Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes
a contagious disease in dogs, commonly known as distemper. A
dog that contracts distemper will suffer damage to their gastrointestinal,
respiratory, and central nervous systems. There is no cure for
distemper and the virus is often fatal.
Puppies that are between the ages of 3 and
6 months are most susceptible to the disease, although older
dogs and can also contract distemper. In the past, distemper
was the predominate cause of death among puppies that had not
received the distemper vaccination. Since the distemper vaccine
was created, incidents of distemper and distemper related deaths
have dropped dramatically.
CDV is transmitted through airborne viral particles
that are inhaled by a dog. Infected dogs will also shed the
virus through bodily fluids and excretions. This makes it very
easy for an infected dog to infect many other dogs.
Distemper causes a variety of symptoms that
can include respiratory and gastrointestinal difficulties, and
various central nervous system disorders. Dogs that die as a
result of distemper actually die from central nervous complications
or from resulting bacterial infections.
Diagnosing distemper is difficult for a veterinarian
because blood tests are not helpful in detecting CDV. Diagnosis
often relies on ruling out comparative conditions whose symptoms
often suggest the presence of CDV.
Because there is not a cure for distemper,
treatment is of the symptoms only and a vet will attempt to
treat the symptoms as effectively as possible. A warm, clean,
and draft free place should be created and maintained to make
the dog as comfortable as possible. The dog's nose and eyes
should be kept free of discharge, and the dog should be given
medication to control diarrhea. Dogs that suffer from distemper
should be given plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and
reduce fever.
Just as with any viral disease, prevention
is the better and more successful option than treatment and
dogs should be vaccinated in the early months of life. The distemper
vaccination will create a long lasting immunity to distemper,
but it is not permanent. Yearly vaccinations are recommended
in order to maintain a dog's immunity to the distemper virus.
Most puppies are given vaccinations that will include the distemper
vaccine along with vaccines for several other diseases.
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