Canine Distemper

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is often fatal for dogs. This article will look at the how distemper is spread, the signs of illness, the treatment of the disease, and how you can protect your dog.

Spread. 

The virus that causes distemper is shed in all body secretions. The main route of spread is by inhalation of the viral organism. Dogs that have not been vaccinated or have been under-vaccinated are especially at risk.

Signs.

The distemper virus can cause problems in the respiratory system, the nervous system, and the GI system. Because the virus can cause problems in multiple organ systems, the signs may vary greatly. Dogs can have any of the following signs: 

fever, depression, loss of appetite, ocular or nasal discharge, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, damaged tooth enamel, muscle twitching, thickened nose, and foot pads, and eye lesions. 50% of dogs with distemper will die. Death can occur from 2 weeks to three months after infection has taken place.

Diagnosis. 

Diagnosis is generally based on vaccination history and physical examination. Bloodwork, including a complete blood count and chemistry, cytology, and serology may also be done.

Treatment.

Treatment is mostly supportive and can include antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, IV catheterization and fluids to correct dehydration, and medications for seizures. Neurological damage is often permanent and thus any 

neurological signs will likely persist if the dog survives the viral infection. Since there is no specific cure for distemper, it is best to take measures to prevent infection.

Prevention. 

The best way to prevent your dog from getting distemper is assure that your dog is vaccinated properly. Puppies should be vaccinated every three weeks from age 7-8 weeks until four months. It is very important for puppies to get their entire series of vaccinations since one shot is often not enough to protect the dog from distemper. Adult dogs should be vaccinated every year. Since the virus can be excreted from an infected dog for up to 2-3 months after infection, isolation of infected animals is critical. 

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of your regular veterinarian. Please do not hesitate to contact your regular veterinarian if you have questions regarding your pet.