Distemper is one of the most serious viruses seen in canines. Similar to the virus that causes human measles, distemper can affect the skin, brain and eyes, as well as intestinal and respiratory systems. Although dogs of any age can become infected, the majority are puppies less than six months old. The disease spreads rapidly, especially among the unvaccinated, and can often be fatal. Common symptoms of distemper include discharge from the nose and eyes, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Some dogs may also have seizures. If your canine companion has any of these symptoms, keep her away from other dogs and call us immediately. We will have you bring her to see us right away, but will need to take precautions to avoid exposing other patients to potential infection. The heads-up call is essential to ensuring we can protect the health of all the patients entrusted to our care, including yours. We can perform one of several tests available to confirm a diagnosis and begin treatment if the test is positive.
Like many diseases, the best treatment for distemper is prevention. It is a dangerous misconception that all dogs have a natural immunity to distemper, an urban myth that may have evolved due to today’s less frequent distemper outbreaks. In fact, however, distemper has become less common due to improved vaccines and keeping dogs on a regular vaccination schedule, and all puppies and adult dogs should be vaccinated regularly to help prevent the disease.
