Signs of distemper in dogs: photos, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Pets with illiterate maintenance and refusal to vaccinate can suffer from a wide variety of infectious diseases. All veterinarians recognize canine distemper as the most formidable pathology. Scientifically, the disease is called Kare's disease. It is based on a virus resistant to many drugs, which is transmitted in different ways. Puppies are especially susceptible to infection, but adults are also not protected from infection if they are not vaccinated. Therefore, it is important for all breeders to know the main signs of distemper in dogs and the necessary actions.

It is worth noting that puppies who catch this disease very rarely survive. Therefore, it is so important to get all the necessary vaccinations in time to protect your pet from death. Adult dogs are more likely to recover. If you managed to defeat the virus, then the pet acquires almost lifelong immunity. However, his he alth will be weakened, and any sore with poor care will immediately attack the body.

Canine Distemper Pathogen

Specialistsfound that the causative agent of a formidable disease is a virus from the group of paramyxoviruses. Infection occurs by airborne droplets and through the digestive tract. It is clear that this route of transmission is very common, so it is difficult to save a dog without vaccination.

As soon as the virus enters the body, it begins its rapid action. Embedding in blood cells, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into all tissues and settle in almost all organs of the animal. Therefore, signs of distemper appear very quickly.

Sources of infection

The distemper virus is transmitted from a diseased individual. Once a dog becomes infected, it becomes a source for the spread of pathogens. They are excreted along with feces, urine, saliva and even liquid secretions from the eyes. When analyzing dead cells and its epithelium, viral cells are also detected.

Veterinarians identify the following sources of possible infection:

1. Contact with a sick individual. And it can be not only a dog, but also wolves, foxes, ferrets, hyenas and minks. Therefore, it is so important for hunting animals to get all the necessary vaccinations on time.
2. Aviary, booth, bedding and bowl of the animal, if other individuals have access to them.
3. The virus can enter a home through contaminated shoes or clothing.

Within 5-7 days after infection, there are no signs of distemper in dogs. Symptoms appear after a week, but are quite acute. Cases have been recorded when the incubation period was reduced to 2 days or increased to 2 weeks.

Risk group

Specialists identify animals that are at risk and most at risk of catching the virus:

• unvaccinated puppies;
• weakened animals that are not properly cared for, not receiving good nutrition;
• stray dogs.

However, if puppies feed on the milk of a mother who has had this disease, then along with the food they get ready-made antibodies to this virus. Therefore, infection of such offspring is extremely rare, even if there is contact with a sick animal.

Despite the fact that signs of distemper in a dog may not appear immediately, it is already a source of infection as soon as the pathogen enters its body. It must be remembered that there are cases when the virus was excreted in the urine a few more days after the cure.

The disease has no special seasonality. Microorganisms feel great in summer and live in winter down to -24 degrees. However, veterinarians note the peak incidence in autumn and spring.

The first signs of distemper in a dog

Treatment of the disease is often started late, because the main symptoms are similar to the usual malaise:

• lethargy and depression;
• appetite disappears, vomiting may open;
• the mucous membrane of the eyes turns red;
• wool gets ruffled;
• discharge appears from nose and eyes;
• there is dyspeptic disorder;
• photophobia causes the animal to hide in corners;
• reluctance to make contact.

At first signs of distemper in dogs are not pronounced. However, an attentive owner will always suspect something is amiss. A dog's temperature may suddenly rise to 40 degrees and last for about three days. If the animal has strong immunity, then its body begins to fight the virus intensively and the signs of distemper in the dog gradually fade away. However, this rarely happens. Basically, the development of the disease further takes on a rapid turn.

Disease forms

As soon as the first sign of distemper appears in a dog, it is necessary to immediately show the pet to the veterinarian. After all, there are several clinical forms of this disease. Experts note that the virus often affects them in combination, and individually they rarely appear.

1. Intestinal form. The first sign of distemper in a dog in this case is manifested by vomiting and diarrhea. Feces with a yellowish tint, has a specific smell. If you examine the mouth of the animal, you can notice spots on the teeth and a whitish coating on the tongue. The pet refuses to eat at all, is very weak and may even lose consciousness.
2. Pulmonary form. It develops if the main accumulation of viruses occurs in the lung tissues. Signs of disease in a dog with distemper are manifested in this case by fever and cough. The dog is constantly thirsty, so he drinks a lot, but at the same time refuses food. If you do not start treatment, then they joindiarrhea and vomiting. The eyes begin to fester, and a viscous secretion also comes out of the nose.
3. Dermal form. It is considered the easiest and having a favorable outcome. The animal is diagnosed throughout the body with rashes that degenerate into ulcers. The danger is that bacteria can enter through cracks in the skin and a secondary infection may join. Inflammation of the skin causes great discomfort to the animal. If not properly treated, the pet will die from infection of wounds or exhaustion.
4. Nervous form. Experts note that with untreated distemper, all of the above forms flow into the nervous one. The animal is diagnosed with nervous tics, its limbs are constantly twitching. The dog becomes aggressive, embittered, can attack humans and other animals. There is intense thirst and foam at the corners of the mouth. All of the above signs of distemper in a dog are noted. The symptoms become more severe. At the last stage, epileptic seizures and paralysis of the limbs occur. The lethal outcome is due to complete paralysis of the respiratory system and muscles.

Rare manifestations

Signs of distemper in a dog can be quite non-specific. The photo clearly demonstrates the hardening of the pads on the paws, which may indicate a virus infection. There is no temperature, but there may be nausea and vomiting. Often this symptom is compared to the clatter of hooves due to the characteristic sound heard when the dog walks.

Course of illness

Depending onThe course of the disease may differ in signs of distemper in a dog. How to treat an animal will depend on its shape. There are lightning-fast course of the disease, acute and chronic.

1. Lightning fast. All clinical signs do not have time to appear, the animal dies within a day.
2. Spicy. All the typical signs of distemper in a dog appear. Symptoms (a photo of a sick animal clearly shows) are visible to any caring owner. The animal constantly vomits, he has diarrhea. A pet can drink greedily, but refuses favorite treats. The dog hides in a corner, coughing.
3. Chronic. The disease proceeds sluggishly for several months. The virus periodically escalates, and its action subsides under the influence of immune forces or drugs.

The defeat of the nervous system is the last stage, and the prognosis is the most unfavorable. If seizures appear, paralysis of the limbs is observed, then the dog, most likely, cannot be saved.

Despite the fact that the disease can be cured, animals after it often remain inferior. The nervous system, hearing, sight and smell suffer. Of course, the pet acquires lifelong immunity, and the lactating bitch passes it on to her offspring along with milk.

Treatment methods

Distemper is very dangerous for he alth and life. In dogs, signs (treatment required anyway) do not always appear immediately. But as soon as the owner has a suspicion that the virus has entered the body, it is necessary to show the animal to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, specific drugs against pathogenicmicroorganisms have not yet been invented. Therefore, the specialist prescribes only complex treatment. This takes into account the general condition of the pet, the clinical picture and the main signs of the disease. An important component of therapy is the appointment of immunomodulators.

The standard treatment regimen includes the following solutions:

• 40% glucose for strength;
• 40% urotropine;
• isotonic;
• calcium gluconate;
• diphenhydramine;
• ascorbic acid.

Prozerin is shown to prevent skin infection. To reduce the likelihood of paralysis, Mydocalm is required. A dog is often hyperexcitable during distemper, so "Phenobarbital" and glutamic acid can be prescribed to reduce these symptoms. Finlepsin is also indicated if epileptic seizures are diagnosed.

If distemper manifests itself in the form of a skin form, then antibacterial therapy is important to prevent infection of the affected epithelium.

Treatment is supplemented with immunizing drugs and vitamin therapy. In no case should the prescribed course be interrupted until complete recovery, even if the main signs have disappeared and the dog looks much better.

What can a host do

It is useful to understand what signs of distemper in a dog should alert. With timely treatment to the veterinary clinic, the chances of a favorable outcome are much greater. But ifonly a specialist should deal with treatment, then every breeder can create favorable conditions for recovery. For this you need:

• keep the dog in a dry and warm room, avoid drafts;
• darken bright light sources, because distemper develops photophobia;
• discharge from nose and eyes wipe regularly;
• treat skin wounds with a disinfectant solution;
• establish proper feeding (liquid cereals, meat broths, finely chopped meat, cottage cheese, kefir).

Treatment by folk methods

It is urgent to call a veterinarian as soon as signs of distemper are detected in dogs. Treatment at home is possible only with full observance of all the instructions of a specialist. There are many alternative methods of treatment, but their use is justified in case of emergency or in combination with the main therapy.

In any case, decoctions of St. John's wort or chamomile herbs will not harm. They are good at removing toxins from the animal's body. Motherwort infusion is recommended to calm the nervous system.

Using vodka

A fairly common method of treating distemper in animals with vodka. To do this, you need to prepare a solution consisting of half a glass of high-quality alcoholic beverage, a teaspoon of honey and a raw egg. The liquid must be poured into the dog's mouth. A syringe will help facilitate the process.

However, this method will help yard dogs with strong natural immunity, or individuals with mild symptoms. Chancesincrease significantly if, after emergency measures with vodka, you consult a doctor for complex therapy.

Vaccination as the only prevention

Experts say that the only sure way to prevent canine distemper is timely vaccination. All breeders should remember that the first vaccination must be done as soon as the puppy is three months old. Next on the schedule is revaccination. Veterinarians note that dogs usually tolerate injections well, sometimes signs of intestinal upset may appear.

To non-specific measures to prevent distemper, as well as other infectious diseases, include:

• keep clean animal bowls, boil them regularly;
• complete dog care and nutrition;
• periodic bedding disinfection;
• washing paws after a walk;
• storing outdoor shoes in closed cabinets, without access to them by a pet.

Timely vaccination, revaccination, proper care and quality nutrition will not only protect against distemper, but also give the dog a long and he althy life.

Illness after vaccination

Unfortunately, vaccination is not always able to protect a pet and the likelihood of catching the virus still remains. Veterinarians warn that non-compliance with the rules for preparing for vaccination can cause negative consequences and provoke the development of the disease. So, deworming is mandatory, otherwise the presence of worms will only aggravate the process. Puppies are also at risk of catching an infection after vaccination due to an inferior immune system. Therefore, after vaccination, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian, to protect the pet from stray and untested animals.

Adult vaccinated individuals are less at risk. They have already formed strong immunity, but the state of he alth has a decisive influence. Therefore, you should never forget about preventive measures, you should not rely only on vaccination. It is necessary to stop dog fights with yard dogs, and simple curiosity can lead to infection. It must be remembered that revaccination is required annually. Veterinarians note that vaccinated animals suffer the disease in a milder form, with timely treatment, a positive outcome is guaranteed.

Consequences for humans

Sometimes an inexperienced breeder is frightened by the first symptoms of distemper and seeks to protect any contact of family members with a sick pet. However, a pet without the help of a person will certainly not cope. You can safely proceed to treatment, because the canine distemper virus is not transmitted to humans.

But the virus is quite tenacious, and only boiling can kill it instantly. Therefore, it is so important to disinfect all places where the animal lives in the house, but this is done not to protect the person, but then to prevent the dog from re-infecting.

A dog that is also in a house with a sick animal is at particular risk. If possible, they should be separated and recommendations for preventive measures should be obtained. QuickerIn general, the veterinarian will offer the same treatment regimen, but without unnecessary drugs aimed at eliminating severe symptoms.

In closing

It is important for all breeders to know how distemper manifests itself in dogs. Signs, however, may be completely absent or occur in a latent form. In this case, the death of the pet is swift, and nothing can be done. But if symptoms begin to appear, the animal should immediately receive competent treatment. Only in this case can we hope for a favorable outcome. At the same time, veterinarians always make predictions carefully. The disease is very insidious, and in many respects it all depends on the immune forces of the animal itself and the spread of the virus throughout the body. If the puppy is sick, then the chances are much less. Older dogs are more likely to survive.