There is a severe viral disease known as Canine Distemper. Thankfully, instances have been reduced due to comprehensive vaccination, but dogs that do contract the disease frequently die.
How Dogs Get the Virus
Exposed dogs are contaminated by breathing in the Distemper virus, which can be discovered in feces and secretions from dogs who are infected. Unvaccinated puppies under the age of six months are most susceptible.
What the Disease Does
Canine Distemper pollutes the immune cells and advances through the body by means of the lymph and the blood. This weakens the immune system, thus causing the dog to be vulnerable to other types of infections. It also precisely invades some tissues, specifically those of the nervous system. Included in some of the warning signs of Distemper are cough, nasal and eye discharge (which is typically a thick, green substance), fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, thickened toe pads, dehydration, seizures, muscle spasms and even blindness.
How Canine Distemper is Diagnosed
Veterinarians can frequently diagnose Distemper by collecting a thorough medical history and doing a meticulous physical examination. He may utilize laboratory tests to confirm his findings and corroborate the diagnosis.
Treatment for Canine Distemper
While there is no particular treatment that will fully eliminate the virus, dogs that have been infected are hospitalized and often treated for other infections in order to decrease the pull of the symptoms. Around 50-90% of the cases having to do with this disease are fatal. There is generally permanent damage to the nervous system in survivors. Seizures or other issues with the nervous system may appear years into the future.
Preventing Canine Distemper
A good vaccination regimen is the essential route to take in order to prevent Canine Distemper. Starting at 6-8 weeks, puppies should be vaccinated. Young puppies can also receive a vaccination for measles, which also protects against Distemper. Vaccines for Distemper are continued every 3-4 weeks until he grows to 16 weeks of age. Following this, boosters are needed only every 1-3 years, dependant upon which kind of vaccine. It is crucial for female dogs being raised for breeding to be up to date on their vaccinations. This will permit them to produce immunity which will protect her puppies until they reach the age where they are able to get their own vaccinations.
Dogs that have reached adulthood having never been vaccinated may simply need one single vaccination, to be re-vaccinated every 1-3 years. Determine along with your veterinarian which is the best direction regarding vaccinations for your dog.
Any dog having contracted Distemper must be quarantined from other dogs, as the disease is highly contagious. Gratefully, most disinfectants used in the house will kill the virus to prevent it from spreading.