Schnauzer Canine Distemper
Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, canine distemper is.....

"the greatest single disease threat to the world's dog population."

And although all dogs are at risk, puppies or those dogs with weakened immune systems have the highest risk of acquiring the disease.

Distemper is highly contagious and a serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and the nervous system of puppies and dogs. The virus, which can also affect other wildlife animals (coyotes, raccoons, wolves, skunks, foxes, etc) is spread through many ways.

Distemper is an airborne virus, and once an animal is infected, it continues to spread the virus through bodily secretions: saliva, urine, feces, or by launching disease vectors in the air through coughing and sneezing. Since the virus is so contagious, any puppy or dog suspected of having the virus should be quarantined until they can be taken to the vet for proper testing and diagnosis.

Symptoms of Distemper in Dogs

Veterinarian ExamThe most common symptoms of canine distemper are: nasal discharge, eye discharge, coughing, diarrhea, decrease in appetite, fever, and vomiting. Behavioral changes including lethargy, weakness, and depression occur.

As the disease progresses the virus can attack the nervous system causing twitching of the mouth and legs. In more severe cases seizures and paralysis. And some dogs develop a hardening of their foot pads, hence the nickname "hardpad disease".

Distemper is often fatal so any signs of you puppy or dog being sick warrants a trip to the vet for a proper examination, tests, and diagnosis.

Treatment of Distemper in Dogs

Treatment usually involves IV fluids to prevent dehydration, antibiotics to treat or prevent secondary infections, and anti-seizure medication for dogs exhibiting neurological signs. But these treatments are not cures but rather more supportive therapy. Even if a dog does recover from the disease, signs of the damage it caused may continue to be present throughout the dogs life (like involuntary muscle twitching or paralysis).

The fact of the matter is, there are excellent vaccines which have been developed to control and prevent the spread of canine distemper. But you have to vaccinate your puppy! Until your puppy has completed the series of vaccines needed to protect him follow your vet’s advice"

Don’t take your new puppy to pet shops, parks, doggy daycare, kennels, etc… as doing so could expose him to this highly contagious, life-threatening virus.

PetAlive Vi-Pro Plus 20g for Dogs Natural and effective help for canine distemper and viral infections. Vi-Pro Plus is used as an oral homeopathic vaccine to immunize your dog against viral infections and to treat and protect against Distemper infection during a known outbreak under veterinarian supervision

Don't wait until you need it. Consider buying pet insurance now.
2 really good plans to consider:

Embrace Pet Insurance is one of the nation's highest-rated pet insurance companies. You can use any Vet and plans cover genetic conditions. Get a free quote on-line now!

24PetWatch a leading provider of accident and illness insurance for dogs and cats. Several programs to choose the right coverage for your pet. Get a quote now.

Search Schnauzers-Rule.com

Custom Search

Go from Canine Distemper to Miniature Schnauzer Health

Related Topics:
★ Dog Vaccines
★ Signs of a Sick Dog
★ Canine Parvovirus

Schnauzers Rule Home|Disclosure| Sitemap| About| Contact Us| Privacy

© Copyright 2008-2011 Schnauzers-Rule.com | All Rights Reserved
Miniature Schnauzer Info

Copyrighted material may not be re-published without written permission.