Canine Distemper  - A Full Body Disease

Alan Myers, DVM

Symptoms of Canine Distemper can affect many organ systems – and sometimes the disease can manifest and present itself in different ways.  It can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, the eyes, and even the skin.  Distemper is very contagious and infects young dogs the most, but I have also seen it in older, unvaccinated dogs.

It is caused by a virus that can spread through the air, and exposure results from direct contact with an infected animal.   This virus doesn’t survive well in the environment and it can be killed with most disinfectants.

Usually the first clinical signs that you see are depression, lack of appetite, and coughing with nasal discharges. A high fever will often be present.  It can lead to pneumonia.  Distemper can also cause diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes neurological symptoms such as seizures or muscle twitching. Once neurological signs are seen, the disease has usually progressed to an advanced stage and treatment is not as successful.  If neurological symptoms develop, long term neurological deficits can persist after recovery.

All breeds of dogs are susceptible to infection by Distemper, and without treatment it can have a high mortality rate.  Canine Distemper can affect other animals – such as coyotes, raccoons, and skunks. These wild animals often are the source of the virus.

The best “medicine” for Distemper is PREVENTION!!!  This is one of the major diseases that immunizations can give protection against. Be sure to get the full series of puppy immunizations that is recommended by your veterinarian!

** The author of this article accepts no liability for misdiagnosis. If your animal shows any signs/ symptoms of the diseases described above, contact your veterinarian immediately. This is an informational article only and is NOT a complete list of diseases in dogs. This article should not take place of regular veterinary care.*