What is distemper in dogs? Distemper in dogs, a disease also known as distemper, is a very contagious pathology that mainly affects puppies, although it is also common in adults and other species such as ferrets or foxes. Nowadays, thanks to the vaccine, it is no longer so common, but there are still many cases in veterinary clinics of dogs affected by this disease. It can affect the respiratory system, digestive system and even the nervous system. This is a disease that can be serious since many of the animals that suffer from it can die as a result of the clinical signs of this virus. What are the symptoms of distemper in dogs? The clinical signs of distemper in dogs are very diverse and can occur all together or separately. The most common thing is that the dog starts with fever and/or diarrhea that does not improve with any treatment. Despite this, it can also start with a cough that worsens until it reaches viral pneumonia which, if not detected in time, can end the dog's life. Regarding neurological symptoms, the most frequent are seizures as well as alterations in mental status or difficulty coordinating your extremities.
In some dogs, there have also been cases of dermatitis or peeling of the skin on the nose and pads of their paws. How can I prevent canine distemper? The most effective way to prevent distemper in dogs is vaccination. In fact, this is Phone Lead part of the puppies' first vaccination and it is advisable to repeat the dose every year to ensure that your pet does not contract this dangerous virus. This vaccine against canine distemper is so important that a dog that is not vaccinated has a high chance of becoming infected just by taking it for a walk outside or by letting it play with other dogs. But it is not only advisable to vaccinate the puppy; For her mother, before mating, it is also advisable to vaccinate her with the quadrivalent vaccine: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza. This way we will ensure that the mother develops antibodies that she will transmit to the puppy during breastfeeding.
How is distemper cured? Canine distemper treatment Unfortunately, it is not a curable disease, but it is treatable to alleviate the symptoms and control them, as well as prevent the possible bacterial infections that appear as a result of distemper from continuing to progress. Speaking for example of seizures, anticonvulsant drugs can be used and, in the case of respiratory problems, oxygen can be used as therapy. Therefore, it is essential that you go to the veterinarian as quickly as possible when you notice any strange symptoms in your dog to start treatment as soon as possible and improve the prognosis. Does distemper from dogs spread to people? Don't worry, you have no risk of contracting the distemper virus while taking care of your dog. And, although this is related to the measles virus, which is very common in children, distemper from dogs is not spread to people. And canine distemper is not a zoonotic disease and, although it is highly contagious to other animals or dogs, it is not to people. And remember, by taking out Health Insurance for dogs in Kalibo, you can always go to the veterinarian of your choice in case of any strange symptoms or behavior. This way you will both be much calmer!