Distemper is a dangerous disease of dogs’ as there is no cure. It is a widely spreading disease within a short period of time and a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. Canine distemper belongs to the Morbillivirus class of viruses, and is a relative of the measles virus, which affects humans.
Susceptible age
Small puppies and older dogs are more susceptible if not vaccinated properly. Puppies younger than seven weeks, born to mothers who haven’t been vaccinated against the virus, are extremely susceptible. Once infected, puppies are severely weakened.
Other animals affected
The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink and ferrets and has been reported in lions, tigers, leopards and other wild cats as well as seals.
Spreading
The virus spread through sneezing or coughing from an infected dog or wild animal. Also it can be spread through direct contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva. The transmitting indirectly by shared food and water bowls and equipment is also very common. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months, and mother dogs can pass the virus through the placenta to their puppies. Because canine distemper also impacts wildlife populations, contact between wild animals and domestic dogs can facilitate the spread of the virus.
Symptoms of canine distemper
The virus attacks a dog’s tonsils and lymph nodes and replicates itself there for about one week. It then attacks the respiratory, uro-genital, gastrointestinal systems, and finally the nervous system. Initially, infected dogs will develop watery to pus-like discharge from their nose and eyes. They then develop fever (≥103.5 ° F, or 39.7° C), coughing, lethargy and reduced appetite. A weakened immune system leaves an infected dog open to secondary infections like pneumonia. When the virus attaches the gastro intestinal system they get diarrhea and vomiting.
As later stages the virus attacks the nervous system, infected dogs develop circling behavior, head tilt, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw chewing movements and salivation (“chewing gum fits”), seizures, and partial or complete paralysis. The virus may also cause the footpads to thicken and harden, leading to its nickname “hard pad disease.”
Distemper is often fatal; the dog dies after 2-5 weeks of infection. The dogs that survive usually have permanent, irreparable nervous system damage.
Diagnosis and treatment
Veterinarians diagnose canine distemper through clinical appearance and laboratory testing. In Sri Lanka most of the vet clinics have diagnosis facilities. There is no cure for canine distemper infection as it is a virus disease. Treatment typically consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections; control vomiting, diarrhea and neurologic symptoms; and combat dehydration through administration of fluids.
Prevention
Dogs infected with canine distemper should be separated from other dogs to minimize the risk of further infection. Avoid contact with infected animals and wildlife. Use caution when socializing puppies or unvaccinated dogs at parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy day care, dog boarding and other places where dogs can congregate. Routine cleaning and disinfecting your home (or kennel) will ensure that the virus is not in your dog’s living environment.
Vaccination for Distemper
Vaccination is crucial in preventing canine distemper. Vaccinated dogs very rarely get the disease. In Sri Lanka puppies should be vaccinated at the age of eight weeks and the booster vaccine at the age of three months. Thereafter annual vaccination can be given from any government or private veterinary clinics. Avoid gaps in the immunization schedule and make sure distemper vaccinations are up to date. Distemper vaccine is a triple vaccine which is called as “DHL”. In this vaccine the immunity is given for two other diseases namely Canine Hepatitis and Canine Leptospirosis.
When to See the Vet?
Immediately! Please see your vet right away if you suspect your dog has been infected with the canine distemper virus. The virus spreads rapidly and must be aggressively treated as soon as it’s discovered.
Managing Distemper affected pet dog
You should understand that most of the Distemper affected dogs die and neverwill transmit the disease to human. Treatment for Canine Distemper is given only to support the dog to survive. Therefore it is recommended to keep the dog in isolation under strict veterinary supervision; preferably hospitalized in a vet hospital for 24 hours service. If you keep the pet at home place it in a comfortable warm place. Clean the eyes with saline water. If it can eat give warm diets. If vomiting and diarrhea start do not feed and go for intravenous fluids. The animal may pass stools unconscious. Blood also will pass with stools at the later stages. The bed should be clean if contaminate with diarrheic stools. When the animals show nervous signs it is paralyzed. Support for movements of the animal with utmost patience is highly needed.
(The writer is a Veterinary Surgeon and holds B.V.Sc; M.Sc Poultry Science; Master of Public Administration and Management)
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