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Canine distemper is a
highly contagious disease caused by canine distemper virus (CDV). It may
affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurologic systems in the body.
It is generally transmitted through contact with mucous and watery
secretions discharged from the eyes and noses of infected dogs. However, it
can also be transmitted by contact with urine and other bodily fluids of
infected dogs, so your dog may become infected without coming into contact
with an infected dog. Air currents and inanimate objects can also carry the
virus. Distemper was a common infection in dogs many years ago, but the incidence has been significantly decreased through widespread vaccination of dogs. Canine distemper is now most commonly seen in young, unvaccinated or immune-compromised dogs. More than 50 percent of dogs that contract the disease die from it. Even if a dog doesn’t die, canine distemper can cause irreparable damage to the nervous system, leaving the dog with partial or total paralysis or seizures. Canine distemper can strike any dog of any breed or any sex, although it is most common in young dogs. What To Watch For While some affected individuals have only a few mild clinical signs, others may exhibit more severe signs. The first noticeable signs might be discharge from the eyes and nose, mild cough, and mild lethargy. Other common signs are: Depression, malaise Anorexia, dehydration Vomiting Diarrhea Seizures Lack of coordination Involuntary muscle tremors or tics Paralysis or weakness Blindness Hardening of the footpads Discoloration and pitting of the teeth of growing dogs Diagnosis Diagnosis is often difficult, since there is no one reliable test for the disease. Diagnosis is usually suspected from the history and clinical signs. Your veterinarian may also recommend the following tests: A complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis X-rays of the chest and abdomen Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing if neurologic signs are present Examination of buffy coat smears (the layer of white blood cells formed when blood is spun down) and/or conjunctival scrapings from under the eyelid for distemper viral particles) Measurement of distemper antibody titers in blood or the cerebrospinal fluid Treatment There is no treatment available that kills the virus once it infects the dog. The disease is often progressive despite therapy. Therapy is supportive and aims to strengthen and nourish the body, allowing the dog time to fight off the infection themselves. Dogs with distemper may need to be hospitalized and must be kept in isolation, so as not to infect other dogs. Therapy usually includes: Intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy, and in some cases, parenteral (intravenous) nutrition for patients who are severely ill. Antibiotic therapy for secondary bacterial infections Symptomatic therapy for respiratory, gastrointestinal, and/or neurologic signs Home Care and Prevention At home,
administer all medications, and return for follow-up examinations as
directed by your veterinarian. |
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