Distemper
Distemper is caused by a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family.
It is one contagious disease that affects mainly the dog but may also concern other Canids, the procyonids (as the raccoon) and some mustelids (as the ferret, mink).
From the point of view of its structure, This virus has similarities to the human measles virus but the distemper is not transmissible to humans.
The most frequently affected dogs are young unvaccinated puppies, but adults are not spared.
It is a disease grave which is very often deadly !
Mode of contamination
A dog is contaminated by inhaling the virus airway, or possibly by penetration of the agent by conjunctive eye.
The virus is not very resistant in the environment and usually, the contamination is through direct contact between two dogs, including through "face to face".
A dog with distemper excrete the virus in their nasal secretions and eye, her urine, its feces, And this from the 7th day after infection.
Symptoms
The incubation period of the disease is 3 to 7 days.
The symptoms are extremely varied.
Dogs with very frequently present:
– fever
– a deduction, Anorexia : the dog is prone, they eat less or not at all
– ocular and nasal discharge
– cough
– digestive disorders : the dog vomits, has diarrhea
– neurological disorders such as convulsions e.g.
– dermatological disorders (thickening and appearance "cracked" truffle and pads)
– ophthalmological disorders.
All these symptoms are not always present but if several of them gathered simultaneously or delayed a short period, le diagnostic distemper is very likely.
The veterinarian confirmed the diagnosis with additional tests :
it can search the virus by a conjunctival smear or Pap smear for females.
The search can also be done on urine.
A blood test can be useful and it often reveals a decrease in the number of early infection in lymphocytes.
Research methods will be chosen by the veterinarian based on the estimated date of the start of infection and the time the dog is presented in consultation.
Treatment and prognosis
Depending on the symptoms that this dog, the veterinarian will use different treatments:
– infusion
– antiemetic, antidiarrhéiques
– anticonvulsants
– antitussifs
– antibiotics preventively
Distemper causes very frequently death of the animal (in 50% cases).
The death of the dog can occur in 2 to 4 weeks after infection.
And even if healing, the dog can keep serious sequelae, particularly in terms Neurological.
If your dog is not vaccinated and exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian quickly in order to put in place adequate treatment.
It will also provide information on measures to prevent contamination of other dogs (disinfection of premises, isolation of sick animals…).
Vaccination
The only effective means of protection against distemper is vaccination.
It typically starts at the age of 2 months with a booster 4 weeks after.
It is essential that your dog has had an injection beyond 12 weeks of age (before this age, there may be interference with antibodies made by the mother and, thereby, vaccination will remain incomplete and not fully effective).
Then, the recall is a year later, then every year or every two years depending on the case.
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So remember to do vaccinate your dog against canine distemper. This disease is always present and can hardly be eradicated knowing that wild animals can be carriers of the virus (Wolves, foxes, raccoons…).
The only way to protect your dog is to vaccinate.
Also note that distemper is a "fatal flaw ": if you buy a puppy, it must be free of the disease. If within 8 days after the adoption of a dog distemper diagnosis is established, a lawsuit is possible.