What You Should Know About Canine Distemper
February 2008
Q: What is Canine Distemper?
A: Canine
distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus
that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and, often, the nervous
systems of puppies and dogs. The virus also infects wild canids (e.g.
foxes, wolves, coyotes), raccoons, skunks, and ferrets.
Q: How is Canine Distemper virus spread?
A: Puppies
and dogs usually become infected through airborne exposure to the virus
contained in respiratory secretions of an infected dog or wild animal.
Outbreaks of distemper tend to be sporadic. Because canine distemper
also affects wildlife populations, contact between wild and domestic
canids may facilitate spread of the virus.
Q: What dogs are at risk?
A:
All dogs are at risk but puppies younger than four months old and dogs
that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper are at increased
risk of acquiring the disease.
Q: What are some signs of Canine Distemper?
A:
The first sign of distemper is eye discharge that may appear watery to
pus-like. Subsequently, dogs develop fever, nasal discharge, coughing,
lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. In later stages,
the virus may attack the nervous system, bringing about seizures,
twitching, or partial or complete paralysis. Occasionally, the virus
may cause footpads to harden. Distemper is often fatal. Even if a dog
does not die from the disease, canine distemper virus can cause
irreparable damage to a dog's nervous system. Distemper is so serious
and the signs so varied that any sick dog should be taken to a
veterinarian for an examination and diagnosis.
Q: How is Canine Distemper diagnosed and treated?
A:
Veterinarians diagnose canine distemper on the basis of clinical
appearance and laboratory tests. No specific drug is available that
will kill the virus in infected dogs. Treatment consists primarily of
efforts to prevent secondary infections; control vomiting, diarrhea, or
neurologic symptoms; and combat dehydration through administration of
fluids. Ill dogs should be kept warm, receive good nursing care, and be
separated from other dogs.
Q: How is Canine Distemper prevented?
A:
Vaccination and avoiding contact with infected animals are key elements of canine distemper prevention.
Vaccination is important. Young puppies are very susceptible to
infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their
mothers' milk may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are
mature enough to fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine
distemper virus during this gap in protection, it may become ill. An
additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother's milk may
interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even
vaccinated puppies may occasionally succumb to distemper. To narrow
gaps in protection and optimally defend against canine distemper during
the first few months of life, a series of vaccinations is administered.
Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet
owners should use caution when taking their pet to places where young
puppies congregate (e.g. pet shops, parks, puppy classes, obedience
classes, doggy daycare, and grooming establishments). Reputable
establishments and training programs reduce exposure risk by requiring
vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of ill
puppies and dogs.
To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their
dog's distemper vaccination is up-to-date. Ask your veterinarian about
a recommended vaccination program for your canine companion.
Contact with known infected dogs should always be avoided.
Similarly, contact with raccoons, foxes, skunks, and other potentially
infected wildlife should be discouraged.
Although this article provides basic information about
canine distemper, your veterinarian is always your best source of
health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information
about canine distemper and its prevention.
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This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Article Source: http://www.mydogplace.com/dog-content/dog-health-series/canine-distemper-article.html
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