Canine Distemper
What is Canine Distemper?
Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease caused by a virus (paramyxovirus) which attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervus systems of dogs. Although dogs are the most commonly affected, Canine Distemper is also seen in foxes, ferrets, mink and many other carnivores. These infected animals are often the cause of the spread of this disease to domesticated dogs.
At normal temperature the virus can remain active in infected tissue for several weeks, provided the infected source does not dry out, or become exposed to ultraviolet radiation (sun light). At below zero, the virus can remain active for several months. At temperatures of 32°C or greater, the Canine Distemper virus will be destroyed very quickly.
How can the Virus spread?
Canine Distemper is spread through bodily secretions (nasal fluid for example} The most common form of transmission is airborne. Dogs become infected by breathing in particles secreted by infected hosts. For several weeks after recovery, a dog will still carry the virus which can lead to further contamination if not properly quarantined.
What are the symptoms?
Upon contracting the virus, dogs often appear "normal" for several days. The initial symptoms of the disease are runny nose, water eyes and a sore throat. The dogs temperature will increase to approximately 103.5°F (39.7°C). Over the next couple of days the symptoms worsen with the tonsils becoming enlarged, and the dog developing diarrhea. After approximately four weeks of treatment the virus begins to affect the brain. The dog will start twitching which will gradually turn in to larger convulsions The convulsions normally become so frequent and violent, that euthanasia is often carried out at this stage.
Are all dogs at risk?
Yes. Puppies younger than 4 months of age, and dogs who have not received vaccination, are at the greatest risk of infection. However, all dogs are susceptible to the virus. Canine Distemper was at one time the leading cause of deaths in domesticated dogs. Due to understanding of the virus and the ability to treat secondary symptoms, Canine Distemper only become a concern in isolated outbreaks.
What is the treatment for Canine Distemper?
At this time, there is no cure for the actual virus which causes Canine Distemper.. Treatment mainly consists of controlling spread and severity of secondary ailments such as , vomiting, diarrhea and fluid discharge. In the later stages of canine distemper, the use of anti-consultant drugs may help to control twitches and spasms. Constant nursing care is needed to make the dog as comfortable as possible.
Is there anyway to prevent canine distemper?
Have your dog vaccinated!!! Pups should be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age, and re-vaccinated every 3-4 weeks until 16 months old. Adult dogs should be vaccinated every year. Like most disease, prevention is often the only viable solution. Be cautions of where you are taking your dog. Since the most common transmission of Canine Distemper is air born, dog parks, kennels, even grooming facilities can be ideal places for dogs to contract the virus. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and other carnivores are often the catalysts for outbreak. For this reason ALWAYS be cautions of wild animals. Never let your dog have contact with an unknown animal.
Ths website only provides BASIC information about canine distemper, your veterinarian is always your best source of health information. Consult your veterinarian for more information about Canine Distemper and its prevention.
For more great articles and tons of other great info visit our Dog forum, visit Ron's blog or visit our Pet blog
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:51:06 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT American space tourist blasts off in Soyuz rocket - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - A Soyuz spacecraft with two Americans and a Russian on board lifted off from Kazakhstan on Sunday for the international space station. Space Toilet Fixed – For Now Russia launches spacecraft with sixth space tourist Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:11:37 GMT ARM Holders Would Do Well to Shop Around Now - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Nancy Trejos The global financial crisis has affected virtually every aspect of personal finance, from mortgages to student loans to credit cards to retirement savings. Finance giants reportedly ordered to buy $40 bln of mortgage bonds ... Fannie, Freddie to Buy $40 Billion a Month of Troubled Assets Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:07:17 GMT McCain campaign's tone likened to George Wallace's - Newsday
Newsday - WASHINGTON - Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere segregationist Gov. McCain in 'hatred' war of words Obama thanks, jabs at McCain Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:27:11 GMT Japan says will tap FX reserve if IMF steps up bailout - Reuters
Reuters - WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Japan said on Saturday it is ready to offer a part of its $1 trillion foreign reserves to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if the multi-national lender is to support countries facing economic crisis. Video: IMF: Timing right for G7 IMF Calls for Aggressive Response to Crisis Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:32:02 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com DVDTOWN.com - By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Will 'Chihuahua' take a bite out of 'Body of Lies'? Body of Lies Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Many homers, and pitches, in Game 2 - MLB.com
MLB.com - By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Five hours and 27 minutes elapsed during Saturday's American League Championship Series Game 2, bookending the moments when Scott Kazmir threw the game's first pitch over home plate and BJ Upton popped its ... Up, up, and away Mike Timlin shoulders blame Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:22:57 GMT Amazon RSS Feed Generator |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the... Read More So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and... Read More There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its... Read More A poorly trained dog can embarrass its owner and offend... Read More Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be... Read More Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More You do clean your house don't you? Well you have... Read More It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More The aim of a Westie rescue centre such as the... Read More For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at... Read More Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More I know there are differing opinions on the subject of... Read More Which kind is your pet? The pooch who is the... Read More Anyone can put two dogs together and let them breed,... Read More Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
Adsense
websites
Is Your Dog Fat?
My Tips to Take Care of a New Dog
Keeping Discus Fish Disease Free
Oscar
Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 1 of 3
Mosquitoes Are a Hazard to Your Pets Health Too
Clicker Training For Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training
How to Make Your Pets Healthier and Happier
Five Powerful Reasons Why Owning A Pet Could Make You Live Longer
Crate Training Tips: How to Crate Train Your Dog
How To Avoid Bad Doggy Behavior, And Teach Your Puppy Some Manners
Using Dog Leash Training to Control Your Pooch
How To Set Up A Quarantine Tank For Tropical Fish
Get Educated Before Buying Your Pomeranian From A Dog Breeder
Top 15 Cat Quotations
Goldfish Tips - Keeping The Aquarium Clean
The Top 3 Tricks Horse Owners Can Use To Unspoil A Barn Spoiled Horse
Animal Communicator
Westie Rescue Centres
Using Electrolytes to Avoid Equine Dehydration
Buy Dog Travel Supplies Online
Vet Check - Well-Bird Check Up
Safety Tips for Moving With Pets
Finding A Reputable Dog Breeder
Crate Training Your Puppy or Dog
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Six Dog Training Tips to Modify Negative Behavior
Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort... Read More
Build A Better Mousetrap, And People Will Buy It
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
Clown Loaches
Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus Other Scientific Name(s): Cobitis macracanthus, Botia... Read More
The One Dog Trick That All Dogs Must Know - The Hand Shake Trick
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
Loyal Companions Promote Longevity
Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
Fur Isnt Such a Good Sunscreen
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
Why Build Your Own Reptile Cage?
When I first started my interest in reptiles I was... Read More
Thinking of Getting a Lhasa Apso Dog?
One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa... Read More
The Importance Of A Proper Correction
There are headstrong dogs that know too well that a... Read More
How to Deal With a Noisy Dog - Curing Uwanted and Excessive Barking
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More
A Look at Discount Dog Beds
Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More
Five Fast Facts About the Cavalier King Charlies Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you... Read More
Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More
So You Want To Own A Ferret?
You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and... Read More
Ten Most Popular Goldfish
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Life with the Rat Terriers
I am a happy owner of two rat terriers. They... Read More
Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
What You Should Know About Your Dogs Sleeping Habits
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Here?s a Way To Make Your Dog Love Its Dog Crate!
A dog crate is a necessity for your dog, through... Read More
Dealing With Canine Ringworm
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
What are Pug Puppies?
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and... Read More
The Optimum Cichlid Aquarium Set Up
The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise... Read More
Garbage-Raiding Dogs: One Simple Solution to the Problem
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
The Joy Of Having Puppies!
One of the greatest thrills for a little boy or... Read More
German Sheperds
People love big, protective and loving dogs and that's why... Read More
Pet |