Canine Distemper Virus: Quick Fact Sheet
Canine Distemper Virus or CDV is a highly contagious and dangerous viral disease that can affect your dog.
How is Canine Distemper Virus Transmitted?
This virus can be transferred to another dog through urine or feces of an infected dog. But this virus is airborne which means the viral particles can be breathed in by your pet.
Symptoms of Canine Distemper Virus
On the early stage of the canine distemper, the dog will have high fever. Along with this fever, reddened eye and discharge from the nose and eyes are also present.
An infected dog will be usually tired and lethargic. This will make your dog lose appetite. The dog may also have continuous cough and diarrhea. Later on the virus will attack the nervous system of the dog. This will result into seizures, fits, paralysis and hysteria attacks.
A certain strain of this virus may cause thickening of the feet of the dog or unusual enlargement.
Diagnosis and Giving Care
To diagnose a dog with distemper is difficult. This is because there is no specific test that will tell if the dog is having distemper or not. What the veterinarian may do is still conduct some tests that will confirm the diagnosis.
If your dog has canine distemper, the best thing to provide is supportive care. This means that your dog will need IV fluids, anti-seizure, anti-diarrhea, anti-vomiting medications. Antibiotics may also be given for secondary bacterial infections.
Dogs with canine distemper should be isolated from other dogs. And should remain separated at least two weeks after they have ceased showing clinical signs of distemper.
Prevention of Canine Distemper Virus
As the actual cause of the distemper virus is not determined, it is observed that it can be prevented when your dog is vaccinated. It is recommended that a distemper shot be given to a puppy starting at 6 to 8 weeks old. A series of shots should be given every 4 weeks after until the puppy is 20 weeks old.
Learn more about Canine Distemper Virus at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Call Ms. Mylez to schedule your Distemper Vaccination at 896-2860 today!
Give the best care for your pet at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital!