolve Austin's previously high euthanasia rate. Within the first year of her leadership, Austin Pets Alive reduced euthanasia in Austin by more than 20%, and in 2011, Austin reached a 91% save rate. She founded EmanciPET in 1999 and has been its Director for nine years. Before that she worked nights as an emergency room veterinarian, volunteering during the daytime at the local animal shelter. She graduated from Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.

Since 2008, Dr. Jefferson has been the Mayor's appointee to Austin's Animal Advisory Commission, and in 2009 she was a finalist for the Austin Under Forty Awards. She also served on the Nation Spay/Neuter Task Force from 2007-2009 and has had work published in the peer-reviewed veterinary literature.