Canine distemper is a serious disease that affects dogs. Unfortunately, canine distemper can lead to death even with appropriate treatment. Thankfully, effective vaccines that protect dogs against canine distemper exist. Let’s dive into what you should know about canine distemper and how you can keep your dog safe.
What Causes Canine Distemper in Dogs?
Canine distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). The virus attacks different parts of a dog’s body including the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and nervous system. It’s highly contagious, meaning it spreads easily from one dog to another, so it’s especially dangerous in places like dog parks and shelters where many dogs are together.
Canine distemper spreads easily from between dogs through direct contact and airborne droplets. When an infected dog coughs, sneezes, or even barks, tiny droplets containing the virus can land on nearby dogs. These droplets can also stay in the air for a short time, allowing the virus to spread even if the dogs aren’t touching. The virus can also be passed on shared objects like food or water bowls, toys, and bedding.
It’s important to know that canine distemper virus (CDV) can live outside the dog’s body for a while. That means a dog can get distemper from contact with surfaces an infected dog has touched, even if the infected dog is no longer in the area. Puppies are at higher risk, but even adult dogs can catch CDV if they haven’t been properly vaccinated.
Other Animals Can Catch Canine Distemper, Too
Though it’s called “canine distemper,” the disease doesn’t just affect dogs. In fact, about 50 animal species have been found to catch canine distemper virus (CDV). According to an article by the Department of Pathology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in Germany, CDV can spread to many animal species and cause serious health issues.
Here’s a list of some of the animals that were confirmed to have been affected by the virus in the article:
African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Gray wolf (Canis lupus)
Dingo (Canis lupus dingo)
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)
European badger (Meles meles)
European polecat (Mustela putorius)
Marten (Martes americana)
Otter (Lontra canadensis)
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Civet (Civettictis civetta)
Binturong (Arctictis binturong)
Masked palm civet (Paguma larvata)
Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica)
Genet (Genetta genetta)
Wildcat (Felis silvestris)
Domestic cat (Felis catus)
Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Can I Catch Canine Distemper From My Dog?
Fortunately, humans can’t get canine distemper. However, we can also spread CDV if the virus gets on our hands, clothes, or shoes from an infected animal.
What Are the Signs of Canine Distemper in Dogs?
Canine distemper affects several parts of a dog’s body. The symptoms can change as the disease progresses. These symptoms are often broken down into early and advanced signs.
Early Symptoms
In the beginning stages, canine distemper may seem like a cold. These early signs can include:
Fever
Coughing and sneezing
Discharge
Loss of appetite
Advanced Symptoms
As the virus spreads and affects other parts of the body, symptoms become more severe.
Advance signs can include:
Vomiting and diarrhea
Neurological symptoms such as seizures, twitching, or ataxia (drunk walking)
Thickening of the paw pads and/or nose
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s important to take them to the vet ASAP for proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you suspect canine distemper, don’t let your dog out of the car when you arrive at the vet. Call them when you get there and they will instruct you on what to do next. Some vet clinics have specialized rooms for potentially contagious pets, while others have different procedures they need to follow. These rules are in place to minimize the risk of getting other dogs sick.
How is Canine Distemper Diagnosed?
Diagnosing canine distemper virus (CDV) can be tricky because its symptoms are similar to other diseases. Early diagnosis is key to improving a dog’s chances of recovery. However, since the signs can overlap with other illnesses, your vet may need to do a series of tests to confirm CDV. If your dog is suspected of having CDV, here’s what to expect during their visit.
Veterinary Examination
The first step is a thorough physical exam. Your vet will look for common signs of canine distemper and evaluate your pet’s health and condition.
Blood and Laboratory Tests
Your vet may use blood tests to check for signs of infection or to rule out other conditions. A special test for canine distemper virus (CDV) can confirm the diagnosis. This test may involve: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which detects the virus’s genetic material in blood or urine samples.
A serology test that looks for antibodies against the virus in your dog’s blood. The presence of the antibodies indicates a past or current infection.
However, according to one article, recent vaccination for distemper could result in a false positive. So, many vets will use multiple diagnostic tools to be sure.
Additional Diagnostic Tools
In some cases, your vet may recommend other tests such as: X-rays to check for lung damage caused by CDV or to rule out other respiratory diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, which checks the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal fluid. This can provide useful information about your pet’s condition.
Can a Dog Recover From Canine Distemper?
Yes, dogs can recover from canine distemper. But there is no cure for canine distemper, so treatment focuses on supportive care to help your dog recover and manage symptoms. Early intervention and veterinary care are crucial in the fight against canine distemper virus (CDV).
Supportive care measures include:
Hydration: Keeping your dog hydrated is important, especially if they are vomiting or having diarrhea. Fluids, given under the skin (subcutaneous) or by IV (intravenous) injection, can help support the body’s natural healing process and prevent dehydration.
Nutrition: Ensuring your dog gets proper nutrition is important. Since CDV can cause reduced appetite, your dog may need a nasogastric feeding tube. This tube passes through the nose and into the stomach and allows for a specialized liquid diet to be fed directly into your dog’s stomach.
Medication: Your vet may prescribe several medications to help relieve your dog’s symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce fever and body aches. Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications can help reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Antibiotics may be used to help prevent or treat any secondary bacterial infections that can occur due to a weakened immune system.
Monitoring and Hospitalization
In severe cases, dogs may require hospitalization for intensive care and close monitoring. Staying in the hospital allows for medications and fluids to be administered by IV, which can speed healing. Your dog may also need oxygen therapy if their breathing becomes problematic due to lung damage.
Recovery Time
Recovery time from canine distemper can take several weeks, depending on the severity of symptoms and the dog’s overall health. Unfortunately, some dogs may never recover, even with appropriate treatment. Many dogs that recover experience lasting effects, such as tremors, if the virus causes significant damage to their nervous system or organs.
How Can I Keep My Dog Safe From Canine Distemper?
The best way to keep your dog safe from canine distemper is to make sure they’re properly vaccinated. The DHLPP vaccine protects dogs from canine distemper virus (CDV) along with many other deadly dog diseases. The vaccine is very effective.
Puppies should start their vaccinations at 6 to 8 weeks old. They will need a series of shots, usually every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re 16 to 20 weeks old. After that, adult dogs should get a booster shot every 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine used and your vet’s advice.
By keeping your dog up to date with their vaccinations, you can help ensure they stay protected from CDV and other serious diseases.
Prevention is the Best Cure for Canine Distemper
Now that you’ve learned all about canine distemper virus (CDV) and how it affects dogs and other animals, it’s clear the best way to protect your pet is to prevent the disease altogether. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to canine distemper, that couldn’t be more true.