Canine distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a Morbillivirus, closely related to the human measles virus. The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and, often, the nervous systems of puppies and dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and ferrets. Canine distemper virus is most often transmitted through contact with an infected animal's breath, sneezes, saliva and eye secretions. Contact with the urine and fecal material of infected dogs can also result in infection.
Symptoms of the Mucosal Stage
The many signs of distemper are not always typical and all the symptoms do not have to be present for the dog to have the disease. For this reason, treatment may be delayed or neglected. The first phase of canine distemper is known as the mucosal stage with symptoms something like a severe cold. Most infected dogs have a fever and "stuffed up" head. Exposed animals may develop bronchitis, pneumonia and severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The first signs of distemper an owner might notice are diarrhea, congestion of the eyes, and a discharge of pus from the eyes. Weight loss, coughing, vomiting, and nasal discharge are common. One of the old names for distemper – “hard pad disease”- is evidenced by callusing of the nose and footpads
Symptoms of the Neurological Phase
In the second or neurological phase, canine distemper attacks the dog's central nervous system. The neurological phase occurs one to three weeks after the mucosal phase ends, bringing about partial or complete paralysis as well as seizures. The seizures classically start with snapping or tremors of the jaws which progress to convulsions of the whole body. This distemper classic sign is called a “chewing gum fit.” Tremors, imbalance, and limb weakness may also be seen. The illness may progress to death or symptoms may not progress or may become permanent. Recovery is also a possibility.Dogs suffering from the disease are usually inactive and have poor appetites.
Prevention
While there is no cure for canine distemper virus, identifying the illness early on can give your dog the best chance for survival. The best treatment is vaccination of your pet against the virus, before your pet becomes sick. The canine distemper vaccine is the basic immunization for dogs. Usually, it is combined with vaccine for canine parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus 2, leptospirosis, and sometimes kennel cough. The vaccine is given beginning at age 6-8 weeks and then every 2-4 weeks until age 16 weeks. The next vaccine is one year later. Boosters are given every 1-3 years or based on antibody levels depending on the policy of the supervising animal hospital, veterinarian and local laws.
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