Canine Distemper
Most of people have herd about canine distemper disease, but not all know exactly what it is. It is a viral disease caused by canine distemper virus (CDV). It is highly contagious and deadly disease. It effects GIT, respiratory and central nervous system in dogs.
Puppies between the age of three and six months are more likely to be infected with CDV than adult dogs. Puppies are more likely to die earlier than adults after infection.
The primary method of transmission of CDV is inhalation of airborne viral particals by dog. It can also be transmitted through urine and feces of infected dog. The infected dog continues to shed virus for many weeks, although in recovery phase. The CDV virus is sensitive to many disinfectants, so routine cleaning of dog quadrants cand reduce the chances of infection.
-Humans can also be infected with CDV. But if they are vaccinated against measles then they are also protected against distemper.
Early symptoms of disease includes fever followed by runny nose, lose of appetite(anorexia) and mild eye discharge. Depending upon the dogs health and strain of virus the dog can also experience:
-Diarrhoea
-continued fever
-pneumonia with laboured breathing and coughing
-depletion of WBC's
-Hardening of the pads of feet
-unusual tooth enamel
Dogs usually develop inflammation of brain and spinal cord. Dogs can die with distemper usually felled by neurological signs these includes:
-Ataxia, an inability to coordinate the muscles
-Hyperesthesia, a heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, like touch and pain
-Myoclonus, disabling muscle spasms
-Paralysis, partial or complete
-Seizures affecting any part of the body. One memorable type of head seizure that is unique to distemper is sometimes called “the chewing gum fit” because the dog appears to be chewing gum.
Treatment of distemper
There is no specific treatment for canine distemper. The best treatment is supportive therapy for different signs and we should prevent secondary infections while the WBC's are suppressed. This includes some following approachs:
Puppies between the age of three and six months are more likely to be infected with CDV than adult dogs. Puppies are more likely to die earlier than adults after infection.
The primary method of transmission of CDV is inhalation of airborne viral particals by dog. It can also be transmitted through urine and feces of infected dog. The infected dog continues to shed virus for many weeks, although in recovery phase. The CDV virus is sensitive to many disinfectants, so routine cleaning of dog quadrants cand reduce the chances of infection.
-Humans can also be infected with CDV. But if they are vaccinated against measles then they are also protected against distemper.
Early symptoms of disease includes fever followed by runny nose, lose of appetite(anorexia) and mild eye discharge. Depending upon the dogs health and strain of virus the dog can also experience:
-Diarrhoea
-continued fever
-pneumonia with laboured breathing and coughing
-depletion of WBC's
-Hardening of the pads of feet
-unusual tooth enamel
Dogs usually develop inflammation of brain and spinal cord. Dogs can die with distemper usually felled by neurological signs these includes:
-Ataxia, an inability to coordinate the muscles
-Hyperesthesia, a heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, like touch and pain
-Myoclonus, disabling muscle spasms
-Paralysis, partial or complete
-Seizures affecting any part of the body. One memorable type of head seizure that is unique to distemper is sometimes called “the chewing gum fit” because the dog appears to be chewing gum.
Treatment of distemper
There is no specific treatment for canine distemper. The best treatment is supportive therapy for different signs and we should prevent secondary infections while the WBC's are suppressed. This includes some following approachs:
-Antibiotics to help prevent pneumonia
-IV fluids to replace fluids lost due to diarrhea and vomiting
-Anti-seizure medication
-Steroids (used only with severe seizures that cannot be controlled with regular medication)
Preventing infection
Preventing distemper infection is as easy as taking your dog to the veterinarian for vaccination. The “distemper vaccination” is generally combined with vaccines for canine parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus 2, leptospirosis, and sometimes coronavirus. Puppies receive a series of shots, beginning when they are six to eight weeks old, and then every four weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
The next vaccine should be administered one year later, with boosters every one to three years after that.
Types of vaccinations
Distemper vaccines are available in both modified live virus vaccine and the recombinant vaccine. The recombinant vaccine is generally preferred since it is impossible for distemper or distemper encephalitis to occur as the result of vaccination. While these complications are rare, they are possible when using the modified live virus vaccine.
-IV fluids to replace fluids lost due to diarrhea and vomiting
-Anti-seizure medication
-Steroids (used only with severe seizures that cannot be controlled with regular medication)
Preventing infection
Preventing distemper infection is as easy as taking your dog to the veterinarian for vaccination. The “distemper vaccination” is generally combined with vaccines for canine parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus 2, leptospirosis, and sometimes coronavirus. Puppies receive a series of shots, beginning when they are six to eight weeks old, and then every four weeks until they are 16 weeks old.
The next vaccine should be administered one year later, with boosters every one to three years after that.
Types of vaccinations
Distemper vaccines are available in both modified live virus vaccine and the recombinant vaccine. The recombinant vaccine is generally preferred since it is impossible for distemper or distemper encephalitis to occur as the result of vaccination. While these complications are rare, they are possible when using the modified live virus vaccine.
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