Canine Distemper And What All Dog Guardians Must Know About It
Canine distemper, just the mention of the name sends dog owners into a panic. And with good reason too, because this disease is incurable, highly contagious, and quite ofter deadly. Caused by the canine distemper virus, a paramyxovirus quite similar to that which causes human measles, this disease attacks the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems.
The canine distemper virus (or CDV) can be transmitted through the air, or through bodily fluids such as urine. Dogs that show symptoms should be treated straight away, and once the veterinary diagnosis confirms CDV, quarantined immediately.
Dogs of any age can be infected by CDV, but those most at risk are puppies in the 3-6 month age range. It is therefore vital that your puppy receives a preventative vaccine. Usually this will be included in the set of core vaccines your dog receives annually.
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One of the reasons that canine distemper is so dangerous is that it is multi-systemic, meaning it attacks many of the body’s vital systems simultaneously. A dog that has been infected with the virus will display a number of symptoms, including, discharge from the nose and eyes, coughing, diarrhea, and/or vomiting, fever, seizures and convulsions. If the disease is left untreated it will go on to cause heart and respiratory system failure.
Many dogs will not display all of these symptoms. If the infection is mild, the dog may only cough, and it is not uncommon in these cases for the disease to be misdiagnosed as kennel cough.
In other instances, the dog may also contract pneumonia. And even dogs that recover from distemper will be left with severe tooth enamel damage, thickening of the footpads and nose, vision problems and damage to the central nervous system.
A veterinarian faced with a suspected case of CDV will run several tests to confirm the diagnosis. These include analysis of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood samples. In addition, a skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the presence of the canine distemper virus.
If the tests confirm that the virus is present, intravenous fluids will immediately be administered to offset dehydration. Anti-seizure medication may also be given if neurological signs are present.
Canine distemper is a lethal disease that spreads rapidly and can quickly decimate a kennel, particularly if not all dogs have been vaccinated. Not all dogs that contract the virus die, but a significant number do, and it is particularly brutal on puppies and older dogs.
Currently, the disease is considered to be incurable but fortunately great advances have been made in veterinary medicine. An effective CDV cure, with minimal side effects, may be available sooner rather than later.
Find out more about distemper in dogs, dog care, information on dogs and other helpful dog information at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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