What is Canine Distemper?
This is a virus that can affect canidae (dogs, foxes, wolf, coyote, etc) Mustelidae (ferrets etc) Procyonidae (raccoon etc.) Ursidae (bears)and felidae (cats, lions, etc). It has even been isolated form seal. The virus causes fever, vomiting diarrhea, respiratory and neurologic symptoms (tremors, ataxia or walking like the dog is drunk). Even if a dog or puppy survives distemper, there can be long term damage that may show up years later in the form of "old dog distemper". Treatment of distemper is mainly supportive care until the virus runs it's course or the patient dies. All dogs and puppies should be vaccinated against canine distemper. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing the disease. |