Do You Know What You are Vaccinating Your Dog Against? – Canine Distemper

As a good dog owner you know you are supposed to have your dog vaccinated, but do you know what you are vaccinating your dog against.  Most people have heard of distemper vaccines, but a lot of pet owners do not know what distemper is.  Since I have been asked countless times before, distemper has nothing to do with your dog’s behavior and it will not calm him down if he is vaccinated against it.  Canine distemper is the “D” of DHLPP or DAPP vaccines.

Canine distemper is a disease caused by a type of virus called a Morbillivirus.  Signs of canine distemper vary widely and include:

Nasal discharge

Sneezing

Coughing

Vomiting

Discharge from the eyes

Lethargy

Poor appetite

Diarrhea

Thickened footpads

Trouble breathing

Neurological signs (trouble walking, seizures)

Death

Usually the neurologic signs occur after other signs have resolved.  This often leads the pet owner to think that the dog was getting better and is now sick with something else.  

Dogs at risk for distemper include unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies, dogs in a shelter environment, and puppies born from a mother that has a mild form of the disease.   Most dogs affected are between 3 and 6 months of age.        

There is no specific treatment for canine distemper except for supportive care and helping the body get rid of the virus.  Sometimes the disease is too far along and the neurological signs that develop are incompatible with life. 

Canine distemper is contagious and any affected dog should be kept away from healthy dogs for at least 1 week after recovery.

This now completes your crash course in Canine Distemper.  Hopefully you now understand why Canine Distemper is vaccinated against.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at www.zutillavet.com/contact-us.html