Overview of Canine Distemper
Distemper in domestic dogs is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease that affects respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal, ocular and central nervous system tissue. Distemper is most commonly seen in young dogs, between 3 and 6 months of age, although unvaccinated dogs of all ages are at risk of contracting the virus. The disease causes a range of clinical signs that can include a fluctuating fever, nasal and ocular discharge, cough, depression, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, sound, and touch, muscle twitches, paralysis, confusion, and seizures. Respiratory signs normally are the first abnormalities noticed by owners of affected dogs.
Treating Canine Distemper
There are no specific antiviral drugs currently available to treat canine distemper. Therapy centers on managing the clinical signs of the disease and making the dog as comfortable as possible. The virus is particularly lethal in unvaccinated puppies; older dogs with stronger immune systems have a better prognosis, but even their chances of survival are low. The most important factor influencing a dog’s prognosis is whether (and if so, to what extent) the disease has affected its central nervous system.
Dogs with distemper need to be hospitalized and cared for on an inpatient basis. As this disease is highly contagious, they should be isolated from other animals as well. Broad spectrum antibiotics and expectorants or other cough medications can be used to treat secondary bacterial pneumonia that frequently accompanies this illness. The dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea can be managed with intravenous fluid support. Medications are available to soothe nausea. If seizures are occurring, anti-seizure medications may be administered, and appropriate pain management steps should be taken.
Dogs can shed the canine distemper virus for weeks to several months after they recover from acute disease. As a result, they should be kept away from other dogs during this time. Your veterinarian can provide a precise isolation period based upon the course of your dog’s illness. All surfaces and bedding that the dog has had contact with should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The canine distemper virus is sensitive to ultraviolet light, heat and drying. In colder climates, it tends to persist longer in the environment than it does in warm climates.
Timely vaccination of puppies is the best prevention for distemper in dogs.