Distemper in dogs, also known as canine distemper, is one of the most common and deadly viral infectious diseases for dogs. Distemper affects the digestive and respiratory systems of dogs. In advanced cases, it can also affect the nervous system This disease is caused by a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family, similar to that of human measles.
We are talking about a serious disease, which can affect all types of canids, such as foxes, wolves, dingoes or coyotes, however, it is especially common in domestic dogs, primarily puppies, immunosuppressed adult dogs, or unvaccinated adult dogs. Canine distemper is a potentially lethal disease, since there is no treatment.
In this article on our site we will talk in detail about distemper in dogs, the most common symptoms of the disease, the forms of contagion that exist, the diagnosis of distemper in dogs, the measures that our veterinarian can take for treatment and even some home remedies that can alleviate the symptoms suffered by the dog. Everything you need to know about canine distemper below.
What is distemper in dogs?
Canine distemper, also known as canine distemper or Carré's disease is a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus, of the family of Paramyxoviruses. It is a viral-type infectious disease extremely contagious that affects domestic dogs, but also various wild animals, such as: ferrets, mink, skunks, otters, badgers, raccoons, red pandas, bears, Asian elephants, Japanese monkeys and even large cats. It is a particularly serious pathology that causes a high mortality
Mainly affects puppy dogs, although it is also common in unvaccinated adult dogs and elderly dogs. In principle, if we correctly follow the vaccine schedule, it is unlikely that our dog will suffer from distemper disease. Currently there is a specific vaccine to prevent the development of the virus, however, the effectiveness is not 100%.
Immunocompromised dogs, those that cannot mount an adequate immune response due to secondary disease, for example, are more vulnerable to get infected even when vaccinated. This is why it is so important to avoid high levels of stress and start any treatment promptly.
How is distemper spread?
The contagion of canine distemper occurs when a he althy animal comes into contact with viral particles found in the environment, in the form spray. It is closely related to the measles virus and rinderpest. A sick animal can infect an area, even outdoors, for hours, thus causing contagion between individuals. Likewise, an animal that has already overcome the disease can also transmit it up to four months after having recovered.
The virus replicates in the lymphatic tissue of the respiratory tract, subsequently infecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital epithelium. It also affects the central nervous system (CNS) and the optic nerves. The host's immunity is what will determine the degree of viremia, that is, the level of severity.
As we have already highlighted, the group at greatest risk are puppies, especially those dogs under four months of age. Although breast milk offers them some immunity, we must take all possible precautions, as distemper in dogs can also be transmitted through the fluids of infected animals, including the remains in the water and the food they have consumed.
Distemper in vaccinated dogs
Annual dog vaccination considerably reduces the presentation of the canine distemper virus, however, it is not 100% effective, therefore that a high number of cases among the population of our country can cause our dog to contract distemper. For this reason it is so important to ensure compliance with vaccination in the greatest number of individuals possible.
Does distemper spread to people?
We have pointed out that the canine distemper virus is closely related to the measles virus, very common in children, we must know that dog distemper is not spread to people, since it is not caused by the same infectious agent. Thus, we emphasize that canine distemper is not a zoonotic disease and although it can affect other canids or animals, humans are not one of them.
So, when we take care of our dog with distemper we will not suffer any risk or the possibility of getting infected, which is possible with other of our pets, like other dogs.
Symptoms of distemper in dogs
In general, once 3 to 6 days have passed after infection, we begin to observe the first signs of canine distemper. In some cases they can go unnoticed by caregivers, which is why it is so important to pay attention to any abnormal signs that occur in our dogs.
We will observe transient fever and anorexia (the dog stops eating) while leukopenia occurs, that is, a low production of blood cells white in the blood. After this period of fever, the dog will appear he althy, until a second phase of fever appears, in this case accompanied by a serous nasal secretion, watery or with pus. We can also observe mucopurulent ocular discharge and that the dog is especially lethargic, not wanting to do anything.
Gastrointestinal signs, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as respiratory signs, including shortness of breath or coughing, are caused by due to secondary bacterial infections. It can also occur pustular dermatitis, that is, a red lesion on the skin that contains areas of purulent content.
Those individuals who survive also show hyperkeratosis of the footpads and nose, ie severe damage to these parts of the body, as well as hypoplasia of tooth enamel. Later the neurological signs will appear, including involuntary muscle contractions, salivation, jaw movements, head tilt, or paralysis.
Briefly, the canine distemper symptoms are:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Decay in general
- Weightloss
- Dehydration
- Nasal discharge
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Red Eyes
- Conjunctivitis
- Dry keratitis
- Cornea ulcer
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cushion hardening
- Skin rashes
- Ataxia
- Involuntary muscle movements
- Seizures
- Apoplexy
Types of distemper in dogs
In addition to everything mentioned, there are various clinical forms of distemper that are worth knowing, since the clinical manifestation will indicate to the veterinarian which is the most appropriate treatment to apply:
- Sharp: is the most common. Incubation occurs between 7 and 14 days after infection, then fever, leukopenia, conjunctivitis and anorexia appear. We will also observe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Secondary bacterial infections are common.
- Subacute: signs that affect the central nervous system develop from a systemic disease, such as acute encephalomyelitis. We can observe sudden involuntary contractions, paralysis of the hind limbs, seizures, pedaling of the limbs, involuntary urination, vocalization, fear reactions and even blindness in the dog. Various symptoms or none may appear. Likewise, some may take weeks and months to appear.
- Chronic: it is rare and usually appears in dogs between 4 and 8 years old. It occurs slowly and occurs as a consequence of an immune-mediated process that causes multifocal encephalitis. The dog begins with hindlimb weakness, paralysis, and head tremors. A good recovery may occur. In dogs older than 6 years, it can also appear as a consequence of a chronic encephalitis of the elderly dog that includes ataxia, circling movements and behavioral changes. These animals are not infectious.
Diagnosis of distemper in dogs
It is common for owners to wonder how to know if my dog has distemper, since some characteristic symptoms of the disease are also present in other pathologies, such as canine leptospirosis or infectious canine hepatitis. In fact, in some cases, the most characteristic symptoms do not appear until the disease has advanced. In others, if the individual has suffered from bacterial and viral infections, it is very likely that these have masked the symptoms of canine distemper.
Thus, although it is a particularly common disease and known to veterinarians, it is not always easy to make an accurate diagnosis, so specific tests are requiredthat allow us to confirm this infectious disease. To confirm canine distemper, our veterinarian will pay attention to the dog's clinical history (its symptoms, vaccination schedule, etc.), the physical examination and laboratory tests. In many cases there are false negatives
The tests for the diagnosis of canine distemper are:
- Hematology
- Serology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Treatment of distemper in dogs
The treatment of canine distemper contemplates an improvement in the individual's symptoms, limiting the progression of possible secondary bacterial infections and controlling of neurological manifestations. However, as we have already told you, there is no treatment that allows you to eliminate the virus once it has appeared.
When one or more symptoms appear, we will go to the vet, who will confirm or rule out the diagnosis of distemper in dogs. He may prescribe the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, antipyretics, analgesics, anticonvulsants, electrolyte solutions, specific nutrition and certain care. The earlier the disease is detected and treatment is started, the better the prognosis. In the most serious cases, the hospitalization of the dog in the veterinary hospital to administer serum and drugs intravenously will also be assessed.
It is important to note that no treatment for distemper in dogs is successful in 100% of cases. Likewise, when the dog presents serious and progressive neurological signs, we must know that the prognosis may be unfavourable. In other cases, signs will persist after recovery
How long does distemper last?
The prognosis of distemper in dogs is reserved, therefore it is not possible to offer an estimated recovery time of the dog. His he alth status, vaccination status and the care offered by the veterinarian or by the dog's guardian will depend on this. As it is a life-threatening disease, we must remember that some dogs do not survive this serious disease. We will always consult with our veterinarian.
How to prevent canine distemper?
The most effective way to prevent the spread of distemper virus in dogs is by following the dog vaccination schedule. Your vet will advise you on dosage and frequency, but it is most common for puppies to be vaccinated between 6 and 12 weeks of age three times to get immunized Thereafter, a reminder will be held on a regular basis, usually every year.
Although the labeling of most vaccines indicates annual use, various tests indicate that their effectiveness is around three years. Even so, episodes of stress, illness or immunosuppression can favor contagion, as well as the local prevalence of the disease, which is why vaccinating generically is continued every yearall over the world.
How to take care of a dog with distemper?
Care for a dog with distemper will vary depending on the individual. We will take into account your age, the symptoms you present, the clinical form and any other relevant factor that may modify the following guidelines, always prescribed and/or endorsed by our veterinarian Trusted.
We will strictly follow the medical treatment prescribed by the veterinarian, which may include the use of antibiotics, antiemetics, antipyretics, anticonvulsants and analgesics. It will be essential to respect the doses and hours prescribed by the specialist, very important.
On the other hand, we will offer our dog a comfortable and comfortable environment It should have a soft and warm bed, completely avoiding humidity, drafts or cold. Especially if the dog shows productive symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, we will cover the bed with a towel, in this way we will be able to sanitize his space more easily. In no case will we leave our dog outside, it should always be inside the home if we want a speedy recovery.
Likewise, we will observe its evolution, writing down the symptoms we observe in a notebook to know if they remit or not, taking the temperature at our dog once or twice a day and analyzing the color of its secretions and stools. We will share all this information with our veterinarian to guide us in terms of care or medication.
It is advisable for the dog to hydrate regularly. To do this we will encourage you to drink water, likewise, to enrich your diet and provide you with extra heat, we can offer you chicken or fish broth, without s alt or onion. Another great way to hydrate him is through wet food, preferably we will opt for gastrointestinal canned food, of veterinary prescription, which we will find in any he alth center. Home cooking can also be a good option.
To finish, remember that it will be essential to keep him isolated from other dogs, thus, we will avoid walking him in areas where other dogs are frequently found and we will keep the other dogs in the home away for the time it takes to recover and completely expel the virus, which is around four months.
Distemper in dogs: home remedies
It is very important to note that there are no home remedies to cure canine distemper that are 100% effective, just as there is no veterinary treatment. However, there are formulas to improve the well-being of the individual and their recovery, therefore, if you have been wanting to know more, we encourage you to also learn about some home remedies for distemper in dogs on our site that will help you relieve the symptoms of discomfort that your dog presents, totally natural.
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