What is Distemper?
Distemper is caused by a virus that is similar to the one that causes measles in humans.
It is a highly contagious disease and is the leading cause of death in the category of infectious disease in dogs worldwide.
Dogs who do not receive vaccinations against the distemper virus are at high risk of infection.
The distemper virus can adversely affect a number of body organs, including the brain, the eyes, the skin, as well as the intestinal and respiratory tracts.
How Does a Dog Get Distemper?
A dog can get distemper in various ways.
Inhalation of the virus is the main source of exposure. The virus can be spread through the air such as through coughing.
An infected dog can also shed the distemper virus in all body secretions, such as urine.
Therefore, if your dog comes into contact with a dog infected with distemper, your dog may get the virus easily by inhaling the virus in the air, or getting into contact with the infected dog’s body secretions.
Another possible way for dogs to be exposed to the virus is through contact with some wild animals such as foxes, skunks, and raccoons. The reason is, the distemper virus affect these animals as well.
Dogs of any age can get distemper, but young puppies less than four months old and unvaccinated puppies who are 6 to 12 weeks of age are most vulnerable.
Distemper in dogs can be prevented almost 100 percent by vaccination.
Symptoms of Distemper in Dogs
Many dogs (about 50%) with the distemper virus show little or no symptoms at all. Canine distemper tends to affect dogs with weakened immune systems more severely than healthy dogs.
The first signs of infection usually appear 6 to 9 days after exposure. In mild cases, dog owners usually cannot notice any signs.
The distemper infection develops in two stages.
The first stage is the “mucosal stage”. It involves the mucous membranes (eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts).
The second stage is the “neurologic phase”. It involves the central nervous system.
Signs and symptoms of the first stage include:
- Fever (up to 103°F to 105°F)
- Loss of appetite
- Watery eye
- Nasal discharge
- Listlessness
A few days after the appearance of the above symptoms, the following symptoms will appear:
- A dry cough
- Thick, yellowish, and sticky eye and nasal discharge
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
At this point, some dogs, especially the ones with strong immune systems, may recover from the disease. Weaker ones whose immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the virus will allow the disease to progress to the second stage, which occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the onset of the infection, but sometimes it may occur later (e.g. up to 3 months after infection).
The second stage often involves infection of the brain (encephalitis).
Signs and symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Head shaking
- Tremors
- Weakness in limbs
- Excessive drooling
In some dogs, their footpads and nose leather may also harden.
Treatment of Distemper in Dogs
There is no medication for distemper in dogs. The only real treatment is supportive care. At the same time, the vet will try to strengthen the dog’s immune system so that the body can fight off the disease.
Supportive care depends on the symptoms.
For example, to treat pneumonia brought on by secondary bacterial infections, the vet may use antibiotics. To prevent dehydration, the vet will use intravenous fluids. Anticonvulsants and sedatives are used to control seizures, etc.
Distemper that has affected the brain is particularly difficult to treat.
Very often, if distemper causes encephalitis in the dog, euthanasia is unavoidable as treatment is most of the time inadequate and ineffective.
Can A Dog Recover from Distemper?
A dog with very mild symptoms can recover fully.
Dogs with distemper that causes respiratory or digestive issues have a rather good prognosis if they have strong immune systems and receive good supportive care.
However, if a dog has distemper that has progressed to the second (neurologic) stage, the prognosis is poor. Even if the dog can survive, s/he may suffer from permanent neurological damage.
Home Care for Dogs with Distemper
Since distemper is a disease to be fought off by the body’s immunity, it is important to strengthen an infected dog’s immune system.
Vitamin C is helpful to boost the immune system and to fight infection. If your dog has a fever, give him vitamin C supplements. (Dosage: For small dogs (and puppies), give 250 mg/2 hours; for medium dogs, 500 mg/2 hours; for large dogs, 1000 mg/3 hours).
Also, give the dog a natural antibiotic to help fight infection and boost his immune system.
Prevention of Distemper in Dogs
Distemper in dogs can be prevented almost 100 percent by vaccination.
All puppies should receive a series of vaccination beginning at 8 weeks of age, and then every 2 to 4 weeks thereafter until age 16 weeks to ensure full protection during the first few months of their life.
Keeping the environment clean (e.g. using disinfectants) is another way to prevent distemper. The virus cannot survive over a few hours in the environment at room temperature. The virus can survive longer in colder weather (up to several weeks at near freezing temperatures). If your dog has been infected, therefore, be sure to disinfect your house, the dog’s beddings, etc. to prevent spreading the virus.