Do you know what canine distemper is? What is it about? Well, it is a disease that appears to be very common in our beloved pets, and it turns out to be more widespread than previously thought, it is also lethal for our beloved companions, so in this article we are going to teach you everything you need to know about it and how Cure Distemper in Dogs.
Distemper in Dogs
Distemper in dogs, which is called Distemper, is an ailment that is one of the most contagious and that attacks dogs, especially when they are still puppies, but which also affects other animals like ferrets and foxes. But, perhaps due to genetic disposition, it does not affect cats, since it has been shown that this particular class of virus does not affect them.
But they are not safe, because they suffer from another type of ailment, which is feline distemper, which is a different type of virus than dog distemper. The degree of risk of this ailment is very great, since, if the necessary measures are not adopted, it can kill our pet, so we have to be very alert about this disease, which produces effects similar to measles in humans.
Canine distemper virus, also called canine Distemper disease or Carré disease, is a virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and causes an infectious-contagious viral-type pathology. It infects various tissues of the animal. It is a virus that is particularly contagious and survives in the environment for weeks, especially in cold climates, between 0 ºC and 4 ºC.
Distemper in dogs or Carré's ailment is a virus that essentially afflicts dogs and is very similar, as we have already said, to measles. It is considered the first cause of death of dogs due to an infectious disease. It is an exponentially contagious disease that damages the respiratory system, the digestive system and the nervous system of our pets.
The prevention against this canine disease is to give our dog the vaccine. It acts in the following way: dogs that are suffering from this disease release the virus through their body secretions and other dogs are infected by inhaling these secretions.
Because their immune system is not yet fully developed in puppies, they are the most susceptible to contracting this disease. Due to this, it is essential that we strictly comply with our dog's vaccination plan so that they can deal with distemper disease in dogs, both in the mother and in the puppies.
This disease attacks more cruelly in puppies that are malnourished or in poor condition, because they have a depressed immune system, having fewer ways to defend themselves biologically. Other dogs in better condition may exhibit mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
How is Canine Distemper spread?
The spread of distemper in dogs is easier than you think. The distemper virus is spread through bodily secretions, such as mucus and tears, that are released by dogs into the environment. Those small droplets, which seem to cause no harm, which are expelled when the dog sneezes or coughs, are infected with the virus and are the ones that cause contagion to appear.
When it comes to dogs that live together, it is almost impossible to prevent infections from occurring. In the event that an individual owns a single dog, but takes it out for a walk and in the course of the walk interacts with other dogs, they must remain alert and take extreme care, because that is the perfect channel for the occurrence of the infections.
Can a person infect a dog with distemper?
The answer is yes, although it may seem incredible. If human beings maintain contact with dogs that are infected by distemper, this Carré disease virus has the ability to stay on the person's clothing, becoming a carrier of the virus and being able to infect other animals. Although it seems that it is difficult for this to happen, it is better to be safe than sorry, so you must maintain some normal hygienic measures. Washing your hands consistently is a good start.
What are the symptoms of Distemper in Dogs?
The first symptom that usually appears is fever, but it is not the only one. We have already explained to you before that distemper in dogs afflicts different sections of the dog's body. But the presence of symptoms will depend on the part affected by the disease, so we will explain it to you with each affected region.
Respiratory system
It is the most characteristic symptom of the distemper virus or canine distemper. The dog will start to have mucus, cough and produce eye discharge, similar to that of conjunctivitis, which is usually accompanied by swelling of the eyelids. This causes, in some cases, that the dog cannot even open his eyes or that the light causes them discomfort.
Another symptom is that they have difficulty breathing, because the secretions produced by this disease cause an obstruction. If the virus reaches the lungs, it can give rise to pneumonitis.
Digestive System
When the digestive system is affected, the distemper virus or canine distemper will cause symptoms such as gastroenteritis, vomiting or diarrhea, or both. If it turns out that this is the only symptom that our pet exhibits, we do not have to immediately link it to canine distemper, since it may be a different disease. Therefore, it is recommended that you go to the veterinarian, to obtain the corresponding diagnosis.
skin system
It results in what is already known as dermatitis. In this case, the skin on the nose and paw pads become hard, dry and cracked, causing the skin to peel.
Nervous system
If proper care is not followed at the right time, distemper in dogs, in the later stages, will affect the nervous system. In this case, the usual symptoms will be sudden attacks, a nervous tic, convulsions and muscle spasms so severe that they can lead to the paralysis of a limb.
How to Cure Distemper in Dogs?
As it is a disease that arises due to a virus, there is no specific treatment for distemper in dogs. So if you suspect that your dog has this kind of ailment, you should take it to the vet immediately, because the sooner this ailment is detected, the greater the options for our pet to be cured.
What we can tell you is that the treatments that are imposed are intended to alleviate the symptoms, and prevent our dog from suffering. It is your immune system that must fight the disease, but we can help you. We repeat, there is no medicine that truly cures distemper, but there are medicines that help.
What is usually used are medicines that help our pets to cough up or some antibiotic that has the power to try to remove the dog's phlegm and control any associated infection that may appear. There are also drugs that relieve diarrhea, vomiting and cough, but also prevent dehydration, and other medications can be used to prevent seizures and pain.
Food supplements are essential to fortify our dog's health and help him strengthen his immune system. One of them is vitamin B, which is the most recommended for nervous tics caused by canine distemper.
There is something that you have to avoid at all costs, and it is something that is very easy to appear, and it is the dehydration of our dog. If the animal feels sick, it is normal that he will not want to eat or drink anything, but we have to force him if he refuses to eat or drink. Another important aspect is hygiene, particularly in the area of the eyes and nose, having to remove the secretions produced by the virus with great tact.
How can I prevent distemper in dogs?
There is a vaccine that must be given to all puppies, which is part of the first vaccination they receive, and it is recommended to give boosters with other doses annually, so that we can be sure that our dog will be protected against this virus as harmful. When a dog is not vaccinated, there is a high probability that it will get distemper just by taking it for a walk in the park or allowing it to play with other dogs.
But not only do you have to vaccinate the puppies, it is also recommended that the mother be vaccinated before mating. What is recommended is that they all be vaccinated and revaccinated with the tetravalent: Distemper (distemper in English), Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. Thus, you will be sure that the mother will create the antibodies that the puppy will need during lactation.
The canine distemper vaccine
We will always advise you to proceed to vaccinate your pet, because with this you can avoid many sufferings and ailments that can cost your life. The first dose of vaccination against canine distemper must be given at five or six weeks of life and, of course, before the puppy arrives at our home or lives with other dogs. It is normally included in the trivalent vaccine: distemper, measles and parainfluenza.
Now, since distemper is a disease that resembles measles, it is recommended that we vaccinate our dog against that disease as well.
Some puppies may not react correctly to the distemper vaccine because the mother's antibodies neutralize it. However, the measles vaccine is capable of knocking down these antibodies and providing partial protection against distemper. But when the mother's antibodies wear off, the distemper vaccine will give the pet full protection. It is recommended, we insist, to place the distemper booster vaccine annually.
Can the dog be cured of distemper?
Unfortunately, we have to inform you that distemper in dogs is not a curable disease, but it is very treatable when it comes to relieving symptoms and trying to control them. Fortunately, if the dog's immune system has controlled the disease, then it will not transmit its contagion to other dogs, because at that time they will no longer be hosts of the virus.
We also remind you that the veterinarian is the expert person to whom you should go to receive the appropriate advice in each case, and if you suspect that your pet is infected, do not delay in taking it to this professional, who will indicate the treatment that is due. follow and how to help your dog.
Appearance of distemper in vaccinated dogs
If strict compliance with the vaccination schedule is followed, our dog will have an immunization between 2 and 3 years. However, if that schedule is not followed, the dog may lose immunity. It is also lost by those dogs that for whatever reason have a compromised immune system, or that have other health ailments and even stress or anxiety.
How long does distemper last?
It has not been possible to establish a recovery time for those dogs that suffer from the distemper virus. Everything will depend on when the veterinary treatment is started, on the strain of the virus in question and on the state of the dog's immune system.
Home Remedies for Distemper in Dogs
As we have already said, there is no medicine or treatment that directly attacks distemper in dogs, but we can help our pet deal with the symptoms and make the recovery procedure more bearable, so we are going to talk about some remedies Home remedies that you can use to relieve symptoms, so among them we have:
How to lower the fever of a Dog with Distemper?
When an animal has a fever, it is more likely that it will suffer from dehydration if we are not careful, so it is essential that we encourage our dog to drink water. But if he refuses water, we must consult with the veterinarian so that he can advise us if we can supply it with a hypodermic or other utensil that allows us to force him to drink it. In the event that our dog requires veterinary hospitalization, it will be applied through fluid therapy.
But if your dog drinks water and has a fever, try putting cold compresses on it. Moisten a cloth with cold water, wring it out well, and gently rub the animal's belly. You can also try wrapping it in a well-wrung cold towel, however, the latter is only recommended in summer, to avoid an excessive drop in the dog's body temperature. If the fever persists, call the vet.
The Dog with Distemper does not want to eat
Loss of appetite is a classic symptom of distemper in dogs. However, it is essential that we make our dog eat, because its recovery will depend on it. What we recommend is that you buy or prepare wet food and offer it in small quantities, as this will make digestion easier.
You can heat the food you buy or prepare by adding warm water or broth, as long as the latter has been prepared without onion and salt. Do not limit yourself to a single kind of food, try to vary it to get him to eat.
The Dog has Distemper and Cough
Continuous coughing is usually a serious symptom and it is important to treat it effectively. Start by cleaning your house or the place where the dog is, eliminating dust, society and any organic matter. Also, avoid smoking in front of him. If you have a humidifier, try to increase the humidity in the air, but if you don't have one, you can take the dog to the bathroom while you shower.
If the dog is still able to walk and pulls anxiously, we must replace the collar with a harness, to prevent irritation of the trachea and larynx. You have to try to keep him calm to avoid anxiety or stress, which sometimes cause coughing. Finally, you have to take him to the vet to prescribe antitussives.
The dog with distemper vomits
On many occasions, dog distemper causes animals a gastrointestinal infection, which causes damage to their stomach. After the dog has vomited, what we recommend is that you restrict food intake for a few hours, but give him water to drink.
After a reasonable period of time, you can start offering small portions of food every four hours. Ideally, it should be wet food or a soft diet for dogs, mixing two parts of cooked rice with one part of cooked skinless chicken. Salt should never be added, but we can include olive oil.
Vomiting brings with it dehydration if the dog has also stopped drinking water. In this case, the dog should not be forced to drink, but after a few hours we can slightly wet its snout with water to stimulate it.
The dog with distemper has diarrhea
This is another consequence of gastrointestinal infections derived from distemper. Diarrhea may or may not be bloody. As we advise you in the previous case, you should restrict your intake for a few hours. Avoid stress and anxiety and, after the period has elapsed, offer him small portions of food through a soft diet or wet food, every four hours and we will stimulate him to drink water by wetting his snout.
The dog has distemper and trembles
Tremors are very common in dogs suffering from canine distemper. They affect their limbs, usually the rear ones, but also the skull area, and chewing movements can be seen, even when the dog is asleep. In extreme cases, it will be noted that the dog cannot walk. He should never be forced to move, just let him rest in a place that is cool and comfortable.
The dog has distemper and seizures
If what is affected by distemper is the neurological system, the dog will have convulsions, and in this case only the veterinarian will be able to prescribe an appropriate medication and all his advice must be followed, allowing the dog to rest and be very calm while it recovers. .
The dog with distemper cries a lot
The symptoms of distemper in dogs cause the animal a lot of discomfort, so it is likely that they will appear sad and depressed, crying and moaning. What we must do is be particularly patient and give them a lot of love and attention on an ongoing basis, so that they feel accompanied and loved. Avoid scolding or yelling at him at all times, providing him with a comfortable rest, adequate food, which is as digestible and tasty as possible, and staying by his side as much as possible.
The dog has distemper and is having trouble breathing
You have to start by cleaning his nasal secretions, which will be green and purulent, using a damp gauze in warm water. Hot food also helps unclog your stuffy nose, so you can try to include a cup of broth daily in your diet, without onion or salt. But check that it is not too hot so that the dog does not burn. You can also improve the humidity of the environment if you have a humidifier or you can move it to the bathroom every time someone takes a shower.
Another remedy that you can resort to is the sterile saline solution that is sold in pharmacies, which will help unclog your nose and reduce irritation. It will be enough for you to apply one or two drops to each hole.
The eyes of the dog with distemper present secretions
The secretions will be reduced, to the extent that we administer antibiotics to our pet, as long as they have been indicated by the veterinarian, but even in that case, it is necessary that you clean the eyes with a sterile gauze moistened in warm water previously boiled. or with chamomile, which does not contain remains of the plant. Likewise, it is advised that you use an otic solution, which is sold in pharmacies.
If this reading has been useful to you, you may also be interested in reading: