Canine distemper is a highly contagious, often fatal disease that is easily prevented through proper vaccination. Vaccinations against canine distemper are highly successful to the point that the disease is not commonly seen in pet populations. However, since dogs are not the only potential carriers of canine distemper–wild animals such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks can also be infected and transmit the virus–and since transmission is relatively easy, requiring only that your pet come in contact with droplets from an infected animal’s eye, nose or mouth, vaccinations continue to be an important part of keeping our dogs safe from distemper.
In the wild, symptoms of distemper can closely mimic those of rabies. Even in domesticated pets, distemper is not so easily diagnosed as its symptoms can be similar to those of other infections such as canine infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, canine infectious respiratory disease complex and rabies.
Once infected, symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, nasal or eye discharge, cough or fever may be observed. It is important to seek treatment as soon as you suspect distemper in your pet as the disease can progress to affect the neurological system. Once it does, it is nearly always fatal, and those few dogs who do recover live out the rest of their lives with devastating effects such as paralysis and impaired sight, smell or hearing.
Puppies under 4 months old and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk of acquiring distemper. Once infected, treatment can only help make the pet comfortable and prevent secondary infections. There is no cure.
Luckily vaccinations are highly successful at preventing canine distemper when administered appropriately and maintained through boosters as recommended. It is also fortunate that the virus is fragile and easily destroyed using common disinfectants, ultraviolet light, heat and drying, so keeping the areas which your dog frequents clean and sanitized will also help control exposure to the canine distemper virus, but exposure control should not be attempted as a replacement for proper vaccination protection. Caution should also be exercised when socializing puppies to avoid exposing them to potential infection before their immunity is fully developed.
If your dog is due for a distemper vaccination, or if you’re not sure if your dog’s distemper vaccination is current, please contact our office to check his current vaccination status or schedule an appointment.