Distemper in dogs: What is it and how to treat it?

Transmission of Distemper in dogs and symptoms of distemper

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or its contaminated secretions, particularly nasal and ocular secretions. Once the pathogen enters the dog through oral or nasal routes, the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) initially replicates in lymphoid tissue. It then spreads throughout the body, infecting the gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital, and central nervous systems.

• The initial clinical signs produced by canine distemper in dogs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Subsequently, the feverish state of the animal may appear to improve temporarily, but this is only transient as a new stage with clinical signs sets in.

  During a second feverish stage, the clinical manifestations become more evident. In this phase, various clinical signs can occur:

• Respiratory signs: Cough, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), and nasal discharge.

• Gastrointestinal signs: Vomiting and diarrhea.

• Neurological signs: Muscle twitches, paralysis, seizures. This picture is often observed in the final phase of the infection and may be accompanied by ocular lesions like conjunctivitis, and dermatological signs such as hyperkeratosis on the nose and footpads.

Even if the animal recovers successfully, neurological symptoms of distemper can persist. Additionally, recovered animals may suffer from enamel hypoplasia of the teeth.

The course of the disease can vary from mild to severe, and not all clinical signs may be present in every case. The duration of the illness is also highly variable.

In general, the course of the disease depends primarily on the levels of antibodies the animal possesses to defend against the Canine Distemper Virus. Therefore, puppies with undeveloped active immunity, as well as older dogs or those with conditions causing immunosuppression, are the most susceptible to the disease.

Distemper in dogs is highly lethal and seriously affects the health of canine patients, so it is essential to control it.

Treatment for distemper in dogs

Currently, there is no treatment for canine distemper, so all efforts focus on prevention and promptly initiating appropriate supportive care once the animal has become ill.

Due to the severity of the disease, it is crucial that treatment is initiated exclusively and urgently by a veterinary professional who has the tools to improve the health of the patients. Initially, the patient is stabilized with fluid therapy, followed by the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics (to prevent secondary bacterial infections). Some medications such as antivirals and those that boost the animal's immunoglobulins can also be used to treat this condition.

With proper management and timely treatment, it is possible for the animal to recover from the disease.

Prevention of canine distemper: the main control measure

Prevention through vaccination is the most important tool globally available for controlling this disease. The goal of vaccination is to provide animals of all ages with a baseline level of antibodies to defend against the virus. For this reason, regular vaccination is recommended for dogs of all ages, with a basic immunization plan including booster shots for puppies.

There is a wide variety of vaccines available on the market, including an option that can be administered starting at 28 days of age in cases of early outbreaks. Early vaccination against canine distemper in dogs is highly beneficial as it helps overcome interference from maternal antibodies in the puppy at this age. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid exposing the animal to potential sources of infection until their vaccination schedule is completed.