Canine Distemper Virus: Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies

Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus. The canine distemper virus can affect wide variety of animals and if symptoms of distemper in dogs are noticed, they should not be ignored. Immediate treatment for distemper in dogs must be your priority.

Distemper in dogs can be compared to a kind of measles in humans. Puppies, sick and older dogs, whom both generally have lower immunity, are more prone to suffering from distemper in dogs. It mainly affects puppies, although it can also appear in elderly dogs, who will suffer more from distemper symptoms.

In theory, if we you have followed the correct dog vaccination schedule, likeliness of catching canine distemper virus is significantly lowered. Currently, there is a vaccine available to prevent canine distemper, but its effectiveness is not 100%. Immunosuppressed dogs, for example, are more vulnerable to the transmission of this disease, even when vaccinated. Good nutrition, quality caring and a stress-free life will certainly help your dog remain healthy and strong. For more, we recommend taking a look at our article where we tell you everything you need to know about vaccination schedule for puppies and dogs.

Distemper occurs when a healthy animal comes into contact with viral particles in the air, present in aerosol form. Viral particles form because of the -previous or present- presence of a sick animal.

All dogs are at risk of contracting canine distemper. However, those who are most at risk are dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper, and puppies who are less than four months old. Puppies who are breastfed get protection through their mother's milk (if their mother is vaccinated), but such protection is not 100% effective.

Canine distemper can also be transmitted in other ways such as through infected animal fluids or from the water and food they have consumed. The virus incubates for about 14 to 18 days in the dog´s body, then symptoms will gradually begin to appear.

Basically, all dogs are vulnerable to the distemper virus, although those who are vaccinated will be less likely to contract the disease^[1].

When one or more symptoms have appeared, distemper in dogs treatment is mandatory. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. A veterinarian will carry out the relevant tests and form a diagnosis accordingly. Thereafter, treatment begins, always under the supervision of an expert. Remember that the sooner canine distemper is diagnosed, the higher the chances are of survival.

Once a dog is infected, vaccine administration becomes ineffective. Canine distemper is incurable, but symptoms can be alleviated through treatment. This is in addition to avoiding dehydration and preventing the appearance of secondary infections. When necessary, a veterinarian may recommend euthanasia to avoid further suffering.

Treatment for canine distemper is usually presented in the form of antibiotics and vitamin supplements. Keeping your dog hydrated is of the utmost importance when treating canine distemper. For more, we recommend taking a look at our article homemade solution for dehydrated dogs.

Next, we will be highlighting some home remedies for canine distemper. It is essential to remember that these remedies do not substitute veterinary treatment. In addition, you should always consult your veterinarian before changing or adding anything to your dog’s diet or treatment.

• Animals that suffer from fever are immediately susceptible to dehydration. This is why if your dog has a fever, you need to make sure that it drinks enough water. If your dog refuses to drink water, consult your veterinarian about the possibility of administering liquid through syringe. In the case of veterinary hospitalization, it is also possible to prescribe fluid therapy.Cold compresses can also be useful in reducing fever in dogs. Wet a cloth, wring it out well and gently rub it on your dog’s belly. You can also wrap your dog up in a well drained towel. However, we only advise this aforementioned option in summer to avoid excessive decrease in body temperature. For more, take a look at our article where we discuss fever in dogs: symptoms and treatment.

• Is your dog with canine distemper not eating? Lack of appetite is a very common symptom of canine distemper. However, it is essential that we try to make sure our dog eats. In fact, canine distemper recovery depends on nutrition. In this case, we recommend offering your dog wet food, which is easier to digest and offers your dog a higher liquid intake. Give your dog heated wet food with warm water or broth (NO onion or salt). Offer your dog various food options to heighten appetite. Some foods we recommend giving your dog include shredded chicken and/or liver. For more about dogs not eating, consult our article on my dog won’t eat or drink.
• Coughing is often a serious symptom of canine distemper in dogs. It is important to treat this symptom effectively.Make sure to clean your home with only enzymatic products,removing traces of dust, dirt or organic matter. Avoid smoking around your dog. If possible, try to increase air humidity in your home with a humidifier. If you don’t have one, you can opt for taking your animal to the bathroom while you shower.If possible, when walking your dog, try and replace its collar with a harness to avoid trachea and larynx irritation. In addition, be sure to offer your dog a calm environment, as coughing in dogs can often cause heightened stress and anxiety. In addition, consult your veterinarian to administer antitussives.Read up about coughing in dogs in our article dog burping and coughing: is it normal?

• Vomiting is another common symptom of distemper in dogs. This disease commonly causes gastrointestinal infection in dogs, which results in damage to the dog’s stomach. If your dog has vomited, we recommend restricting food for a couple of hours giving its stomach and throat some time to recuperate. Has your dog with distemper been vomiting? If this is the case, we recommend offering your dog smaller food quantities every 4 hours. Opt rather for soft wet dog feed. You can also mix this feed with cooked rice or cooked skinless chicken (without bones or salt).

• Another consequence of gastritis in dogs derived from distemper, is diarrhea (with or without blood). As in the previous case, we advise restricting food intake for a few hours and opt for a soft diet for dogs with diarrhea.

• Tremors are very common in dogs with canine distemper. These attacks usually affect the extremities, but can also target the cranial area, resulting in excessive masticatory movements. These attacks can also appear when the dog is asleep. In serious cases, you may also notice that in addition to trembling, your dog may not be able to walk. If this is the case, DO NOT move your dog. Call your veterinarian immediately. For more, take a look at our article: why is my dog trembling and can’t walk?

• Breathing problems is a common symptom of canine distemper. Begin by cleaning your dog’s nasal discharges, which are usually green and purulent. Cleaning can be done with a gauze dampened in warm water. Hot food also promotes decongestion. Offer your dog a warm bowl of broth once a day (NO salt or onions). Make sure that the temperature of the broth is not too hot, avoiding burns. Is your dog struggling to breathe? For more take a look at our article: dog breathing difficulties.

• Eye secretions in dogs can be treated with antibiotics, always prescribed by professional. It is also important to remove eye gunk in dogs using a sterile gauze moistened in warm water. Better yet, opt rather for optic solution, sold in pharmacies. For more, take a look at how to clean a dog’s eyes.

The only proven way to prevent distemper is to vaccinate your dog against the disease. The canine distemper vaccine, as we’ve already mentioned, is not 100% effective. In addition, vaccinated puppies can occasionally get sick. This can occur specifically when the immunity offered through suckling, prevents the vaccine from taking effect and leaves the puppy unprotected.

The canine distemper vaccine should be given for the first time when the puppy is between 6 and 8 weeks old and then it will receive an annual booster. During dog pregnancy, you should be careful and consult a veterinarian before administering vaccinations as the antibodies can be transmitted to the puppies during lactation. Remember, if a dog has not yet been vaccinated, do not take it outside. ^[2].

For more about puppy care, we recommend taking a look at our article where we tell you everything you need to know about caring for puppies.

Canine distemper symptoms will affect different dogs in different ways. We must therefore make sure that our dog is always comfortable, stable and loved. In addition, there are some extra measure that can be taken when caring for a dog that has canine distemper, these include:

• Hydration: Ask your vet what are the most appropriate options. AnimalWised recommends plenty of water or homemade chicken broth (without salt or spices). If your pet does not want to drink, try helping it using a syringe without a needle.

• Nutrition: As in the case of liquids, your dog may not want to eat due to canine distemper discomfort. Give it premium canned food as it is much more appetizing than regular food; your dog will also feel pampered and this will help its recovery. In addition, wet food will also provide hydration.

• B complex vitamins: In the case of distemper in dogs, they will have a positive effect on the animal's muscles.

• Follow the advice given by your veterinarian: The canine distemper virus is difficult to cure, so remember it must be your priority to care for your dog and other pets that may live with you.

Is canine distemper zoonotic? No, canine distemper is not a zoonotic disease. There are some very rare cases where humans have caught the CDV infection, which causes no symptoms. However, if vaccinated against measles, humans are protected against both the canine distemper virus and the asymptomatic CDV infection.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Canine Distemper Virus: Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies, we recommend you visit our Viral diseases category.