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Distemper causes a
multitude of symptoms that include various respiratory and
gastrointestinal symptoms to central nervous system disorders.
In fact, dogs that die as a result of distemper actually die
from central nervous complications caused by the disease or from
secondary bacterial infections.
Diagnosing distemper
is difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose as blood tests are
not helpful in detecting the presence of CDV. Successful
diagnosis often relies on the ruling out of comparative
disorders whose symptoms can often suggest the presence of CDV.
Because there is no
cure for distemper, treatment for the disease is supportive and
a vet will attempt to treat the symptoms as best as possible. A
clean, warm, and draft free environment should be created and
maintained to ensure the dog is as comfortable as possible. The
eyes and nose should be kept free of discharge, and medication
to treat diarrhea should be administered. Dogs suffering from
distemper must be given plenty of fluids to help reduce fever
and prevent dehydration. Other symptoms are treated as they
appear if possible.
Like any viral
disease, prevention is a much better and more successful option
than treatment and the best option is vaccination during the
early weeks of life. The distemper vaccination creates a long
lasting immunity to the virus, but it is not permanent. Annual
inoculations are recommended to maintain the dog’s immunity to
distemper. Most puppies are given vaccinations that include
distemper vaccine along with vaccines for several other
diseases.
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