Canine distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. The virus can also be found in wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, mink, and ferrets and has been reported in lions, tigers, leopards, and other wild cats as well as seals. The disease is spread mainly by direct contact between a susceptible dog and an infected dog showing symptoms. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus over short distances. Dogs can also catch it if they have contact with food bowls or other objects that were contaminated by an infected animal.
The symptoms of canine distemper can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure and include fever, nasal discharge, eye discharge, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, thickening of nose and foot pads, pneumonia, skin sores, and pain. If a dog infected with distemper survives the acute stage of the illness, it may also develop hyperkeratosis of the paw pads and nose, which gives distemper the nickname “hard pad disease” .
Veterinarians diagnose canine distemper through clinical appearance and laboratory testing. There is no cure for canine distemper infection. Treatment typically consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections; control vomiting, diarrhea, and neurologic symptoms; and combat dehydration through the administration of fluids. Dogs infected with canine distemper must be separated from other dogs to minimize the risk of further infection.
Vaccination is crucial in preventing canine distemper. A series of vaccinations is administered to puppies to increase the likelihood of building immunity when the immune system has not yet fully matured. After the initial puppy vaccine boosters, additional distemper boosters should be given to adult dogs every one or three years, depending on which vaccine is used.
