What is Canine Distemper?
More than 50% of dogs that acquire the disease die from canine distemper. An even lower 20% survival rate is present for puppies. And even if the dog survives the disease, it is very likely that its health will be permanently damaged. A case of canine distemper leaves the nervous system impaired with little to no hope for total recover. Partial or complete paralysis is common as well as other effects on sense of smell, and hearing and sight acuity. Infected dogs are more prone to other diseases such as pneumonia. The canine distemper virus (CDV) is not transmissible to man. Canine distemper virus is transmitted most often through getting in contact with mucous and discharges from the infected dogs' eyes and noses. Exposure to the urine and feces of dogs with this infection can also cause it. Even without coming in contact with infected dogs, a healthy one can still contract the disease through exposure to kennels and other areas where infected dogs have been in. These areas can still harbor the virus since it is airborne and can stay alive outside a host for long periods of time. It is almost impossible to prevent your pet from exposure to the virus. Some scientists predict that every dog living for 12 months has had contact with the virus at one point in time. The symptoms of canine distemper are not necessarily easily detected. And it is because of this that immediate treatment is rarely given. The disease is commonly disguised as something like a bad cold with most of the dogs with the infection running a fever and a stuffy head. Complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis and severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines can also develop from the disease. What an owner should be on the look out for in watching for signs of distemper such as squinting and/or a discharge from the eyes. If this occurs in tandem to loss of weight, vomiting, coughing, nasal drips, and diarrhea, there is more cause for concern. The virus then affects the nervous system in more advanced stages of the disease, which can cause nervous ticks and twitches as well as partial to complete paralysis. Infected dogs may also display listless behavior and have poor to no appetites. There have been cases when the virus causes sudden growth of the footpad's tough keratin cells, which results in a hardened pad. Prevention Canine distemper is so well-spread and the symptoms so varying that if your pet displays any signs such as those mentioned above, a visit to a veterinarian for a diagnosis should be made promptly. Similar to some viral diseases, surviving an infection usually develops the sufficient immunity needed to protect the dog from distemper infection for the rest of their lives. However, lots of dogs (especially pups) do not survive infection. Vaccination is still the safest and surest protection. And until scientists develop a distemper vaccine that guarantees life-long immunity with a single series of inoculations, veterinarians recommend vaccinations for your dog every year. Puppies who have been born to dogs that have survived the disease acquire a certain amount of natural immunity from the colostral milk produced by their mother during the first few days after birth. The amount of immunity a puppy acquires differs with the amount of antibodies its mother has. Nevertheless, it is never complete and will diminish quickly to about half by 8 days old and then nearly three-fourths by 2 weeks’ time. It is impossible for a pet owner to know when his pet should be vaccinated since the proper time for vaccination varies from one animal to the other. The veterinarian can determine the most proper time to begin vaccination basing this decision upon his experience and your dog’s general health. To maintain and assure this general good health and condition, regular care and close observation of hints of ill health are required. Experts suggest consulting immediately with your veterinarian if your pet shows signs of: - Abnormal eye and/or nose discharge - Loss of appetite - Fluctuating weight losses and gains - Excessive water consumption - Abnormal and uncontrolled stool production - Abnormal viciousness or lethargy - Abnormal limping - Difficulty getting up or lying down - Constant head shaking, scratching, licking or biting of body - Loss of hair, open sores, ragged or dull coat - Foul breath - Excessive tarter deposits on teeth It is possible that even with these symptoms, CDV infection may not be the case. But it is still better to be sure to bring these concerns to an expert so that the problem can be addressed right away. Even with a disease this serious, you can turn the tide of canine distemper to your pet’s favor with prudence for your pet’s health, taking the correct actions to symptoms observed and being in constant consultation with your vet. |
Sponsored Ads:Related Articles:
Dogs / Dog Training / Dog Training Basics - Training The New Puppy Golden Retriever / Feeding Your Golden Retriever Dogs / Dog Behaviour / The Danger Of A Jealous Dog Dogs / Dog Food / Top Reasons To Buy Healthy Dog Food Dogs / Dog Training / Dog Training For Desired Behaviors Cat Training / Cat Training With A Clicker Cat Training / Litter Training A Cat Dogs / Dog Nutrition / Nutritional Needs For Different Dog-Types Dogs / Dalmatian Dogs / Physical Traits Of A Standard Dalmatian Dogs / Dog Food / Things That Constitute A Healthy Dog Food Recipe Dogs / Dog Training / How To Teach Your Puppy To "Sit-Stay" Pet Food / List Of Recalled Pet Food Keeps Pets Safe And Pet Owners Happy Dogs / Hound Dogs Dogs / Dog Toys / You Can Never Be Too Safe: 7 More Ways To Help "Pet-Proof" Your House Dogs / Puppy Training / What You Need To Know In Training Your Puppy: Part 1 Also In This Category:
Healthy Dog - Selecting a Proper Diet for Your Dog - The Best Toys For Your Dogs - How to Control Fleas - Regular Vaccinations And Your Dog - Healthier Teeth for a Healthier Pet - Should Dogs Be Given Medicine? - What is Kennel Cough? - Does Your Dog Have Allergies? - Protect Your Dog From Leptospirosis - Your Dog’s Intestinal Parasites - Parvovirus Is Deadly - How to Give Your Pet CPR - Do Dogs Get Hepatitis? - What is Hip Displasia? - Introduction Currently Online :6 member(s), 28 guest(s): downloader, FallingMoon, NoOne, Orchid, RainbowPop, VinyLover, Crawler.de, Google, MSN.com, Cobion.com, Slurp Search : |
No comments yet
mouth pull car stomach inflammation guarding contact happy endangered spotting sleepy ready vaccinations simple common attention chew pr diabetes clicker reptiles refer diets number sheep cats kill free periods del border animal appearance insurance aging spot coverage breeders raccoons menu vitamin clean joints socialization aggression reptile quiet reactions give obedience meals
Categories: Healthy Dog Dog Diets Obedience Training Boxer Holistic Veterinary Responsible Dog Ownership New Dog Owners Top 5 Deadly Canine Diseases Cats Pet Food Hypoallergenic Dogs Pets Dog Breeds Iguanas Golden Retriever Dog Care Reptiles Beekeeping Cat Training Small Dog Breeds Puppy Training Poodle Dogs Pit Bull Dogs Labrador Retriever Dogs Dog Training Dog Toys Dog Supplies Dog Shows Dog Psychology Dog Parasites Dog Nutrition Dog Grooming Dog Food Dog Diseases Dog Collars Dog Behaviour Dalmatian Dogs Dogs Pet Insurance