Canine Distemper Signs, Treatment and Prevention Banfield P... https://www.banfield.com/pet-healthcare/additional-resources/artic...

Canine Distemper: A very serious and

potentially fatal disease in dogs

Canine distemper is a dangerous and highly contagious

viral disease transmitted by contact with an infected
animal. Since it can be fatal if contracted, the
importance of knowing how the disease works and
vaccinating your dog against canine distemper cant be
stressed enough.

Below, youll find more information about the signs,

diagnosis, treatment and how you can prevent it with a
dedicated vaccination schedule.

Susceptibility and Transmission

Distemper is commonly seen in young puppies between 3
and 6 months of age but can occasionally be found in
younger or older pets. While it is primarily a disease of
dogs, it can also be seen in other animals, including
ferrets, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks. The disease
spreads in an aerosol-like mannerthrough infected
droplets of body secretions from the nose, eye or mouth.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper:

Canine Distemper usually starts with several common
signs of respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and
eye and nasal discharge. Other, symptoms include:

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Gastrointestinal (GI) signs such as vomiting,

diarrhea, lack of appetite, dehydration and weight
loss.
These signs are typically seen shortly after the
onset of the respiratory illness.
Neurological signs such as tremors of the head, neck
and/or one or more legs (most often seen when a
dog is asleep), stumbling, seizures and/or paralysis.
These signs can accompany the respiratory and
GI problems but usually occur one to three
weeks after recovery from these signs.
Physical changes such as overgrowth of the foot
pads can also occur. Teeth abnormalities can be seen
in dogs that recover from the disease.

Diagnosis and Supportive Care

Diagnosing your dog with canine distemper can be
difficult. Its often based on clinical signs and the age of
your pet. There is no specific test for canine distemper,
but certain lab tests may be helpful in confirming the
diagnosis. Your veterinarian can discuss these particular
tests with you in greater detail.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for dogs with distemper is

guarded to poor. It depends on the severity of the
illness, but dogs that show neurologic signs generally
have a poorer prognosis.

If your dog contracts distemper, supportive care is the

only treatment available. This can include IV fluids,
anti-seizure medications and medications to help control
vomiting and diarrhea. Antibiotics are also often used to
treat secondary bacterial infections that may be present
as well.

Dogs that have been diagnosed with and are recovering

from distemper should be separated from other dogs for
at least two weeks after they have stopped showing
clinical signs.

Preventing Canine Distemper

Its important to note that canine distemper is
preventable with the appropriate vaccination schedule.
Your puppy should be vaccinated at 6 to 8 weeks of age
and then every three to four weeks until your pet is 16
to 20 weeks of age.

This is then followed by a booster vaccination one year

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later, and then every one to three years in adult dogs or

as determined by your veterinarian.

Did you know?

All Banfield Optimum Wellness plans for puppies and
adult dogs include distemper vaccinations in addition to
other important preventive care services.

Learn more about how you can protect your pet by

building your Optimum Wellness Plan today.

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