Distemper is a viral disease that dog owners most often hear about from their veterinarians. While highly contagious, canine distemper is preventable with regular vaccines and booster shots. Paramyxovirus (Trusted Source) is the virus responsible for the disease.
The canine distemper virus attacks many systems within your dog. Symptoms are typically mild, but at the most severe, distemper can be fatal. The best way to protect your dog is through preventative care.
There are three main ways your dog can be exposed to the virus. Being aware of these situations can help you protect your pup and prevent infection.
Animals that spread distemper
Distemper is not only spread from dog to dog. Wild animals are also susceptible to this disease. Because the virus is highly contagious and airborne, a distemper outbreak in your area through wild animals could still affect your dog, even if they don’t encounter another dog. Animals that spread the virus include:
If you suspect your dog of having signs of distemper or possible exposure, contact your vet immediately. Here are some symptoms and warning signs to be aware of:
Stage 1: Early symptoms (3-6 days after infection)
Stage 2: Advanced symptoms (6 days and beyond)
As the virus progresses, so will your dog’s symptoms. In this stage, the virus may begin its attack on the nervous system.
👉 If not treated early, distemper can be fatal. Your dog does not need to display all these symptoms before you should call your vet. When neurologic symptoms are present, the prognosis is grave. Therefore, seeking treatment as soon as symptoms develop is crucial.
If you suspect your dog of having the virus, take them immediately to your vet for a proper diagnosis. The above symptoms don’t always signal distemper. To confirm a diagnosis, vets will perform lab tests, which may involve swabbing their eyelids or obtaining a urine or blood sample. The virus has symptoms close to leptospirosis, infectious canine hepatitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Your vet may order an immunofluorescent assay or reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR testing through the local lab to test for canine distemper.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper. The only option is to prevent reinfection or worsening symptoms. Care may include antibiotics to treat secondary pneumonia, parenteral nutrition, fluid therapy to correct dehydration, anti-nausea, and anti-seizure medication. Many medications prescribed by veterinarians are covered by pet insurance — find out what is (and isn’t) included in our insurance coverage guide.
The best way to prevent distemper is through a series of three distemper/parvo vaccines as a puppy and then an annual or three-year booster thereafter. Since there is no cure, it is best to prevent infection through vaccination.
Vaccinate your dog — Stay educated on puppy vaccinations and vaccinate your adult dog if they are unvaccinated.
Avoid contact with wild animals — If you live near or frequently spend time where other wildlife is present, keep your dog away from their presence. It may be hard to tell if a wild animal is infected, so it’s best to keep your distance.
Stay up to date on vaccinations — Distemper vaccinations also require a booster every one to three years, depending upon the type of vaccine used. Make sure you do not miss these routine boosters to keep building immunity within your dog. If you have a regular clinic or vet, they can send you vaccination reminders.
Distemper is caused by exposure to another infected animal.
Yes, distemper can lead to vomiting, paralysis, hyperkeratosis, copious eye and nasal discharge, and more.
Take them to your veterinarian for a diagnosis immediately. The earlier your dog is diagnosed, the sooner they can be treated and the better the prognosis.
Yes, a dog can survive after being diagnosed with distemper with the right supportive care. While the virus can be fatal, dogs who contract distemper are more likely to survive if they do not develop neurologic symptoms.
