In the past few months, we have been witnessing a worrying rise in the number of stray dogs succumbing to Canine Distemper (CD), one of the deadliest diseases a dog can contract. While the symptoms and trauma of CD can be extremely concerning to pet parents and care-givers, the good news is that this disease is easily preventable if one follows a proper vaccination schedule. Through this post, we hope to give you all the information you would need to be aware and prepared to keep your furries safe from this infection.

CD - What it is and how it spreads

Canine distemper is a highly contagious and lethal viral infection caused by a paramyxovirus, related to the measles viruses, which can affect and spread not just from dogs but also other animals such as skunks and ferrets. The paramyxovirus is transmitted very easily and once inside the host, it attacks multiple organs mercilessly, including the central nervous system in the most severe cases, leaving the host to fight for his or her life. 

Canine Distemper can be contracted through direct contact with other infected animals or through contact with infected blood, urine, water and other objects and is also transmitted from a pregnant dog to her offspring through the placenta. CD is airborne and spreads much like the common cold. When an infected dog or animal sneezes or coughs, the aerosol droplets containing the virus contaminate the surrounding area, infecting nearby animals and surfaces. While the virus is incapable of surviving harsh environmental factors for long and is easily destroyed by most disinfectants, any infected animal can shed the virus for several months which makes it critical for pet parents and care-givers to be extremely careful about interacting their unvaccinated dogs with potential CD shedders.

Once inside the host, the paramyxovirus multiplies in the lymphatic tissue of the respiratory tract before spreading to other organs like the GI tract, the optic nerves and the central nervous system, where it often causes irreversible damage, if not lethal.

What signs do I look out for?

Many symptoms of CD may not be characteristic of this disease alone, which can lead to pet parents confusing it for other infections or illnesses. CD progresses in two stages, the first is when it infects the respiratory organs and second when the disease has advanced enough to infiltrate the rest of the body. Watch out and rush to the vet at the earliest if your dog exhibits any of all of the below symptoms.

Stage One - Approximately 3-6 days after infection

• Fever

• Nasal discharge

• Pus-like discharge from eyes

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Coughing

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty breathing

• Pneumonia

Stage Two - Once the virus reaches the Central Nervous System

• Muscle twitching or spasms

• Head tilt

• Partial or full paralysis

• Repetitive eye or chewing motions

The damage done to the nervous system with the advancement of the disease is often fatal or irreversible, due to which it becomes extremely essential to look out for Stage 1 symptoms and begin supportive care without further ado. Dogs that make it through Stage 2 of CD may often develop hyperkeratosis, which causes their paw pads and nose to harden and enlarge, making them feel uncomfortable and unhealthy. CD is also called the “hard pad disease” due to this painful condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Due to the severity of symptoms this illness can cause, we cannot urge you enough to take your dog to the vet the minute you think something is wrong, whether or not you suspect CD because even though distemper is one of the deadliest infections our canine friends can contract, we unfortunately do not yet have a cure. It is diagnosed through a combination of symptoms and clinical tests. Once CD is confirmed, the infected dog is immediately given supportive treatment in isolation, to prevent any cross contamination or further spreading. Whether or not an infected dog makes it through depends on the severity of symptoms and the quality of supportive care. While some recover quickly, many dogs that survive CD can take weeks or even months to fully recover.

Prevention

Given that there is no cure for CD, prevention is the only means to keep your furry ones safe from its devastating effects. It is easily preventable if a timely vaccination schedule is strictly adhered to. Vaccinations for Canine Distemper are part of the core DHPP vaccine shots that vets strongly recommend administering to all dogs. The following are some points to mindfully keep your pets from contracting this deadly virus.

• Ensure your pup is administered all the shots of the core vaccines on a timely basis.

• Follow through with your dog’s annual booster shots to ensure immunity levels to CD are high.

• Keep your dog away from other infected dogs or animals, regardless of whether he or she has been vaccinated.

• Take precautions to carefully socialise your unvaccinated pup and refrain from taking him or her to potential CD hotspots such as dog parks and classes until they are completely vaccinated.

While vaccinations greatly reduce the risk of your dog getting infected with CD, there have been incidents where even vaccinated dogs have contracted the disease. Nevertheless, timely vaccination not only reduces the probability of distemper in your dog, but also boosts immunity and gives him or her a fighting chance to survive if it ever comes to that. So the bottom line is, vaccinate, vaccinate and religiously vaccinate all your pets! And if you are ever in doubt, check out our instagram post to look up the general vaccination schedule all vets recommend. Follow us and be in the know, for your dogs deserve only the best!