Canine distemper is one of the most significant and highly contagious viral diseases of dogs. Distemper affects multiple organs and causes numerous symptoms that increase in severity as the disease progresses. Distemper symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, eye inflammation and discharge, diarrhea, and secondary infections (e.g., pneumonia, infection of the brain and spinal cord). It is caused by a paramyxovirus, a type of virus that causes measles in humans and rinderpest in hoofed-animals such as cattle. Canine distemper affects dogs at any age. Cats, skunks, and binturong are some other animals that are also susceptible to the canine distemper virus.
Young puppies between 3 and 6 months old are most susceptible to infection and disease and are more likely to die than infected adults. Nonimmunized older dogs are also highly susceptible to infection and disease. Nonimmunized dogs that have contact with other nonimmunized dogs or with wild carnivores have a greater risk of developing canine distemper.
The canine distemper virus is spread in many ways. An infected animal can easily shed the virus through exhalation implying that the virus is transmitted via air. The virus is also shed through other bodily secretions and excretions such as urine and feces. Younger dogs are more vulnerable canine distemper than older dogs because of their under developed immune systems.
What canine distemper is in terms of symptoms maybe confused with other diseases due to its universal and wide range clinical manifestations. Common symptoms are either gastrointestinal (such as vomiting, decrease in appetite, and diarrhea) or respiratory in nature (difficulty in breathing). Transient fever or dramatic and sporadic increases in body temperature is a telltale sign of the infection. Behavioral changes include lethargy, weakness, and depression. Neurological signs may also be seen such as muscle twitching especially near the mouth and legs. Seizures and paralysis may occur in severe cases. A more or less unique skin sign in dogs with canine distemper is the hardening of footpads and nose pad most evident in older dogs. Sudden death is not uncommon with this disease.
Aside from signs and symptoms, laboratory diagnostic examinations such as blood tests are recommended to detect and confirm the disease and its severity. Actual viral isolation and identification is also possible depending on the capacity of a laboratory.
Canine distemper is rampant in unvaccinated dog population. The distemper shot, or distemper vaccine, which often is administered with the parvovirus (also called "parvo") vaccine. Many industrialized countries having implemented great vaccination programs against the disease have successfully controlled the virus from spreading. Vaccination of young dogs begins as early as 6 weeks of age. Booster shots are administered yearly to ensure and maintain the antibodies against the virus. Basic proper hygiene and sanitation such as the use of standard disinfectants is sufficient to kill the canine distemper virus. Infected animals should also be quarantined from other animals.
Similar with other viral diseases there is no direct treatment for canine distemper. Moreover, treatment becomes irrelevant provided that preventive measures are performed. Early detection of the disease is also important to increase the chances of recovery. Once a dog has been infected, a dog owner can only offer supportive treatment and hope for the best. Antibiotic therapy may also be prescribed to lessen any detrimental effects of opportunistic secondary bacterial infections. Recovery may be absolute. However, in most cases, despite being provided with the utmost care, lingering debilitating signs do persist throughout the animal’s life such as involuntary muscle twitching.
[Above info from: http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper/index.shtml]
