Canine Distemper, a Virulent Threat
Canine distemper caused by a paramyxovirus, similar to one that causes measles in people, causes distemper in dogs of any age. But puppies 3 to 6 months are especially vulnerable. An estimated 75% of infections are fatal. Very young puppies and older dogs are most apt to die.
Spread of Infection
Infected body fluids (feces, urine, vomit, nasal drainage ) from a dog or wildlife (such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes) spread the paramyxovirus. Usually it's transmitted through air. A primary source may be dogs with mild canine distemper, misdiagnosed as "kennel cough". The infected animal coughs: fluids containing paramyxovirus spew through the air. Recovering dogs still shed paramyxovirus several weeks after symptoms disappear.
Any dog may ingest the paramyxovirus doing what all dogs do: sniffing, licking, or just breathing. Then macrophages (immune cells meant to destroy viruses) engulf the paramyxovirus
and carry it to lymph nodes. The lymphatic system connects to the bloodstream, which spreads the paramyxovirus to multiple organs.
Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Distemper symptoms vary with severity and locations of paramyxovirus attack. Mild cases may only have a "kennel cough". Distemper symptoms also may be dismissed as signs of a simple cold or allergy, teething problems in a young puppy, or "old age" in an older dog.
Don't ignore these symptoms, especially in young puppies not yet vaccinated, or older dogs that may not be current on re-vaccination:
*Fever: mild initially, increases after 3 to 6 days as infection spreads through lymphatic system. Fever may go away, and then return several days later as infection spreads through bloodstream to other organs (6 to 9 days).
*Discharge: eyes and nose
*Respiratory: cough, labored breathing.
*Intestinal : initially loss of interest in food, then vomiting and diarrhea.
*Neurological: muscle twitching or spasm (myoclonus), uncoordinated movements (ataxia), paralysis (full or partial), increased sensitivity (pain reactions, irritability to touch), decreasing mental ability.
*Seizures: may affect any part of the body, but a common one - seen only with canine distemper - is "chewing gum seizures" (dog appears to be chewing gum).
Fatal cases usually include neurological symptoms. Seizures, a symptom of attack on the central nervous system, may also become an agent of attack. Abnormal electrical discharges, produced by damaged neural tissue, create seizures. Continuing "electrical shorts" may cause more extensive scarring of sensitive brain tissues, enlarging zones of damage that produce additional abnormal discharges.
Seek treatment immediately if seizures, severe vomiting, or diarrhea occur. These may be life threatening.
Prevention of Distemper
Distemper vaccine is the best preventative. Vaccinate early and re-vaccinate yearly. Although some people believe older dogs have built up immunity, they may not. Older dogs along with young puppies are most vulnerable to severe complications and death from canine distemper.
Set up a schedule and see your veterinarian on a regular basis to prevent infection by canine distemper and other canine health problems. Routine exams and vaccinations prevent canine distemper, among other health problems, and minimizes the spread of disease.
People, especially those caring for dogs with distemper, should check their own vaccination against measles. As that virus is very similar to the paramyxovirus, measles vaccination is protective to human caregivers.
Treatment of Canine Distemper
There is no cure; however, treatment is essential to alleviate distemper symptoms, minimize serious health consequences, and to prevent death. Early treatment is most effective.
Your veterinarian may use an IV (intravenous tube) to push fluids and medication directly into a vein. These fluids immediately enter the bloodstream for quicker use by the body. This also addresses the problem of loss of anything given by mouth (due to nausea and vomiting) and reverses dehydration, itself a severe health risk.
Drugs to treat pneumonia, other respiratory problems, and intestinal disorders may be prescribed. Anti-seizure medications may be needed if neurological symptoms occur.
Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Ask about additional distemper symptoms that may arise and other probable courses of treatment if symptoms persist, or change dramatically.
Long term effects
Multiple organs affected include the brain, eyes, skin, teeth, respiratory and intestinal systems. Distemper in dogs may cause lasting damage to any or all of these organs. Decreased vision or blindness may occur from retinal damage or destruction of the optic nerve. Decreased endurance from respiratory complications may persist.
Distemper in puppies frequently causes permanent damage to developing enamel: mottling of the teeth, thickening of the nose, and hardening of the footpads. Thus, "hard-pad disease" is a common nickname for canine distemper.
But the hardest facts are that death or disability, and damage superficial or severe, are preventable. Save time, save money but don't skip routine veterinary exams or vaccinations. Distemper vaccine prevents canine distemper. It saves lives.