Understanding Canine Distemper: A Comprehensive Guide

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease affecting dogs. It targets their respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, and can also affect wild animals like ferrets, wolves, and raccoons.

The virus spreads through airborne exposure and direct contact with fresh urine, blood, or saliva. Symptoms include high fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, and vomiting.

Distemper can lead to serious neurological complications such as seizures, paralysis, and involuntary muscle twitching, which may appear weeks after the initial infection.

Vaccination is crucial in prevention and typically starts in puppyhood. Isolating infected animals and maintaining a clean environment are also key to stopping the spread of the virus.

Diagnosis is often based on clinical signs and lab tests. There's no cure but treatment includes supportive care like fluids, antibiotics for secondary infections, and seizure control.

Distemper does not only affect domestic dogs. It poses a threat to endangered wildlife species like the Amur tiger, potentially disrupting entire ecosystems.

Dogs that survive distemper may have lasting immunity, but some suffer permanent damage to the nervous system. They can also shed the virus for months, posing a risk to other animals.