Early Canine Distemper Symptoms: Key Indicators

Dog Distemper Symptoms

1. Dog distemper is an infectious disease caused by the canine distemper virus, with a mortality rate exceeding 80%. It is highly contagious. In the early stages of distemper, dogs may experience a fever, with temperatures reaching up to 39.5 to 41 degrees Celsius, loss of appetite, depression, sneezing, diarrhea, and coughing. If a dog exhibits mucopurulent nasal discharge and puslike eye matter, it indicates that the dog has reached the middle stage of the disease. Concurrently, gastrointestinal issues may arise, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and a lack of appetite. In the later stages of distemper, dogs may exhibit typical neurological symptoms such as drowsiness, frothing at the mouth, and seizures. At this point, it is challenging for dogs to recover fully, and even if they do, they may suffer from longterm complications.

2. During the initial stages, dogs may appear tired, with a decreased appetite and continuous discharge from their eyes and nose. Their body temperature can rise to over 40 degrees Celsius, and they may experience a fever for one to three days before it gradually subsides. However, they may experience another bout of high fever a few days later. In the later stages, dogs may suffer from seizures, frothing at the mouth, and in severe cases, may even faint or go into shock. Ultimately, dogs may die from heart failure.

How to Treat Dog Distemper

1. Although dog distemper has a high mortality rate, there are preventive measures. It is essential to vaccinate dogs with the distemper vaccine within two months of their birth.

5. Train your dog to avoid trouble and not to interact with stray dogs. Prevent your dog from eating random items outside, as these measures can significantly reduce the chances of contracting distemper.

3. If a dog is diagnosed with distemper, it is crucial to take them to a veterinarian immediately for the administration of specific hyperimmune serum. This serum can effectively eliminate the virus within the dog, and the frequency of injections should be determined based on the severity of the condition. The treatment process can also involve antibiotics to control secondary infections, as well as nutritional support for the dog. It is essential to follow the veterinarian's guidance when administering medication and injections.

Humans have a closer and more frequent interaction with dogs compared to other animals. Therefore, it is vital to treat dogs promptly when they fall ill to avoid any impact on their owners and families.

Tip: Click How to Treat Dog Distemper for more information on the treatment methods for dog distemper.