Canine distemper is a viral infection that affects dogs, causing significant harm and even death in some cases
. The disease is characterized by attacks on the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems
. It is highly contagious and can spread from an infected animal to another through direct contact, coughing, sneezing, or shared spaces such as boarding facilities
. The Canine Distemper Vaccine, also known as DAPP (Distemper, Adenovirus Type 2, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza), protects against four deadly diseases, only one of which is called "distemper"
. Distemper in dogs can lead to the following symptoms
:
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
The virus affects the lymphoid tissues first, then the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and finally the central nervous system
. Complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis are possible
. The time from infection until when symptoms first appear is 14-18 days, although a high fever may be present as soon as 6 days after infection
. To protect your dog from canine distemper, it is essential to keep them up- to-date on their vaccinations. Puppies typically receive their first vaccination after being weaned (usually between 6-8 weeks of age) and may receive a booster vaccine every 2-4 weeks until they are roughly 14-16 weeks old
. Adult dogs should also receive vaccinations on an annual basis
. The DAPP vaccine is a core vaccine for dogs, meaning that all dogs should remain current on this important vaccination
