What to do with a destructive puppy

 
Distemper: what is it, symptoms, treatment and cure

 

Have you ever heard of distemper? It is a viral and highly contagious canine disease (see other dog diseases here) that can lead to death or leave serious sequelae in dogs that heal from it. However, we managed to prevent distemper and thus prevent our dogs from suffering and transmitting it to other animals. But before we talk about prevention, symptoms, treatment and cure, let's get a good understanding of what distemper is.

 

What is canine distemper?

Canine distemper is an infectious disease that affects dogs caused by a virus of the Paramyxovirus family, of the genus Morbilivirus. It is highly contagious and usually affects dogs that have not completed the vaccination schedule (puppies) or that do not usually receive the annual booster of the multiple vaccine (V8, V10 or V11).

 

Canine distemper in cats

The name “distemper” already tells us a lot about the disease, since the prefix “cyno” always refers to dogs. Thus, its infectious character is restricted only to dogs, that is, distemper does not affect cats.

 

Distemper symptoms

 

The virus replicates in the animal's blood cells and central nervous system. In the early stages of the disease, a very common symptom is diarrhea, as the digestive system is usually the first to be affected. At a slightly more advanced stage of the disease, the respiratory system is affected, normally yellowish and dense secretions coming out of the nose and eye region.

 

In the later stage of the disease, the central nervous system is affected, which is when the animal starts to walk disoriented and muscle tremors that can progress to seizures.

 

Distemper symptoms

Apathy

loss of appetite

Diarrhea

vomiting

Fever

Eye secretions (remeats in large amounts)

Nasal secretions (pus)

Convulsions

Paralysis

nervous tics

Lack of coordination

In the blood test, a decrease in the animal's immunity due to virus replication in the lymphatic system is observed. An infected dog eliminates the virus in urine, feces and secretions (nasal and ocular) up to 90 days after exposure to the virus. Therefore, it is important to avoid contact with other dogs during the period when you are sick.

 

How is the disease transmitted?

The dog can get distemper, that is, be contaminated by the virus, in several ways. Among them, through contact with secretions, urine and feces infected by sick animals. In addition, shelter, blankets and food from infected animals are also sources of infection. Puppies and the elderly are more susceptible to infectious diseases because they have a slightly less active immune system.

 

Remember that the contact does not necessarily need to be direct/close. The infection can happen, for example, when we walk our pet in places where sick animals that have eliminated the virus on the street, in parks or other public places have passed.

 

Veterinary offices also require attention. If your pet does not have the complete vaccination chart, do not allow him to have contact with other dogs, with the floor or cages that have not been sanitized.

 

What is the treatment for distemper?

There are no effective antiviral drugs to fight the disease. However, the treatment consists of treating the symptoms caused in the different systems affected:

Antibiotic and anti-pyretic for secondary infections in the digestive and respiratory systems, in addition to combining expectorants, bronchodilators and antiemetics.

Serum (fluid therapy) to correct dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Anticonvulsant for seizures due to involvement of the nervous system.

Nutritional supplements and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, to improve the animal's immune response to fight the virus are also used.

sequelae

The animal that had the disease evolved to the stage of involvement of the nervous system may have muscle tremors, disordered walking and/or convulsive crises throughout its life, even though it no longer carries the virus.

 

In this case, the sequelae animal will have to have the help of physiotherapy and acupuncture sessions to improve the condition, in addition to using an anticonvulsant in some cases.

 

How to prevent distemper?

All you have to do is carry out your puppy's annual vaccination. The distemper vaccine is included in the package offered by the V8, V10 and V11 vaccines. In the case of puppies, they must receive three to four doses of the vaccine from 45 days of age, with an interval of 21 to 30 days between applications. Only after the last dose will your immune system be able to fight the virus if there is contact with it, and the walks on the collar are allowed.