Square's disease in dogs: distemper
Canine distemper
Among the five possible major diseases in dogs is Paramyxovirus-induced canine distemper. This contagious disease is transmitted by the respiratory tract if the dog comes into contact with an infected congener or sniffs objects that have been in contact with the virus.
Distemper disease is still very common in France and often progresses to a fatal form. It causes clinical signs, mainly respiratory, with sometimes serious damage to the organs, skin and nervous system.
Where does this disease come from and how to identify its symptoms?
What are the treatment and prevention solutions?
Canine distemper is caused by a Paramyxovirus, similar to measles in humans, transmitted by body secretions (saliva, urine, stools, eye, and nose discharge, etc.) as well as by direct or indirect contact with contaminated individuals or environments. However, the virus is rather fragile in the external environment and can be easily eliminated by most conventional disinfectants. As Paramyxovirus is not very resistant to heat, it is mainly in autumn and winter that can cause canker sores.
The most exposed dogs are unvaccinated individuals and especially puppies aged 3 to 6 months, with the mother's antibodies protecting the young until they are three months old. Beyond this age, the immune system is weakened as it builds its own antibodies and, in the absence of vaccination, the risk of contamination is increased. There are three forms of canine distemper: respiratory, intestinal and nervous. The disease is often serious or even fatal and complications can be numerous.
The diagnosis of distemper disease is not always self-evident because it can cause mild clinical signs in some dogs. On the other hand, it is often dazzling and fatal in puppies. Affected individuals initially have a high fever that can last up to 48 hours. Then, the concrete symptoms will depend on the form of the condition, the respiratory form being the most common.
This results in a dry cough due to irritation of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils, followed by a fatty cough with mucus, sneezing, runny nose and sometimes eye irritation (conjunctivitis). These signs are then often accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, extreme fatigue and decreased appetite. In the case of intestinal damage, the symptoms are similar to those of acute gastroenteritis with very liquid stools that may show traces of blood.
Parallel infestation by opportunistic intestinal parasites and secondary bacterial infections is often observed. Finally, nerve damage is the most serious form that occurs only if the dog has already contracted one of the two previous forms. Associated disorders may include convulsions, motor difficulties, seizures, skin rashes, cataracts leading to blindness.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for canine distemper. Often, the veterinarian chooses to give broad-spectrum penicillin-type antibiotics, anti-vomitives, and anti-diarrheals to relieve symptoms. Clay-based gastric and intestinal dressings and food supplements can be used to assist in recovery and rehydration. Hospitalization is often necessary because the application of sanitary measures is essential. Even when treated, the animal is at risk of death and, even in the rare cases of cure, sequelae are likely to persist for life, especially if the virus has attacked the nervous system.
Vaccination is the best option against distemper disease and can be practiced early in the puppy's immune transition. During this period, certain precautions are recommended, such as keeping the puppy on a leash, limiting direct contact with unknown dogs, avoiding areas frequented by other dogs (parks, etc.) and preventing contact with the stools and urine of other dogs.
At home, clean floors regularly with bleach and disinfect your shit's belongings
Symptoms, treatment, and prevention
Among the five possible major diseases in dogs is Paramyxovirus-induced canine distemper. This contagious disease is transmitted by the respiratory tract if the dog comes into contact with an infected congener or sniffs objects that have been in contact with the virus.
Distemper disease is still very common in France and often progresses to a fatal form. It causes clinical signs, mainly respiratory, with sometimes serious damage to the organs, skin and nervous system.
Where does this disease come from and how to identify its symptoms?
What are the treatment and prevention solutions?
What is distemper?
Canine distemper is caused by a Paramyxovirus, similar to measles in humans, transmitted by body secretions (saliva, urine, stools, eye, and nose discharge, etc.) as well as by direct or indirect contact with contaminated individuals or environments. However, the virus is rather fragile in the external environment and can be easily eliminated by most conventional disinfectants. As Paramyxovirus is not very resistant to heat, it is mainly in autumn and winter that can cause canker sores.
The most exposed dogs are unvaccinated individuals and especially puppies aged 3 to 6 months, with the mother's antibodies protecting the young until they are three months old. Beyond this age, the immune system is weakened as it builds its own antibodies and, in the absence of vaccination, the risk of contamination is increased. There are three forms of canine distemper: respiratory, intestinal and nervous. The disease is often serious or even fatal and complications can be numerous.
What are the symptoms of canine distemper?
The diagnosis of distemper disease is not always self-evident because it can cause mild clinical signs in some dogs. On the other hand, it is often dazzling and fatal in puppies. Affected individuals initially have a high fever that can last up to 48 hours. Then, the concrete symptoms will depend on the form of the condition, the respiratory form being the most common.
This results in a dry cough due to irritation of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils, followed by a fatty cough with mucus, sneezing, runny nose and sometimes eye irritation (conjunctivitis). These signs are then often accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, extreme fatigue and decreased appetite. In the case of intestinal damage, the symptoms are similar to those of acute gastroenteritis with very liquid stools that may show traces of blood.
Parallel infestation by opportunistic intestinal parasites and secondary bacterial infections is often observed. Finally, nerve damage is the most serious form that occurs only if the dog has already contracted one of the two previous forms. Associated disorders may include convulsions, motor difficulties, seizures, skin rashes, cataracts leading to blindness.
How to treat canine distemper?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for canine distemper. Often, the veterinarian chooses to give broad-spectrum penicillin-type antibiotics, anti-vomitives, and anti-diarrheals to relieve symptoms. Clay-based gastric and intestinal dressings and food supplements can be used to assist in recovery and rehydration. Hospitalization is often necessary because the application of sanitary measures is essential. Even when treated, the animal is at risk of death and, even in the rare cases of cure, sequelae are likely to persist for life, especially if the virus has attacked the nervous system.
What preventive measures against distemper?
Vaccination is the best option against distemper disease and can be practiced early in the puppy's immune transition. During this period, certain precautions are recommended, such as keeping the puppy on a leash, limiting direct contact with unknown dogs, avoiding areas frequented by other dogs (parks, etc.) and preventing contact with the stools and urine of other dogs.
At home, clean floors regularly with bleach and disinfect your shit's belongings
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