Canine Distemper: Symptoms & Overview

Section 1: What is Canine Distemper?

Canine distemper is a highly fatal infectious disease caused by a virus, with particularly low survival rates among puppies. The disease typically presents with two phases of intermittent fever, symptoms similar to the common cold, followed by acute bronchitis, purulent pneumonia, and enteritis. In the later stages, neurological symptoms such as spasms and seizures may occur; some cases may also exhibit hyperkeratosis of the nose and dewclaws. The disease is highly contagious, with mortality rates exceeding 80%. It occurs yearround, but is most prevalent during the spring and winter months. The disease follows a pattern, with major outbreaks occurring every three years. Dogs of all ages, genders, and breeds can be affected, but the source of infection is most often young dogs under 18 years old. Mixedbreed dogs and military dogs are more susceptible to the disease and have a higher mortality rate than purebred dogs.

Section 2: Symptoms of Canine Distemper

The incubation period for the virus ranges from 3 to 8 days, and symptoms can vary widely depending on the virulence, breed, age, and other factors. The first sign of canine distemper is a sustained fever for 1 to 3 days, which may resemble recovery from a cold. However, after a few days, the fever returns without a clear pattern. Dogs may also experience excessive tearing, red, swollen eyes, and a change in the consistency of their discharge from mucoid to purulent. The nostrils may become dry and bloody, starting with mucoid discharge and progressing to purulent. The disease begins with a dry cough, which later turns into a wet cough, leading to difficulty breathing. Dogs may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intussusception, and ultimately severe dehydration and death. Approximately 10 days after the onset of these symptoms, neurological signs may appear, such as sitting with a hunched posture, nasal and angular hyperkeratosis, and other mental symptoms.

Due to the varying damage to the nervous system's soft spots, symptoms can also differ. Viral infections can damage a dog's brain, leading to symptoms such as epilepsy, abnormal posture, ataxia, unsteady gait, and spasms in the masseter and limbs. Canine distemper caused by viral infections can improve to varying degrees during the course of the disease.

Dogs infected with canine distemper may also suffer eye damage, commonly presenting as retinitis and conjunctivitis, which often appear about half a month after the onset of the disease. In severe cases, retinal ulcers, holes, and blindness may occur.

This disease has a high mortality rate among puppies, reaching 80 to 90%, and can lead to secondary infections, colitis, and intussusception. In clinical cases, dogs with typical symptoms of canine distemper have a poor prognosis, especially those that have not undergone surgery. Although medical treatment has been developed, the progression of the disease is difficult to predict, and most dogs with neurological symptoms will die. Some dogs that recover may leave behind varying degrees of sequelae.

Section 3: Prevention and Control of Canine Distemper

1. The best way to prevent canine distemper is to ensure timely vaccination.

2. If a dog is diagnosed with canine distemper, it is crucial to isolate and protect the affected dog immediately. The dog and its environment should be thoroughly disinfected with lye or calcium hydroxide to prevent the spread of the virus. It is strictly forbidden for infected dogs to come into contact with other dogs. For dogs that have not been infected but are at high risk of infection, passive immunization should be administered immediately by injecting prophylactic agents. Once the environment is free of the virus threat and the dogs' conditions are stable, they can be vaccinated against canine distemper.

By now, you must understand how terrifying canine distemper can be. If you want to learn more about canine distemper, click "Dog with Canine Distemper" for more information. You can also consult an online veterinarian if you have any questions.