Canine Distemper Symptoms: Key Clinical Signs Explained

Clinical Symptoms of Canine Distemper:

The incubation period for canine distemper can vary significantly depending on the source of the infection, ranging from a few days to several weeks. Typically, it lasts between 3 to 6 days. The symptoms are diverse and can include fatigue, decreased appetite, fever, upper respiratory infections, and watery discharge from the eyes and nose. These symptoms are most commonly observed in unvaccinated puppies, aged between 2.3 months and older, and may be related to the waning of maternal antibodies. In the early stages of natural infection, these symptoms are often overlooked, starting with conjunctivitis, dry cough, which then progresses to a wet cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, tenesmus, intussusception, and ultimately leading to death due to severe dehydration and weakness. The clinical symptoms can vary depending on the areas of the central nervous system affected by the canine distemper virus.

Puppies with damaged brain nerves may exhibit mild symptoms such as localized twitching of the lips and face, while severe cases may show excessive drooling, circling, frothing at the mouth, collapsing, and convulsive seizures resembling epilepsy. Abnormal gait, damage to the midbrain, cerebellum, vestibular system, and medulla oblongata, and spinal cord injuries can lead to ataxia and abnormal reflexes. Lesions in the meninges may present with hyperesthesia and stiffness of the neck. A common symptom of canine distemper is the repetitive, spasmodic twitching of the chewing muscles. The canine distemper virus can also affect the optic nerve and retina, leading to eye damage. The characteristic of canine distemper keratitis is sudden blindness, dilated pupils, and the absence of pupillary reflex.

Tip from Your Pet Doctor: For more information on canine distemper, click on "How Long Does Canine Distemper Treatment Take?" to learn more.