Distemper is an extremely contagious disease caused in dogs due to a dangerous virus called CDV (Canine Distemper Virus).
This disease causes damage to the central nervous, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems in dogs.
Distemper is often exceedingly painful when left untreated and is very often incurable and fatal.
This disease usually attacks three to six month old puppies though older dogs and carnivorous mammals have also been known to contract this disease.
A while back distemper was the reason most of the unvaccinated puppies were dying.
But thankfully since the creation of the distemper vaccine in the 60's, occurrence of distemper and deaths due to it have considerably dropped.
Canine Distemper Virus is transmitted through viral particles that are airborne and are inhaled by dogs.
The excretions and bodily secretions of infected dogs also spread the virus.
This way it is extremely easy for a dog to be infected due to another dog carrying the virus.
There are many symptoms associated with distemper namely gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms and also nervous system disorders.
Usually the reasons for death due to distemper are disorders in the central nervous system and secondary bacterial infections.
Blood tests do not provide sufficient information for the detection CDV and hence veterinarians find the diagnosis difficult.
The diagnosis mostly involves eliminating comparative disorders that have similar symptoms as that of CDV.
It is often easy to confuse some other virus with the CDV, therefore a thorough diagnosis needs to be carried out.
Distemper, as mentioned before, is an incurable disease and since there is absolutely no cure for it, treatment is mostly supportive while the vet attempts the treat it the best extent.
The comfort of the dog is of importance and a warm, draft free and clean environment should be maintained for this purpose.
Medication for the treatment of diarrhea needs to be administered and the dogs nose and eyes should be cleaned of discharge regularly.
Dogs that have contracted distemper are likely to suffer from fever and dehydration and plenty of fluids must be given to prevent this.
Other symptoms need to be treated as they occur if possible.
Prevention is always better than cure for any viral disease and accordingly puppies should be vaccinated within a few weeks of their birth.
Distemper vaccination, in spite of providing long lasting immunity, is not permanent.
It is recommended that the dog is inoculated annually to maintain an immunity to distemper.
Usually while administering distemper vaccine, puppies are vaccinated against many other diseases.