Canine distemper is a highly contagious, often fatal virus attacking a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Initial symptoms include high fever, thick eye/nose discharge, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Advanced stages cause neurological issues (seizures, paralysis) and "hard pad" (thickened footpads/nose).

What are the long-term effects of distemper?

If a dog recovers from CDV, they are likely immune to reinfection for a prolonged time, perhaps even for life. Some dogs that recover from CDV may have residual muscular twitches or seizures. Others may develop neurologic signs in the weeks following recovery or years later, in a syndrome called “old dog distemper.”

What does distemper do to the body?

Canine distemper virus initially attacks the cells of the immune system, weakening a dog's immune response and putting the dog at higher risk of other infections. As the virus spreads to the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, dogs typically develop the following clinical signs: Discharge from the eyes and nose.

What organs does distemper affect?

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a very contagious virus that can cause severe disease in young dogs. Most commonly illness is seen in the respiratory tract (nose, wind-pipe/trachea, lungs/ pneumonia), the stomach and intestines (vomit, nausea and diarrhea), and the brain (seizures, tremors).

Can dogs fully recover from distemper?

Dogs who do not have neurological signs that are treated right away can fully recover. However, some dogs that recover from acute CD can still have neurological disease later in life. your puppies and dogs. Vaccinations are safe and highly effective against CDV.

Distemper disease effects on dogs

What is the life expectancy of a dog with distemper?

A dog's survival with distemper varies greatly; many die, especially puppies, but survivors can live for years, often with permanent neurological issues like seizures or muscle twitches, while others may succumb to complications within weeks to months. The disease progresses rapidly, potentially causing death within 2-4 weeks without treatment, but prompt supportive care can improve outcomes, though long-term damage is common. 

How does a dog get distemper?

Dogs catch distemper from other dogs or wild animals that are infected with it. They can catch it by having direct contact with the sick animal, or by standing near the animal when it is coughing. They can also catch it if they have contact with food bowls or other objects that were contaminated by infected animals.

Do dogs with distemper feel pain?

Yes. Distemper is very painful condition to the affected dogs. They suffer a lot from the inflammation in respiratory system, urinary system, nervous and muscles issues. The neurological damage can cause serious pain and discomfort in the animal.

What does distemper do to the brain?

Canine distemper virus (CDV) invades the nervous system and replicates in neurons and glial cell of the white matter during a period of severe viral induced immunosuppression. Demyelination occurs in infected white matter areas in the absence of inflammation.

When to euthanize a dog with distemper?

If the neurologic signs are severe or continue to worsen, it may be appropriate to have the dog euthanized. Dogs with some of the longterm, progressive forms of neurologic distemper have responded to immune system treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids.

What are the first signs of distemper?

Dogs commonly exhibit systemic clinical signs (fever, lethargy, loss of appetite), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, pneumonia), and GI signs (diarrhea), variably followed by neurologic signs (muscle twitching, focal or generalized seizures), which may be delayed.

Can distemper cause neurological problems in dogs?

Clinical signs of CDV infection can include respiratory, gastrointestinal, ophthalmologic, dermatologic, and neurological signs [8,9]. While neurological involvement is common, it is not exclusive to CDV infection [10,11].

What are the last stages of distemper?

In the extreme stages of the disease, the virus affects the other bodily systems, particularly the central nervous system (CNS); the dog may begin having seizures, fits and paralysis. Some strains of the virus can cause an abnormal enlargement or thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the foot pads and sometimes the nose .

What is the main cause of distemper?

Canine Distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus. It is a widespread disease primarily affecting raccoons, gray foxes, and skunks in the spring and fall.

Can a vaccinated dog get distemper?

Although the disease is considered uncommon in countries with high vaccine coverage, occasional reports indicate that vaccinated dogs have shown signs of distemper following suspected field infection [4].

What is another name for distemper?

Canine distemper virus, also referred to as CDV, canine morbillivirus, and hardpad disease, is a highly contagious disease affecting not just dogs but many animals. Distemper occurs worldwide, and dogs are the primary carriers of the disease.

What kills distemper viruses?

Puppies and non-immunized dogs are most commonly affected, but pets on immune-suppressants may also be vulnerable. CDV is resistant to the majority of cleaning products, and household bleach is the only known way to eradicate it.

Why do dogs cry in distemper?

The distemper virus is common in young dogs and puppies that haven't been vaccinated. This virus causes flu-like symptoms and causes tremors, hence the shaking. The dog will also experience coughing and a runny nose.

Where do dogs catch distemper?

This disease primarily spreads from one dog to another through direct contact, such as coughing and sneezing. Distemper doesn't just affect dogs. Infected ferrets and wildlife—foxes, wolves, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and other carnivores—can also become sick and transmit the virus to dogs.

What can be mistaken for distemper?

Kennel cough can mimic the respiratory symptoms of canine distemper. Vomiting and diarrhea should be differentiated from canine parvovirus, corona virus infections, bacterial and internal parasite infections, etc.

Can you touch a dog with distemper?

Your dog can catch distemper by inhaling infectious aerosol particles or by drinking from a water bowl shared with an infected dog. You can spread infection to your dog, too. If you handle a dog with distemper, disinfect your clothes and shoes and wash your hands thoroughly before touching your unvaccinated dog.

Does distemper show up in bloodwork?

Your vet may also need a sample of your dog's blood and cerebral spinal fluid. Fluid samples can be inspected under a microscope to detect the presence of distemper. A PCR test may also be performed to evaluate for distemper virus.

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