Symptoms & Treatments for Canine Distemper in Dogs

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What Are the Symptoms of Canine Distemper in Dogs?

Canine distemper can arise from various sources, leading to different incubation periods before an outbreak, typically ranging from three to six days.

Early Symptoms: Dogs may exhibit a lack of appetite, depression, thickened paw pads, runny nose, coughing, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Intermediate Symptoms: The dog may become completely anorexic, with puslike discharge from the eyes and nose. This stage is also marked by a persistent rise in body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Advanced Symptoms: Dogs may develop typical neurological symptoms, such as frothing at the mouth, seizures, and convulsions. They may also suffer from widespread skin ulcers, persistent high fever, and confusion. At this stage, the disease is often fatal.

How to Treat Canine Distemper:

When you suspect your dog has canine distemper, it's crucial to rush them to a veterinary hospital immediately. Early and timely treatment can significantly improve the chances of survival.

In the early stages, your vet may administer antistreptolysin serum or the serum from a recovered dog intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The dosage should be tailored to the dog's condition and size, usually ranging from 5 to 10 milliliters, which can provide some relief. Additionally, feeding your dog highquality dog food and ensuring they receive necessary nutrients is essential.

For dogs in the later stages with neurological symptoms, medications like propofol, diazepam, and phenobarbital may be used to suppress the dog's neural impulses. However, these treatments can only offer temporary sedation and are largely palliative at this point. Unfortunately, the prognosis is usually poor, as the dog may have been deemed terminally ill.

We hope this comprehensive guide on the symptoms and treatments of canine distemper is helpful. For more information, you can read our article on How to Treat Canine Distemper in the Early Stages.

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