Distemper

What is Distemper?

Distemper is a viral disease caused by what is called a paramyxovirus.
This is a type of virus that is closely related to the measles virus, but luckily it is not known to cause any disease in humans.
This virus will attack the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs, foxes, ferrets, skunks, otters, and even bears.
While there is an effective vaccine against this disease, the disease remains prevalent due to it having a reservoir in the domestic and feral dog populations.

Initial symptoms include:

A short-lived fever several days after exposure that will subside in a few days.
A second fever will often be accompanied by clear nasal discharge, mucopurulent ocular discharge, lethargy, and anorexia.

Advanced Symptoms & Complications:

Dogs may contract secondary bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
In some cases, the virus will attack the nervous system, causing encephalomyelitis, which is inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurologic symptoms including: muscle twitching, excessive salivation, chewing-gum fits, circling, head tilt, weakness, seizures, and even paralysis.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment that specifically kills the distemper virus.
As with many viral infections, the treatment is supportive care to allow the animal’s own immune system to defeat the disease.
Despite there not being a cure, these animals will often require antibiotics to treat secondary infections and anti-inflammatory drugs to control inflammation in infected tissues.
Adult dogs can often survive this infection, but some can have permeant health problems due to the damage caused by the virus.
Puppies who become infected with distemper are at a much greater risk, and often do very poorly, with many dying despite significant medical intervention.

Distemper can absolutely be prevented though vaccination and some prudent animal husbandry.
Distemper virus vaccine is included in the DAPPV combination vaccine that all dogs should receive as puppies and at 6 – 8 – 10 weeks of age in a 3 shot series. This vaccine also protects dogs against parvo virus, adenovirus types 1 & 2, and parainfluenza virus.
Making sure your dog is fully vaccinated prior to being taken in public places, introduced to other dogs of unknown vaccination history, or taken to places where dogs congregate like pet stores, dog parks, or boarding facilities will help prevent them from contracting any of the previously mentioned diseases.