Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper is an acute, highly contagious, and often fatal disease caused by an RNA virus.

Facts about Canine Distemper

• It affects a wide variety of animal families, including domestic and wild species of dogs, coyotes, foxes, pandas, wolves, ferrets, skunks, raccoons, and large cats—though not domestic cats.

• It can cause disease in several body systems, including gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and the spinal cord and brain.

• Young dogs and puppies are more susceptible.

• It is found worldwide.

• It is related to the measles virus.

Transmission of Canine Distemper

• It is airborne: it is transmitted following exposure to an infected animal when it sneezes or coughs.

• It is also in droplets that may be on surfaces (i.e. food bowls). Distemper does not survive long in the outside environment. It will survive only a few hours at room temperature and a few weeks in cooler shady places.

• From time of infection to first clinical signs is 3-7 days.

Clinical Symptoms of Canine Distemper

• It depends on where the virus attacks, but most commonly neurologic and upper respiratory symptoms are the most commonly affected.

• There will be a fever about 3-6 days after infection that may not be noticed; a second peak occurs several days later which is usually associated with nose and eye discharge, depression, and anorexia.

• Respiratory:

  • Nasal discharge

  • Pharyngitis — inflammation of the throat

  • Bronchopneumonia — a type of pneumonia

  • Dyspnea — shortness of breath

• Digestive:

  • Abdominal pain

  • Anorexia

  • Vomiting

  • Dehydration

  • Bloody, foul smelling, or loose stool

• Eyes:

  • Conjunctivitis

  • Swollen eyes

  • Pus-like discharge from eyes

  • Inflammation of retina and optic nerve (may lead to blindness)

• Neurologic:

  • Restlessness

  • Chewing movements, excessive salivation

  • Jerky muscle movements

  • Seizures and other neurologic disorders

• Skin:

  • Appearance of rash, blisters, and pustules

  • Skin on footpads and nose become hard and thick

• Movement:

  • Lameness

Diagnosis of Canine Distemper

• Usually based on vaccine history and clinical signs

• Baseline lab work—CBC (Complete Blood Count), chemistry, urinalysis

• If distemper is suspected, there is a variety of laboratory testing that can help confirm distemper.

Treatment of Canine Distemper

• There is no cure for distemper.

• Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and providing supportive care.

• Isolation from other dogs is necessary.

• There is the possibility of reoccurrence of neurological symptoms 2-3 months after recovery from initial disease.

• Ultimately, the mortality rate for dogs with canine distemper is about 50%.

Prevention of Canine Distemper

• There is a vaccine that does prevent infection and disease. This vaccine is a part of the puppy series. A booster is then given yearly to every three years thereafter.

• Recovered dogs are not carriers.

Reference: Canine Distemper – BLOOMINGPAWS