Canine distemper is a serious and potentially fatal virus that affects dogs. It can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms, and is spread through respiratory secretions.
Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs and puppies are at highest risk, but the virus can affect any unvaccinated dog.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and treat canine distemper, and understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment can help ensure the health of your pet.
What Is Canine Distemper
Canine Distemper is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease in dogs. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. The virus is spread mainly through respiratory secretions, but other bodily fluids like urine, vomit, and stool can also contain the virus. Transmission can occur through contact with infected animals and shared food bowls, surfaces, and equipment.
Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated puppies and dogs are at the highest risk of contracting the disease. However, any unvaccinated dog can become ill.
Symptoms of Canine Distemper can vary and include yellow- to green-colored eye discharge, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, depression, vomiting, decreased appetite, tremors, seizures, and paralysis. In severe cases, pneumonia, crusting of the nose and foot pads, severe vomiting and diarrhea, and even death can occur.
Treatment for Canine Distemper is focused on supportive care of clinical signs. This may include gastrointestinal, respiratory, and neurological support. While the disease can be fatal, some dogs can survive with lifelong neurological issues.
Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Signs of distemper in dogs and puppies include:
- Yellow- to green-colored eye discharge
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Sneezing
In some cases, a dog may also show signs of:
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
More severe symptoms can include:
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Paralysis
As well as:
- Pneumonia
- Crusting of the nose and foot pads
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea
- Even death
Any unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dog or puppy is at risk of contracting this highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease. Early detection and proper treatment are key in helping a dog recover from distemper.
Causes and Transmission of Canine Distemper
The main way distemper is transmitted is through respiratory secretions. Other bodily fluids such as urine, vomit, and stool can also contain the virus. Contact with infected animals is the most common route for this virus to spread. Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs and puppies are at the highest risk. Shared food bowls and contaminated supplies, surfaces, and equipment can also be sources of infection. Even dogs that have recovered from distemper can remain contagious for four months or more.
It is important to vaccinate your dog against the virus to protect them from this potentially fatal disease. Taking preventive measures like avoiding contact with wildlife, keeping your dog away from other dogs, and regularly cleaning food bowls and other materials can also help protect your pet.
Risk Factors for Canine Distemper
Puppies are particularly vulnerable to distemper, but any unvaccinated dog can become ill. Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs and puppies are most at risk for this highly contagious virus, which can spread through contact with infected animals, shared food bowls, and contaminated supplies and surfaces.
Any dog that has not had the core vaccination series performed by a licensed veterinarian, or that has not been appropriately vaccinated, is at risk for this serious disease, and should be vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the chances of infection. Owners should take care to avoid contact with potentially infected animals, keep shared bowls and equipment clean, and make sure that their pet is up-to-date on vaccinations.
Treatment of Canine Distemper
Supporting a dog with distemper is the main form of treatment. This involves providing care for the clinical signs that the disease is causing. Gastrointestinal support is needed for severe diarrhea and vomiting, respiratory support is needed for severe pneumonia, and neurological support is needed for seizures. Dogs can survive distemper, but may develop lifelong neurological issues.
In addition, any unvaccinated dog can become sick and so it’s important to vaccinate against the virus regardless of age. Vaccination should be carried out by a certified veterinarian as part of the core vaccination series. This will help to reduce the risk of canine distemper and ensure that dogs and puppies are protected from this highly contagious and often fatal viral disease.
Preventing Canine Distemper
Vaccination is an important way to help prevent canine distemper. Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs and puppies are at highest risk for contracting the virus. The virus is most commonly transmitted through respiratory secretions, other bodily fluids, and contact with infected animals. Shared food bowls and contaminated supplies, surfaces, and equipment can also spread the virus.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that dogs are up-to-date on their core vaccine series to help protect them from this life-threatening disease. Additionally, owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of distemper, and contact their veterinarian immediately if any signs are observed.
With proper preventative measures, dogs can remain healthy and safe from distemper.
