Distemper is a well-known and highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects dogs. Vaccination has significantly reduced its prevalence, but it can still be a concern, especially in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs. Here's an overview of distemper in dogs:
Symptoms and Phases of Distemper
- Early Symptoms: The initial symptoms of distemper include gooey eye and nose discharge, fever (often unnoticed), poor appetite, and coughing, leading to pneumonia. The virus attacks the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, leading to these symptoms.
- Gastrointestinal Phase: After the respiratory phase, the virus progresses to the gastrointestinal phase, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and callusing of the nose and foot pads (hence the old name "hard pad disease").
- Neurologic Phase: The final phase is the neurologic phase, where the virus affects the central nervous system, leading to seizures, tremors, twitching, imbalance, and limb weakness. Neurological signs can be severe and even fatal.
Transmission and Infection
Distemper is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with fresh secretions from infected dogs. The virus can survive for a short time outside the host, but it is not persistent in the environment. Most dogs get infected through inhalation of infected respiratory secretions. Puppies are particularly vulnerable as they rely on maternal immunity from colostrum, which wanes by 16 weeks of age.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing distemper used to be based on symptoms, but now PCR testing can detect the virus's DNA and distinguish infection from vaccination. Inclusion bodies in infected cells, visualized under the microscope, confirm distemper. Other tests like antibody titers and cerebrospinal fluid analysis can also aid in diagnosis.
Treatment and Prognosis
Unfortunately, there is no specific antiviral treatment for distemper. Recovery primarily depends on the dog's immune response. Supportive care, such as antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, airway dilators, and physical therapy, is provided to manage symptoms and complications. Neurologic distemper is particularly challenging to treat, and recovery with some permanent deficits is possible.
Prevention
Prevention is the key to managing distemper. Vaccination has been highly effective in controlling the disease. Puppies are vaccinated starting at 6-8 weeks and receive booster shots until 16 weeks of age. After the initial series, dogs receive boosters every 1 to 3 years or based on antibody levels.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
1. Can distemper cause stained and pitted teeth in dogs?
Yes, distemper can affect tooth buds during puppyhood, leading to stained and pitted enamel in adult teeth, a condition called enamel hypoplasia.
2. Is it possible to predict if a dog with distemper will progress to the neurologic phase?
It's challenging to predict the progression to the neurologic phase accurately. Around 50% of dogs that recover from the initial mucosal phase may develop neurologic distemper, but not all dogs progress to this stage.
3. How long is a recovered dog contagious?
A recovered dog can shed the virus for up to 2 to 3 months, so caution should be exercised around other dogs during this period.
4. What is "Old Dog Encephalitis?"
Old dog encephalitis refers to chronic brain inflammation that can occur in dogs that had distemper many years prior.
5. Can a dog get distemper from its vaccine?
Vaccinial distemper refers to neurodistemper occurring after a modified live distemper vaccine. However, this reaction is extremely rare and not possible with recombinant vaccines.
6. Can humans get infected with the canine distemper virus?
Humans can be infected with the virus, but it does not cause illness. Multiple sclerosis was once thought to be linked to canine distemper, but it may actually be related to the human measles virus.
7. Should a recovered dog continue to receive distemper vaccinations?
A recovered dog does not need further distemper vaccination as immunity should be lifelong. However, there is no harm in continuing vaccination, as it provides additional protection against other infections.
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