Symptoms of Canine Distemper: Key Indicators Explained

Section 1: What is Canine Distemper?

Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease that we're all familiar with. But do you know how dogs become infected? Contrary to popular belief, improper feeding, exposure to cold drafts, or environmental changes are not direct causes. Pet owners must understand that the primary reason dogs contract distemper is due to their exposure to the virus, which they cannot fight off due to weakened immunity. Infection typically occurs through the air, contaminated food, or contact with the feces or saliva of infected dogs.

Section 2: Symptoms of Canine Distemper

Canine distemper progresses through two stages: the incubation period and the onset period. The incubation period lasts for about 35 days, during which the dog carries the virus but shows no obvious symptoms, making it difficult to detect visually. Symptoms during the onset period generally include the following:

Respiratory Symptoms: Canine distemper virus often targets the respiratory system first, leading to respiratory diseases. These symptoms resemble common cold symptoms in dogs but are more severe, including coughing, purulent nasal discharge, and eye mucus, and can progress to pneumonia in severe cases. Senokot and Huanglian tablets are specifically designed to treat pet respiratory diseases, effectively relieving coughs, runny noses, sneezes, and pneumonia.

Digestive Symptoms: Infection of the digestive system usually results in diarrhea and vomiting. Dogs in this stage may become severely dehydrated due to frequent diarrhea and vomiting, so it's important to administer subcutaneous or intravenous fluids to correct dehydration. Prolonged dehydration can weaken the dog's ability to fight the virus. Medications like V克利 can suppress the virus within the body and alleviate diarrhea and vomiting.

Nervous System Symptoms: Symptoms include myoclonic spasms, epilepsy, empty chewing, encephalitis, paresis, paralysis, and myositis of the masticatory muscles. There are no specific preventive measures for nervous system symptoms, and treatment is mainly focused on symptom management with medications and supportive care, such as pet owners massaging their dogs or engaging them in rehabilitation training.

Section 3: How to Prevent Canine Distemper

Preventing the spread of viral diseases in pets is most effectively achieved through vaccination. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Puppies cannot be vaccinated immediately as they still have immunity from their mothers. They should be vaccinated at around 45 days old, provided they are healthy. Subsequent vaccinations should be spaced 21 days apart. There are two types of vaccines available: bivalent and tetravalent. More does not always mean better; too many vaccines can lead to side effects, lower success rates, and shorter protection periods. It's essential to tailor vaccinations to the dog's specific needs.

Canine distemper can manifest in various ways and with varying degrees of severity. Pet owners should treat their dogs based on their specific conditions and avoid盲目 treatment. In case of necessity, it's best to seek treatment from a reputable veterinary hospital, ensuring the best care for your furry friend.