What is Canine Distemper?
Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks puppies' and dogs' respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
The virus has also been found in foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink, and ferrets, as well as lions, tigers, leopards, and other wild cats, as well as seals.
Can Canine Distemper spread?
Yes, Puppies and dogs are most commonly infected by the virus from an infected dog or wild animal through airborne exposure (sneezing or coughing). The virus can also be spread through shared food and water bowls, as well as equipment. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months, and mother dogs can pass the virus to their puppies through the placenta.
Because canine distemper affects wildlife populations, contact between wild animals and domestic dogs can help the virus spread. Canine distemper outbreaks in local raccoon populations can indicate an increased risk for local pet dogs.
Can your dog be at risk?
Yes, All dogs are at risk, but puppies under four months old and dogs who have not been vaccinated against canine distemper are more likely to contract the disease.
What are the symptoms of Canine Distemper?
Infected dogs will initially experience watery to pus-like discharge from their eyes. Fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, decreased appetite, and vomiting follow. Infected dogs exhibit circling behavior, head tilt, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw chewing movements and salivation ("chewing gum fits"), seizures, and partial or complete paralysis as the virus attacks the nervous system.
The virus may also cause footpads to thicken and harden, giving rise to the term "hard pad disease."
Canine distemper infection in wildlife is very similar to rabies.
Distemper is frequently fatal, and dogs who survive usually suffer permanent, irreversible nervous system damage.
How is canine distemper diagnosed and treated?
Canine distemper is diagnosed by veterinarians based on clinical signs and laboratory testing. Canine distemper infection has no cure. Supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections, control vomiting, diarrhea, and neurologic symptoms, and combat dehydration through fluid administration are typical treatments. Canine distemper infected dogs must be kept separate from other dogs to reduce the risk of further infection.
How is canine distemper prevented?
- When the immune system has not yet fully matured, puppies are given a series of vaccinations to increase their chances of developing immunity.
- Avoid immunization gaps and ensure that distemper vaccinations are up to date.
- Avoid coming into contact with infected animals and wildlife.
- When socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs in parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy daycare, and other places where dogs congregate, exercise caution.
- Pet ferrets should be immunized against canine distemper with a ferret vaccine approved by the USDA.
