Distemper in dogs

Causes of distemper in dogs

The development of distemper in dogs occurs for a single reason – the penetration into the animal's body of a very contagious virus belonging to the paramyxovirus family. It is characterized by the following features:

• is capable of very rapid reproduction;
• has a strong pathogenic effect on the body;
• can affect several organ systems at once or some specific;
• remains active in the physiological secretions of a sick dog for a week, and under favorable conditions, even more.

After the virus enters the animal's body, the dog itself becomes its carrier and source of infection.

Where a dog can get distemper

A dog can get infected with distemper anywhere, even at home. The source of infection is the secretions of another animal carrier of the virus. The virus can enter the body of a healthy pet in two ways: through the digestive tract and the respiratory system – therefore, almost any object is dangerous, not to mention direct contact with a sick dog. These are:

• feces, discharge during estrus, saliva, etc.;
• booth, aviary;
• bowl;
• litter and so on.

The owner himself can "bring" a distemper infection into the house, for example, on shoes. Cats can transmit the virus in the same way if they walk down the street, but come home to spend the night.

Mechanism of disease development

After the distemper virus has entered the animal's body, it begins to multiply actively. The owner will not immediately determine that his pet is sick. The first days the dog is in its normal condition. The latent period of reproduction of the virus can be on average a week, but sometimes two or even three. It is very rare to find a situation where signs of the disease appear 2-3 days after contact between a healthy and infected dog. This is possible only if the animal has practically no immunity.

Note: a dog who has had distemper remains immune to the virus for life.

After the incubation period has passed and the virus has multiplied sufficiently, the first signs of the disease appear.

Initial symptoms of canine distemper

How does distemper of dogs manifest itself at the initial stage? Among the primary symptoms, most often there are:

• lethargy;
• depressed look;
• puffiness and redness of the eyes;
• ruffled wool;
• sensitivity to light (the dog starts looking for a darker place);
• disorders of the digestive tract;
• mucous discharge from the nose and eyes.

Not all animals show these signs equally. Their severity depends on the state of immunity, lifestyle, age and other factors. In addition, some symptoms of distemper may prevail, or others may be added to those listed (for example, an increase in body temperature). It is also of great importance which organ system is most affected by the virus.

Further development of the disease: forms of distemper

Symptoms of distemper in dogs are rarely observed in isolation, since the virus affects the entire body. However, on the basis of those that are most pronounced, several forms of the disease are conditionally distinguished.

In addition to classification according to the clinical picture, there are several forms of distemper in dogs based on the duration of the disease.

• Lightning fast. The symptoms are almost non-existent, but the animal dies within a day.
• Super sharp. There is a very high temperature. The animal refuses to eat. Death occurs on the second or third day.
• Sharp. It is characterized by the above symptoms.
• Chronic. Periods of remission alternate with relapses. The duration of the disease is up to several months.

Attention! If there are any deviations in the behavior or condition of the dog, you need to urgently contact a veterinarian and take tests.

Diagnostics

After hearing complaints from the owner and an external examination of the dog, the specialist will definitely prescribe the passage of laboratory diagnostics. In most cases, the study will require taking blood, flushing from the eyes (nose, mouth).

To identify the virus and determine its type, it is possible to use methods such as:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) – allows you to detect the disease at an early stage;
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – also has high sensitivity;
• susceptibility test;
• tests to determine the antigen in the dog's blood;
• neutralization reaction – carried out to determine the species.

To date, there are many other methods of laboratory diagnostics that allow detecting distemper virus in dog tissues. The choice of a particular method is in the competence of a specialist.

Treatment

Treatment of distemper in dogs should be comprehensive, including both the use of medications and additional funds. The direction of therapy depends on the clinical picture and the general condition of the dog. Independently prescribe medications to an animal or treat it only with folk "proven" methods is impossible. The treatment regimen for the plague of dogs should be made by a qualified specialist.

Specific treatment

Specific methods of treating distemper in dogs include transfusion of blood to an animal from a dog who has had the plague, as well as the introduction of serum. The first method is rarely used, the second is most popular. The serum is pretreated blood taken from a dog already immune to the virus. Thus, it is saturated with antibodies to infection. It is administered three times, 1-2 times a day (according to the condition of the dog). Serums are most often used: Hyksan, Globkan, Avirocan.

However, the formulation of serum may not always help, but only at the beginning of the development of the disease. The later the owner went to the clinic, the less likely the pet is to recover.

Symptomatic treatment

In each individual case, a specialist will prescribe certain medications aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease or preventing them. The form of medicines (tablets, injections, solutions for external treatment and others) they are also individual in nature. Some examples of conditions (symptoms) and medications are listed below in the table.

In parallel, the intake of B vitamins is shown.

The duration of treatment of distemper in dogs is individual in each case.

Folk ways

Simultaneously with the main treatment for distemper in dogs, the use of folk methods is allowed, which must first be agreed with the veterinarian. For example, decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants can be used to accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body, prevent inflammatory processes, strengthen the immune system and other purposes. It can be: chamomile, motherwort, St. John's wort and so on.

Quite common is the advice on how to treat distemper of dogs with vodka. To do this, 100 ml of alcoholic beverage is mixed with 20 g of honey and raw chicken egg. The composition is well stirred and poured into the dog using a rubber "pear".

When using folk methods and methods, the owner should not forget that the outcome of treatment is determined by the state of the pet's immunity. If the dog has a strong immune system, then it is quite possible that she will be able to cope with the disease only on decoctions or vodka. With low immunity, such measures may not only not help, but also aggravate the situation, lead to death.

Additional measures

Treatment of distemper at home involves taking additional measures.

• The dog should be in a clean room, on a dry and regularly treated litter.
• The bowl from which the animal eats and drinks also needs to be washed and disinfected regularly.
• Since distemper is characterized by a fear of bright light, it is better to shade the place where the pet is located.
• In the presence of secretions, ulcers of their location should be carefully treated with antiseptics.

You will need to pay attention not only to the location of the dog, but also to its diet. On the first day of the disease, it is preferable to keep the pet on hunger, at least half a day. From the second day, you can enter a liquid diet, for example, cereal soups. It is allowed to add minced meat, pieces of raw meat, and an egg to them. You can give the animal various decoctions of medicinal herbs. Clean water should be constantly nearby.

Prevention of distemper

So that the dog does not get sick, the most important preventive measure is vaccination. For the first time, the distemper vaccine is given at the puppy age older than 3 months. After that, vaccination will need to be carried out once every year.

The condition of the pet's immune system is of great preventive importance. The better the immunity, the lower the risk of infection and the higher the probability of a quick recovery in case of illness. The simple principles of its maintenance will help strengthen the dog's defenses:

• clean litter and bowl;
• proper nutrition;
• periodic introduction of vitamin complexes into the feed;
• regular walks.

Washing paws on arrival from the street will also help to protect the animal from distemper, if the dog lives with the owner in the same room. In addition, you need to avoid dubious "acquaintances" of your four-legged friend, do not let go of the leash and do not leave unattended.

Which dogs are at risk

Any dog can get sick with distemper, regardless of age and breed. To a greater extent, the probability of infection threatens those four-legged friends who have weakened immunity. These can be dogs recovering from another illness or injury, yard stray animals, with an immune system weakened from malnutrition and lifestyle. In addition, a high percentage of morbidity is recorded among puppies under one year of age. Puppies who are breastfed, as a rule, do not suffer from distemper of dogs.

There are different degrees of risk of infection with distemper for dogs of different breeds. So, terriers and mongrels are considered more resistant to the virus. Often, owners of sheepdogs who are quite difficult to tolerate this disease turn to veterinarians. The highest probability of contracting distemper is in dogs belonging to hunting breeds and regularly leading a predetermined lifestyle. This is due to the fact that the distemper virus also affects wolves, foxes, and some other wild animals.

Is distemper transmitted in dogs to humans or other animals

No, dog plague is not transmitted to humans. Cats can't get infected with it either. The virus can only be transmitted to another dog, as well as wild animals (foxes, ferrets, etc.).

Can there be complications of distemper in dogs

Unfortunately, a fifth of dogs who have had distemper have complications. They can have a different character: from minor to serious. What exactly the consequences may be depends on the form of the disease. For example, intestinal leads to the development of chronic gastrointestinal diseases (colitis, enteritis), pulmonary causes pathologies of the heart, lungs, stomach. A common complication of distemper in dogs is paralysis of the hind limbs.

Only timely referral to a veterinarian can be the key to preventing the development of complications of distemper and the death of a dog!