Ann:

First, to assuage your fears: it is CANINE distemper that ferrets are
susceptible to, not feline distemper. They are completely different
viruses that have nothing to do with one another.

Second: the "bring distemper in on your shoes" tale is MOSTLY a myth.
Generally, the distemper virus does not survive for more than about 10
minutes outside the host, so it usually requires physical contact with
an infected host to pass on the disease, or contact with something the
carrier has been in contact with no more than a few minutes before.

VERY occasionally, it has been known to survive somewhat longer in
things like feces, so it is remotely possible to track it into your
house on your shoes, but unless your neighborhood is full of very
recent dog piles the odds of doing that are probably about the same
as getting struck by lightning. Not impossible, but nothing to worry
overmuch about.

Lonny Eachus
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[Posted in FML 7829]