You can get distemper from a dog to a person. Symptoms of distemper in dogs and treatment at home: signs of distemper and danger to humans

Canine plague is rightfully considered the most serious viral disease. It affects all organs and systems of the animal, as a result of which the disease often ends in death. The virus is transmitted through contact between a healthy dog and a sick one; most often unvaccinated pets are susceptible to distemper. However, no matter how terrible the disease is, it can be eliminated in the early stages. The main thing is to identify the symptoms in time and begin treatment immediately. Let's look at the important aspects in order.

Symptoms of distemper in dogs

As mentioned earlier, canine plague is a serious disease with a variable incubation period. The disease proceeds unnoticed during the first 5 days and can last up to 3 weeks. The animal looks quite healthy, although it is already a carrier.
The viral infection appears gradually. First, the pet begins to quickly get tired, it develops apathy, sadness, loss of appetite and craving for water. These signs characterize the first stage of the disease; it is treatable in 90% of cases if the symptoms are identified in time.
In cases where the owner is so busy that he missed the depressed state of the dog, the plague continues to develop further. The transition to the second stage is caused by an increase in body temperature, conjunctivitis (discharge of pus from the eyes), diarrhea and vomiting. The dog's nose is stuffy and yellowish fluid is leaking from his sinuses.
The coat looks unkempt, its shine is lost, hairs fall out and no longer grow. The animal refuses food, but leans on water. He is afraid of the light, so he hides in a dark corner. After a certain time, paralysis of the limbs develops, the airways become blocked, and the heart cannot cope. The result is death.

Features of canine plague

Distemper can have different forms of dislocation; it affects the skin, nervous, pulmonary and intestinal areas. It is worth noting that each type does not manifest itself separately, all areas are affected together.

The duration of the disease and the stages of its development depend on a number of factors.

If the disease develops unnoticed, there may be no clinical signs at all. The dog will die after 1-2 days. The hyperacute form manifests itself in a complete refusal to eat, an increase in body temperature to 39 degrees. Coma sets in and the animal dies within 3 days.
In 20% of cases, acute plague can be cured. All of these symptoms are eliminated, but the dog’s body will not be able to function properly. The animal partially loses hearing, vision, and sense of smell, and mental disorders and nervous tics begin.
The plague can develop into a chronic disease that lasts for months. The animal gradually “fades away”; symptoms periodically appear and then disappear. Ultimately, the slow progression of the disease ends in death.
The disease does not spare any of the specific systems of the animal’s body. The dog jerks its limbs violently, often has seizures, and the brain, heart, and liver are affected.

Is plague transmitted from dog to dog?

If one or more dogs live in the house, the question becomes relevant: “Is the plague transmitted from one animal to another?” There is only one answer - yes, it is transmitted.

As mentioned earlier, plague is a viral infection spread by airborne droplets. That is, it is enough for one pet to lick or breathe on its fellow, and the latter will become infected (if he is not vaccinated).

Important!
If a healthy pet has close contact with an infected pet, it is already infected. Contact means feeding from a common bowl, playing, sleeping, and examining stool.

The owner himself can bring the plague into the apartment and infect the animal. The virus is found on outer clothing and shoes, and flies through the window with dust particles. Typically, infection occurs through the ears, nose and mouth. Once in the body, the pathogen affects the tissues, muscles, and blood of the dog.

Is plague transmitted from dog to person?

It is important to remember forever that a dog with distemper needs the help of its owner. You can safely begin treatment; the virus is not transmitted to humans.

Since carnivore plague is resistant to the external environment, it is necessary to carefully monitor the hygiene of the apartment. If there is an unvaccinated pet in the house, treat floors and shoes with antiseptic disinfectants.

A favorable outcome directly depends on the speed of the host’s response to the symptoms and their elimination. The sooner you start treatment, the better your dog's chances of recovery. Damage to the nervous system is considered the most dangerous. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian, who will develop therapy taking into account all complications.
Etiotropic therapy affects the plague pathogen itself. The serum is made using antibodies from dogs that have previously had the plague. Of all the anti-plague drugs available on the market, the drugs from Narvak and Biocenter are considered the most effective. The presented products have foreign analogues - “BIOvet” and “Merial”.
If we talk about the dose, then dogs up to 5 kg. 2 ml is injected. serum. In the case of larger pets - 5 ml. The drug is given once. If symptoms do not disappear, repeat the steps after 24 hours, observing the dosage. The use of drugs will give a good result only in the first stage of the disease.
During the course of distemper, the dog's immune system suffers greatly. In order for body functions to be maintained at the proper level, the animal must be given immunostimulants. They contain interferon, which suppresses the activity of the virus.
The pet also needs to be pierced with a calcium solution and vitamin B. You can purchase the appropriate medications at a veterinary or human pharmacy. Instructions are included, but it is better to consult a doctor.
In most cases, from the second stage of plague, the dog experiences an increase in body temperature. In this case, it is necessary to regularly monitor the indicators and give the pet antipyretic medications.
As stated earlier, plague affects the dog's respiratory tract. The animal coughs heavily and has difficulty getting oxygen. In this case, help your pet remove mucus from the lungs and bronchi using medication. Give him "Bromhexine" or "Mukaltin", the dose is prescribed by the veterinarian.
A dog with distemper notices purulent discharge from the eyes. Rinse them regularly with strong tea leaves and leave for at least half an hour. Purchase special eye drops for animals at a veterinary pharmacy.

Folk remedies for plague

Many people prefer to treat plague using traditional methods; they are no less effective. The complex is used in combination with antibiotics.

Egg and honey. Combine 1 chicken egg (raw) into a homogeneous mass, pour in 20 g. liquid honey, beat the mixture with a fork. Draw the mixture into the syringe after removing the needle. Open the animal's mouth, pour the mixture onto the root of the tongue so that the animal does not spit it out. The course lasts 2-3 days, it all depends on the speed of disappearance of symptoms and the dog’s immune system. The mixture should be infused 3 times a day at equal intervals. Make sure your dog always has warm drinking water.
Egg, honey, vodka. The recipe is considered the most “killer”, but it is suitable only in extreme cases. The animal must have strong immunity, otherwise the composition will act in the opposite direction. Combine 25 ml into one mass. vodka, 1 chicken egg, 20 gr. liquid fresh honey. Stir the ingredients with two forks, pour into the syringe, remove the needle. Open the dog's mouth and pour the serum onto the root of the tongue. The composition is given once (!) once a day, in no case more. The course lasts 2 days, the dog must be constantly fed with clean, warm water.
Medicinal plants. Reducing the level of intoxication is achieved by giving the dog a chamomile or St. John's wort decoction. To do this, combine 10 grams into one mass. each type of herb, pour 100 ml. boiling water, let it brew for 3 hours. Strain, pour in 50 ml. 1 time per day.

If your pet has nervous disorders, give him motherwort infusion. Preparing the product is quite simple: brew 15 g. plants in 100 ml. hot water, leave until partially cooled. Filter, pour 50 ml into the mouth 2 times a day.

The plague vaccine does not guarantee complete protection, but it does prevent infection by 99%. The first vaccination is carried out at the age of 1.5-2 months. After this, quarantine is maintained for about 3 weeks, then the manipulations are repeated.
For a month after vaccination, the puppy should not have contact with other animals. It is important to observe complete quarantine: wash floors 2 times a day, clean shoes and outerwear. Avoid drafts in the apartment, as the animal’s body fights the vaccine and the dog weakens.
After the first vaccination, the vaccination is repeated at 6 months, then the drug is injected once a year. The doctor puts appropriate notes in the veterinary passport with the name of the vaccine and the date of the procedure. Before the procedure, your pet must be dewormed.

As practice shows, canine plague can be cured in the early stages. It is important to understand that without the supervision of a veterinarian it will not be possible to carry out proper therapy. The specialist will select the appropriate treatment, taking into account the gender, age and immunity of the animal. Only timely noticed symptoms can save your pet’s life.

Video: how to treat distemper in dogs

Canine distemper is a deadly disease that even pets are at risk of contracting. The disease usually begins acutely. Symptoms of distemper in dogs indicate the development of pathologies of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and muscles. The final stage of the disease ends in death. To prevent the development of plague, vaccination is used. The chance of developing the disease in vaccinated dogs is reduced to zero.

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Distemper in dogs

Distemper of carnivores (Carré disease) is an acute contagious viral disease that begins acutely. Symptoms include fever, catarrh of the mucous membranes, damage to the skin and nervous system. In the wild, the disease occurs in ferrets, mink, jackals, wolves, foxes and hyenas. The causative agent of the disease is an RNA-containing virus of the paramyxovirus group. Infection occurs through the respiratory tract or by eating food. The plague virus enters the body and then, along with the bloodstream, spreads into organ tissue. Poor living conditions for your pet significantly increase the chances of infection. Puppies infected with distemper practically do not survive. But an adult dog has a significant chance of recovery after therapy.

Appearance of a sick dog

Causes of the disease

Carnivore plague is resistant to various physical and chemical factors. Comfortable conditions for her are a temperature of -25 degrees. The virus goes into suspended animation, in which it can survive for about 5 years. But at high temperatures, the microorganism quickly loses its ability to defeat.

Conditions for the death of the virus:

In an environment at a temperature of 38 degrees. Remains active for 14 days.
Boiling in water from 60 degrees. Dies within 30 minutes.
Exposure to a solution of 2% sodium hydroxide. Activity disappears after 1 hour.
A 1% formaldehyde solution destroys the virus in 3 hours.

Dogs most often get sick at a young age. The highest incidence rate occurs when the animal is between 3 and 12 months old. This is due to the weakening of the body due to changes during development. Puppies fed milk rarely get sick. With mother's milk, they are given antibodies that prevent the formation of plague. The disease occurs in dogs of any breed. The incidence period occurs in spring-autumn. The source of the disease is infected street dogs or cats, as well as their excretions.

Routes and sources of infection with distemper in dogs:

Contact with a carrier or infected material. A pet becomes infected on the street when interacting with stray animals. Dogs are prone to eating feces, which significantly increases the risk of disease. The virus can live up to 11 days in feces.
Outdoor feeders and drinking bowls for animals. A domestic dog may drink water from a container that infected animals have drunk from. The virus penetrates water along with saliva, where it remains active.
General bedding. Plague gets onto the fabric along with saliva. It retains its vital activity for several days, since saliva does not contain nutrients. This method of spreading the disease occurs in places where a pack of dogs live together. Puppies are in the main risk group.
Infection due to human fault. The distemper virus can be transmitted by humans through shoes.
Hunting dogs get sick when interacting with prey when catching it.

The first signs and symptoms of plague

The incubation period is 2-3 weeks. At this time the animal will feel normal. The disease has not yet fully developed, but the dog is already a carrier of the virus. After 2 weeks, the pet’s condition will begin to rapidly deteriorate.

The first signs of distemper in dogs:

temperature rise to 37-41 degrees;
weakening of reflexes;
chills;
the dog does not respond to the call, it can be found in a dark and quiet place;
mucus discharges from the nose.

In the coming days the pet will weaken. Symptoms of distemper in dogs begin to increase, and the picture of the disease expands. A person should not be afraid of getting distemper, since this virus is not transmitted to people. Nevertheless, the pathology in its course is very similar to rabies. When the first symptoms appear, children should be protected from contact with the animal, and adults should only touch with gloves.

General symptoms of pathology:

Lethargy and depression. The dog will refuse to play and go outside. The animal appears exhausted, its head is lowered. Prefers to be in a lying position and sleeps most of the time.
Decreased appetite and vomiting. The pet refuses any food. Food intake is reduced to 1 time every 1-2 days. Due to intoxication, vomiting is observed after eating. The animal will not eat again, even if vomiting and complete emptying of the stomach occur.
Redness of the eyes. The dog will begin to squint because the rays of light cause discomfort.
Dyspeptic disorders. There is a disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. Constipation is common.
Increased mucus from nose and eyes. It takes on a cloudy and tugging character. The eyes also begin to secrete mucus. The dog's eyes will stick together and the fur around it will get wet.
Fear of light. Clearly indicates damage to the nervous system. The dog is afraid of any source of light. She hides in the darkest corner of the room and hides her muzzle.

The appearance of seizures and paralysis indicates serious pathological processes in the nervous system. It is extremely rare to save a dog in this condition. Mortality due to paralysis is 90% of all cases.

Signs of respiratory plague

Forms of plague

The course of the disease can be acute, fulminant or chronic. Pets who have had distemper often suffer from complications. They lose hearing, smell and vision. Nervous disorders appear, as a result of which the psycho-emotional state of the animal becomes unstable.

Forms of distemper in dogs:

1. Pulmonary. Develops when the virus accumulates in the respiratory tract and lungs. The main sign of the development of pathology is fever and cough. The animal refuses food, but begins to drink a lot. As the disease progresses, gastrointestinal disorders occur. Diarrhea and vomiting appear. Purulent mucus discharges from the eyes and nose.
2. Intestinal. Characteristic signs are the presence of vomiting and yellowish diarrhea with a specific odor. Sometimes clots of blood and undigested food are visible in it. A white coating appears on the tongue, and dark spots appear on the teeth. The animal becomes very weak due to the lack of food. Periodic loss of consciousness is observed.
3. Skin. It has the mildest course and a favorable prognosis. A rash in the form of blisters appears on the body, paw pads, ears and nose, which gradually turn into ulcers. Various microorganisms penetrate into them, which leads to inflammatory processes. Usually body temperature is normal, but in puppies it rises to insignificant levels. The animal experiences pain due to the presence of ulcers on the skin, so you must touch it carefully.
4. Nervous form. Appears in the absence of proper treatment. Manifested by nervous tics and twitching. The dog becomes irritable and aggressive. She refuses food, but drinks water. Subsequently, paralysis of the hind limbs, seizure and death occurs. The animal dies due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles and heart.

Certain symptoms of distemper in dogs will be present depending on the course of the disease:

1. Spicy. All signs of the disease are present. It develops over 2-3 weeks and lasts until death or the disease becomes chronic.
2. Chronic. Symptoms of distemper in dogs occur in periods of exacerbation and remission. The disease may remain in this stage for several months.
3. Lightning fast. There are no obvious clinical signs. Mortality occurs within 1 day.

Distemper can be distinguished from rabies by the characteristic behavior of the animal. People with canine distemper tend to drink plenty of water. While dogs with rabies refuse fluids.

Is plague dangerous for humans?

Unlike rabies, canine distemper is not contagious to humans.. This greatly simplifies the treatment process. A person cannot become infected from a dog, but the opposite often happens. People can be carriers of the virus - it reaches a person after contact with a sick animal. In this case, the virus does not penetrate the body, but is located on clothes, shoes, skin or under nails. It is impossible to determine whether a person is a carrier of the distemper virus, which is why it is so important to maintain hygiene.

Even though a sick dog is not contagious to humans, it still poses a threat. During the period of illness, the animal becomes aggressive. This occurs not only due to damage to the nervous system, but also due to the instinct of self-defense.

Treatment

Treatment of distemper in dogs is complex. There are currently no drugs against the canine distemper virus. Therefore, symptomatic and antibacterial therapy is used:

Means	Drug and benefits
Solutions for injections	Prescribed 40% methenamine 2 ml, 10% calcium gluconate 2 ml, 40% glucose 4 ml, 1% diphenhydramine 1 ml, 5% ascorbic acid. Solutions help reduce body intoxication and reduce body temperature. The course of treatment is at least 10 injections
To prevent seizures and paralysis	Prozerin 0.05% 1 ml subcutaneously from 10 days. In severe cases, 1% strychnine solution
Reduced intracranial pressure	Intramuscularly 25% magnesium sulfate 1-5 ml for 7 days. Furosemide 0.1-1 mg tablets 2 tablets
Decreased skeletal muscle tone	Mydocalm 1-2 ml or 0.5-0.72 g tablets 2-3 times a day
Solutions to relieve the nervous system	2.5% chlorpromazine is administered intramuscularly. If possible, sodium barbital should be given.
Reduced excitability	Phenobarbital in powder form, benzonal, glutamic or folic acid are used. The course of treatment is 3 weeks. For 10 days, a 1% solution of novocaine is administered, 0.5 ml per kg of dog weight.
Suppressing bacterial infection	Tetracycline antibiotics such as Levomycetin, Norsulfazole, Streptomycin or Kefzol are prescribed.
For epilepsy	Finlepsin, Pagluferal-2 are used. Since the drugs have side effects, the dosage is prescribed by the doctor based on the dog’s weight and breed.
Application of serum	Allows you to create artificial non-long-term immunity against plague
Vitamin therapy	A complex of vitamins is used, which includes elements B, B1, B6 and B12. Their effectiveness increases when combined with Panthenol and Nicotinamide

An important component of therapy is diet. It is necessary to feed a dog with distemper foods rich in protein. It is highly not recommended to give your animal any kind of cereal. Since dogs are carnivores, they need animal proteins. Even fish is extremely rare in the natural diet.

Diet for sick dogs:

minced beef or pork;
shredded chicken breast;
boiled and raw eggs;
cheese, kefir, cottage cheese;
add a small amount of grated vegetables to the minced meat.

Dairy products and vegetables will ease the work of the gastrointestinal tract. All food should be crushed so that the dog does not need to chew it. The concentration of vegetables in food should be minimal. They are present there as fiber that is beneficial for the intestines, but not the main food. Sometimes the dog is not able to eat on its own, so it will have to be fed. If the animal is not paralyzed, then there will be no problems with the swallowing reflex. The food should be served as minced meat with a little added water. Otherwise, the animal may choke.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of distemper in dogs with folk remedies at home should be agreed with a doctor. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited, since the disease is difficult to recognize and differentiate. Carnivore plague is a serious viral disease that cannot be cured using folk remedies. Nevertheless, a recipe based on vodka shows good results in the fight against the disease.

Treatment with vodka:

take half a glass of vodka and add 1 raw egg and a teaspoon of honey to it;
mix everything until smooth;
the product should be fluid so that it can be easily poured in by douching.

This recipe allows you to treat the symptoms of distemper in dogs, but not the cause of the disease itself. The mixture helps boost immunity, but it is not recommended to give it to puppies.

Vaccination

To vaccinate dogs against distemper, drugs are used that create lasting immunity lasting 1 year. In order to prevent the disease, it is recommended to vaccinate bitches before breeding. The following drugs are used for vaccination:

KF-668;
Vakchum;
Hexadog;
Pentodog;
Vanguard;
Canvak.

Vaccination is carried out in two stages. First, the drug is administered, and then the body's reaction is monitored. If no negative effects are observed within 2 weeks, then the vaccine is re-administered. After the second injection, immunity is formed, which reliably prevents infection. Puppies under 6 months and pregnant bitches are not vaccinated. It is also not recommended to vaccinate older dogs. A vaccinated animal will not become infected with the virus, but the vaccine is not a treatment for pets who are already sick.

Carnivore plague is one of the most dangerous viral pathologies. The disease affects all systems of the animal and is often fatal. Despite the high percentage of deaths, in the early stages the disease is treatable. The pathogenesis of distemper in dogs, symptoms and progressive methods of treatment are discussed in the article.

Canine distemper is a virus that affects predators and pets. Occurs against a background of fever, pneumonia, inflammation of the mucous membranes and damage to the central nervous system. Many animals are susceptible to the disease, from wolves and foxes to ferrets and dogs. Young animals that have reached 8 weeks of age are most susceptible to pathology. Peak activity occurs in spring and autumn.

It is believed that terriers and mongrel dogs have some resistance to the disease. Shepherd dogs, huskies, poodles and Pekingese are at risk. If a bitch suffered from distemper during childbirth and lactation, the puppies develop immunity to the virus.

Varieties of plague

In Russia, canine distemper is one of the TOP 5 most common infectious diseases found among dogs. This is due to a large percentage of homeless animals and a low level of vaccination.

Depending on the characteristics of the manifestation, several types of pathology are distinguished:

acute;
chronic;
typical;
hyperacute;
lightning;
atypical.

In addition, carnivore plague has several varieties, depending on its location: cutaneous, nervous, pulmonary, intestinal and mixed. Sometimes distemper occurs, characterized by callousness of the paw pads. Due to the fact that brain cells die in the nervous form, it is considered the most dangerous.

The causative agent of the disease

The disease occurs after one of the representatives of paramyxoviruses enters the animal’s body. It is genetically similar to the infectious agents human measles and rinderpest.

The pathogen is resistant to environmental influences: when exposed to direct sunlight, it is active for up to 14 hours.

Table 1. Virus behavior under different temperature conditions

Routes of infection

Wild carnivores and, less commonly, domestic pets are considered carriers of the virus. Distemper is transmitted primarily in 2 ways: oral and respiratory.

The main routes of transmission of the disease:

From a sick individual to a healthy one.
Upon contact with infected things.
During sexual intercourse.
When consuming contaminated foods or liquids.

The main source of infection is considered to be dogs that are sick or have suffered pathology. The infection penetrates into the external environment along with feces and purulent discharge.

The incubation period is from 3 days to 1 week. Sometimes it drags on for up to several months.

Since all systems of the body are affected, plague belongs to the category of multisystem diseases.

Table 2. Explanations of common questions regarding routes of infection with plague

Question	Answer
Can a cat infect a dog?	The disease is not transmitted from cats to dogs. Distemper in cats and dogs are different pathologies with different pathogens. In cats it is a parvovirus, and in dogs it is a representative of paramyxoviruses.
Can a vaccinated dog get sick?	With timely vaccination, the pet is resistant to the virus. Or rather, the infection can enter the body, but the inoculated antibodies will neutralize the pathology. If the injection is given to an infected animal that has not yet shown symptoms, the dog will become ill.
Is it transmitted from dog to dog?	Yes, it is transmitted. This is the most common method of infection among dogs.
Is it dangerous for humans?	A person cannot become infected with distemper from a dog.

Symptoms of the disease

Canine plague has a variety of clinical manifestations, depending on the pathogenicity of the infection and the physiological characteristics of the dog. At the initial stage, the mucous membranes are damaged, which is fraught with acute inflammation and fever.

Table 3. Main symptoms

Indicator	Manifestations
Body temperature	After infection, the temperature increases to 40 degrees and then stabilizes. In puppies up to 15 days old, the pathology often occurs without an increase in temperature.
Emotional state	Apathy, loss of reflexes and appetite. The dog spends all its time in a dark place and does not respond to the owner’s commands.
Chair	The consistency of the stool is liquid, with bloody inclusions. Painted yellow.
Hair condition	The coat becomes dull and looks disheveled.
Mucous	They swell, in some places redness and purulent discharge are observed. After 3 days, mucus partially clogs the eyelids and nostrils. The skin in the nose area becomes crusty.
Breath	Constricted, the animal often sniffles. In large breeds, the breathing rate is from 40 to 60 breaths per minute, in small breeds - from 60 to 80.
Pulse	The pulse rate in large dogs is from 100 to 130 beats per minute, in small dogs it is from 130 to 170.

Pulmonary form

With this type, the upper and lower respiratory tract are damaged.

Symptoms:

cough;
purulent discharge;
diarrhea;
blockage of the nasal passages;
inflammation of the tonsils.

Against the background of plague, tracheitis, bronchitis and pneumonia develop.

Intestinal form

It is characterized by severe damage to the digestive system, resulting in the formation of acute gastroenteritis.

Symptoms:

fainting;
white coating on the tongue;
feeling of thirst;
refusal to eat;
diarrhea;
yellow feces with bloody spots;
dehydration.

If the virus attacks your pet during the period of teeth change, small dents and spots appear on the tooth enamel.

Cutaneous form

In addition to the general manifestations characteristic of the disease, red spots appear on the dog’s body. Redness is observed mainly on the thighs, abdomen and ears.

Symptoms:

the formation of purulent blisters at the site of the spots;
body temperature does not increase;
the physical condition of the animal is satisfactory.

The cutaneous variety is considered the mildest form of canine plague.

Nervous form

The most dangerous species. The central nervous system is affected, which often leads to irreversible consequences. At the first stage of infection, the animal constantly barks and is in an excited state. With timely treatment, nervous symptoms weaken. If the disease is neglected, seizures can last a lifetime.

Symptoms:

increased body temperature;
aggressive behavior;
lameness;
irritability;
paralysis;
limb spasms;
epileptic seizures.

If the cardiac or respiratory muscles are paralyzed, the animal dies.

Mixed form

The most common type of plague. This variety is characterized by the symptoms of all of the listed forms. A very rare variant of this pathology occurs in which the animal's finger pads harden. One of the features of this form is the clicking sounds when the dog walks. Depending on the intensity of the manifestations, several types of plague are distinguished.

Table 4. Varieties of plague

Type of pathology	Clinical picture
Chronic	The disease is characterized by alternating phases of deterioration and improvement. Duration - up to 4 years.
Acute	Duration - from 2 to 4 weeks. Body temperature from 39.5 to 41 degrees lasts up to 14 days.
Super acute	The development of the disease takes only 3 days. High fever and complete loss of appetite lead to a comatose state ending in death.
Lightning fast	No symptoms. The animal dies within 24 hours.
Typical	The pathology appears several weeks after infection. With timely treatment, recovery is possible.
Atypical	The infection does not manifest itself in any way for 3-4 weeks. When the virus attacks the nervous system, the dog dies.

What you need to know about plague

Since the disease is one of the 5 most common, owners of four-legged pets should study its features:

The largest percentage of infected animals is observed in autumn and spring.
Since the infection does not die even at -25 o C, the dog can also get sick in winter.
In summer, pets get sick less often, because... Paramyxoviruses weaken at temperatures above 38 o C.
At risk are puppies over 3 months old.
In the first 12 weeks of life, mother's milk protects pets.
During the period of teeth change and puberty, dogs are very sensitive to the virus.
If a pet has suffered from canine distemper, it cannot become infected again.

After treatment for 2 months, the dog is a carrier of the infection.

Video - Distemper in dogs

Diagnosis of the disease

If a differential diagnosis method is used, the veterinarian must exclude diseases similar in clinical manifestations to distemper:

adenoviral pathologies;
leptospirosis;
enteritis;
Aujeszky's disease;
food poisoning.

In addition, much attention is paid to collecting anamnesis. During the examination, the veterinarian must ask the animal owner the following points:

vaccinations performed - serum composition and timing;
possible sources of infection;
nuances of maintenance, feeding and care.

Due to the fact that the virus manifests itself in many forms, making a diagnosis without laboratory tests is difficult.

Disease prognosis

acute 80%;
ultra-acute 90%;
lightning fast 100%.

The chronic type of plague can be cured with timely treatment. However, some body systems cannot be fully restored.

To keep your dog healthy, you need to constantly carry out preventive examinations at the veterinary clinic, and follow the basic rules for keeping and feeding your pet.

Treatment of canine distemper

Since the pathology affects all vital organs, it refers to multisystem diseases. Complex therapy is used using a large number of medications and immunological serum.

Basic principles of treatment:

maintaining general tone;
relief of symptoms;
combating dehydration;
prevention of bacterial activity.

"Giskan-5" - an effective serum against canine distemper

Treatment is most effective in the early stages of the disease.

Table 5. Treatment of distemper in dogs

Direction of drug treatment	Prescribed drugs
General therapy	Administration of the following drugs intravenously: Ringer's solution; glucose; saline solution The duration of the course is 10 days.
Maintenance therapy	Subcutaneous injections of vitamin B complex.
Destruction of the pathogen	mono-serum aimed at destroying paramyxovirus; polyvalent serums against adenoviral infections and enteritis. Administration of drugs is possible up to 3 times.
For paresis	Subcutaneous injections "Prozerin". Duration - 10 days.
To reduce muscle tone	Dragee "Mydocalm" 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.
To normalize the emotional state	2.5% solution of “Aminazine”; "Folic acid"; "Barbital sodium"; "Benzonal". The duration of the course is 21 days. A 1% solution of Novocaine is also prescribed subcutaneously, 0.5 ml per kilogram of the pet’s weight for 10 days.
For epilepsy	"Finlepsin"; "Pagluferal-2". The duration of therapy is 6 weeks according to the dosage indicated in the instructions.
Against bacterial infections	"Gentamicin"; "Norsulfazole"; "Levomycetin"; "Streptomycin". The duration of the course and dosage are determined by the attending veterinarian.
To support immunity	"Galavit"; "Polyoxidonium"; "Lykopid"; "Vegetan." It is necessary to take medications until complete recovery.

Crusts should not be allowed to form on the mucous membranes. In order to prevent the development of inflammatory processes, the following drugs are suitable:

"Tsiprovet";
"Lacrican";
"Tetracycline ointment."

Eyes and nostrils are treated 2 times a day. If the oral mucosa is damaged, use the Furacilin solution.

Home therapy

Completing a therapeutic course at home is possible only if you have a treatment regimen approved by a veterinarian and skills in administering IVs and injections.

Basic rules of care:

The pet is placed in a separate darkened room, without drafts, with moderate humidity.
Walking is prohibited.
The chest is wrapped in woolen cloth.
Representatives of smooth-haired breeds are given mustard plasters for 5 days.
For dogs with a lot of hair, bandages based on hot sand or salt are suitable.
2 times a day it is necessary to warm up the limbs in water at a temperature of about 60°C. You can add a small amount of mustard to the bowl of liquid. This will enhance the thermal effect.

Infrared lamps are effective for deep heating.

Traditional methods

Since distemper is a highly contagious disease, using remedies from a home medicine cabinet is not effective. Folk remedies will only help as maintenance therapy.

Popular recipes:

1. Herbal decoctions. The following plants are used:

motherwort;
flax seed;
St. John's wort;
horse sorrel;
serpentine rhizome;
bird cherry;
marshmallow root;
swamp grass;
blueberries;
succession;
St. John's wort;
sage leaves;
chaga rhizomes;
oak bark;
oregano;
chamomile;
cinquefoil erect.

These plants have various therapeutic effects - from astringents to anti-inflammatory. Depending on the symptoms present, a remedy is selected from the list and the dog is given 200 ml per day until complete recovery.

2. A mixture of eggs and honey. Soften 1 raw chicken egg and combine with 20 g of honey. Give to the animal several times a day for 3 days.

3. A mixture of vodka, eggs and honey. 1 tbsp. alcoholic beverage mixed with 1 tbsp. honey and 1 yolk. Pour several grams into the animal's mouth 3 times a day for 4 days.

Most experts agree that distemper should not be treated with alcohol-containing liquids. Alcohol destroys mucous membranes, reduces the body's protective functions and leads to disruption of cellular metabolism and dehydration.

Medical nutrition

Infected pets are prescribed dietary feeding. It is advisable not to give food to the animal for the first 12 hours. Food is replaced with water and rehydration solutions.

General rules:

The first 10 days - beef broth.
From day 2, give 1 raw egg every day.
On day 3, add rice porridge with the addition of 2 tbsp. minced meat.
On day 4, you can diversify the menu with low-fat kefir or cottage cheese.

The duration of therapeutic nutrition is at least 10 days.

Prevention of plague

Prevention of the disease is carried out using a special serum. The vaccine introduces the pet’s body to viral agents, as a result of which antibodies are formed in the blood. They quickly recognize the virus and kill it before symptoms appear.

Basic preventive measures:

Before the injection is administered, the puppy is dewormed.
The first vaccine is at 2 months.
The next vaccinations are given at 6 and 12 months.
The drugs used are “Hexadog”, “Vaccidog-combi”, “EPM”, “Bivirovac”, “Gexakanivac”, “Dipentavak”, “Kanvak”, “Vladivak”, “Vakchum”, “Multikan-1”.
The doctor puts a mark on the vaccination in the dog’s passport.
For 4 weeks after the injection, the pet is prohibited from contacting other animals.

If you plan to participate in exhibitions, vaccination is done 1 month before the event.

The canine distemper vaccine does not provide complete protection, but it prevents infection in 99% of cases.

Distemper is one of the most dangerous pathologies among four-legged pets. By analogy with rabies and enteritis, in most cases the disease is fatal. To eliminate such situations, it is necessary to responsibly care for, maintain and feed the animal and avoid contact with infected dogs.

One of the most serious diseases in dogs is distemper, scientifically known as Kare's disease.

The development of the disease is based on a virus; you can become infected with it in several ways. Puppies with distemper rarely survive; adult dogs have a better chance of making a full recovery.

An animal that has recovered from distemper remains immune to the disease for almost the rest of its life.

Main causes of canine distemper

The causative agent of distemper in dogs is a virus belonging to the group of paramyxoviruses.

A dog can become infected with the pathogen through the digestive system and respiratory system.. Having penetrated the body, the virus begins to quickly spread along with the bloodstream throughout the body and settles in almost all organs and tissues.

How is distemper transmitted in dogs?

A sick dog releases a dangerous pathogen with saliva, feces, urine, mucous secretion from the eyes. The virus is also found in epithelial, dead skin cells.

In connection with this, we can highlight several possible sources of infection:

Sick animals. In addition to domestic dogs, these can be ferrets, hyenas, wolves, jackals, minks, and foxes.
Feeders, bedding.
Housing facilities – enclosures, booths.
The virus can be transmitted into the home by humans on shoes or clothes.

After direct infection, a latent period continues for several days, during which the virus actively multiplies in the body, but there are still no external symptoms of the disease. The incubation period lasts on average 5-7 days, but can increase to three weeks, or shorten to two days.

Kare's disease is not a seasonal disease; the virus survives well at temperatures down to minus 24 degrees. At the same time, a pattern has been identified in which a larger percentage of dogs with distemper are registered in the spring or autumn.

Despite the fact that during the incubation period the dog looks absolutely healthy, it is already a source of infection. The distemper virus can also be excreted from the dog's body for several weeks after its successful recovery.

The risk group includes weakened animals that do not receive adequate nutrition, puppies from one month to a year, and stray animals. Puppies up to two months old, feeding on the milk of a mother who has suffered from the disease, have their own immunity and therefore very rarely become infected from a sick relative.

The first signs of canine distemper

Distemper is often ignored in the first days of the disease, since the symptoms are not pronounced and The first signs of plague disease include:

Small lethargy of the animal and oppression.
Decreased appetite, sometimes vomiting.
Redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Mucus discharge from the nose and eyes.
Not pronounced dyspeptic disorders.
Visible in most dogs tousled fur.
Photophobia– the dog hides from bright sources of light, often hides in a corner.

These signs have varying degrees of severity. In the first two days in animals The temperature rises to almost 40 degrees, it lasts up to three days. Adult dogs with strong immunity can cope with the disease on their own, and all its signs undergo reverse changes. Weakened animals and puppies continue to get sick, and their condition begins to deteriorate sharply.

How does plague manifest itself, forms of the disease

Based on clinical manifestations, several forms of plague are distinguished, but they occur in isolation from each other only in very rare cases.

Pulmonary form Distemper develops when the virus accumulates and develops in the respiratory tract. The main features of this form are considered to be , addition of cough. The animal refuses food, but drinks a lot. Later joins diarrhea and vomiting, purulent discharge from the eyes and nose.
Intestinal form characterized the appearance of vomiting and a yellowish tint with a specific, unpleasant odor. A whitish coating is noticeable on the tongue, and dark spots appear on the enamel of the teeth. The animal is severely weakened, refuses food and may periodically lose consciousness.
Cutaneous form– the easiest and most favorable for the further course of the disease. The dog appears on the body, paw pads, nose, ears small rashes that later develop into ulcers. Secondary bacteria can get into the cracks in the body, and then inflammation develops, causing great anxiety and severe pain to the dog. If treatment is not started on time, the animal dies from infection and exhaustion.
Nervous form. It is believed that all others pass into this form at the end of the disease if there is no treatment for the disease. Such a plague appears nervous tics, twitching. The dog becomes extremely irritable and aggressive, drinks a lot. In the last stages there is paralysis of the hind limbs, epileptic seizures. Death occurs when the respiratory muscles and heart muscles are paralyzed.

A rare form of the disease is predominantly hardening of paw pads.

This disease is almost not accompanied by fever; signs of pulmonary and intestinal disorders may be present. When a dog runs along the floor, characteristic clicking sounds are heard.

The disease continues with the classic version of its course up to one month.

Course of the disease

Canine distemper can occur lightning fast, acute or be chronic disease.

Lightning current characterized by the absence of obvious clinical signs of disease and the death of the animal within one day.
Ultra-acute form Distemper is manifested by a sharp rise in temperature and refusal to eat. The dog falls into a coma and dies within 2-3 days.
At acute form disease, all the signs of plague are present - fever, lethargy, suppressed reflexes, dyspeptic disorders, photophobia. Conjunctivitis and rhinitis develop.
Chronic form The disease can last for several months with periods of exacerbation and subsidence of the vital activity of the virus.

Damage to the nervous system is considered an extremely unfavorable prognosis - when epileptic seizures, paresis and paralysis occur, in almost 90% of cases the sick dog dies.

Dogs that have suffered distemper often remain handicapped. Their hearing, smell and vision may suffer, and nervous disorders may appear. Some animals have mental disorders.

How to cure a dog from distemper

If you suspect that your pet is developing distemper, then the only correct solution would be call the veterinarian to the house.

Specific drugs for distemper for dogs aimed at destroying the virus have not yet been developed.

The veterinarian prescribes complex therapy, based on the condition of the dog, the presence of leading signs of the disease. It is also important to use drugs aimed at increasing the animal’s immunity.

A sick dog is prescribed the following solutions:

40% methenamine.
40% Glucose.
Calcium gluconate.
Isotonic solution.
Diphenhydramine.
Ascorbic acid solution.

To prevent paresis, Prozerin is prescribed, and Mydocalm is prescribed to reduce muscle tone. For increased excitability, phenobarbital and glutamic acid are prescribed. In case of development of epileptic seizures, Finlipsin is prescribed.

It is highly undesirable to self-medicate. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving any medications!

For the cutaneous form, the use of antibacterial therapy is indicated. The dosage of all medications is selected based on the dog’s weight, treatment should continue throughout the course of the disease. Immunostimulants and vitamin injections increase immunity.

Any ailment of your pet should not be left to chance. and our article will tell you how to feed her correctly.

The dog owner needs to create the following conditions for recovery:

The room should be warm and dry and without drafts.
Necessary darken light sources, as dogs develop photophobia.
Necessary constantly remove discharge from the eyes and nose, treat skin ulcers with disinfectant solutions.
Food should be easily digestible. Mostly the dog should be fed liquid porridges and soups; the diet must include finely chopped meat. Twice a week they give raw eggs, cottage cheese, kefir.

Traditional methods of treatment

Alternative treatment methods should only be used in combination with the main treatment prescribed by a veterinarian. Decoctions of herbs - chamomile, St. John's wort - help remove toxins from the body. Motherwort decoction calms the nervous system and prevents the development of severe symptoms.

Treatment of plague with vodka

Some dog breeders successfully use a solution consisting of half a glass of vodka, one egg and a teaspoon of honey. The prepared liquid is administered from a syringe.

Need to know that This method of treatment only helps if the dog has a strong immune system., and the symptoms of the disease are not clearly expressed. The chances of recovery increase many times over if a qualified veterinarian prescribes therapy immediately when a viral disease is suspected.

Prevention of plague, vaccination

The only way to prevent the disease is considered vaccination.

The first vaccination is given to puppies at the age of three months, then comes revaccination. The vaccination is usually well tolerated; minor symptoms of intestinal distress may occur.

Preventive measures also include keeping dogs clean, wiping their paws after walks, and periodically changing and washing bedding. Good, nutritious nutrition is also the key to a lower risk of contracting viral diseases.

An acute viral disease with a high mortality rate, known as canine distemper, Carré's disease or canine distemper, has been the scourge of dog breeders and their pets since the domestication of the latter.

Which dogs are at risk?

In Russia, infectious bluetongue (febris catarrhalis infectiosa) first appeared in Crimea (1762), which is why it was called the Crimean disease. In 1905, the viral nature of the disease, accompanied by fever, damage to the central nervous system, pneumonia, catarrh of the mucous membranes and skin rash, was proven by the French researcher Carré.

Both adult and young dogs can become infected with distemper, but the most dangerous age is considered to be from 2 to 5 months. Puppies born from bitches who have been vaccinated or have naturally recovered from distemper almost never get sick. Puppies of suckling age also rarely get sick, unless they are poorly maintained/fed. Colostral immunity protects the brood for about a couple of weeks after weaning, after which vaccination is required.

This is interesting! Susceptibility to the virus is also determined by breed. Less resilient breeds include domesticated breeds, including toy dogs, South Russian/German Shepherd and Siberian Laika. Terriers and boxers are the most resilient.

In addition, vitamin deficiency, helminthic infestation, unhealthy food, lack of exercise, damp cold weather and related breeding contribute to infection.

Virus resistance

The canine distemper virus, like a typical paramyxovirus, contains ribonucleic acid and is resistant to many physicochemical factors. At sub-zero temperatures it can retain its virulent properties for 5 years.

The virus lives in the organs of dead animals for up to six months, in the blood for up to 3 months, and in nasal secretions for about 2 months. Some physical factors and simple disinfectants destroy the virus:

sun rays and formalin/phenol solutions (0.1–0.5%) – after a few hours;
2% sodium hydroxide solution – in 60 minutes;
ultraviolet irradiation or 1% Lysol solution - for 30 minutes;
heating to 60 °C – in 30 minutes.

When boiled, the pathogen dies instantly.

Routes of infection

The reservoir of the canine distemper virus is wild carnivores and stray animals, and the source of the pathogen is sick and recovered dogs, as well as those in the incubation period. The virus is released from the body through sneezing and coughing (with saliva and nasal/eye discharge), feces, urine and dead skin particles. The dog acts as a virus carrier for up to 2–3 months.

Important! The virus enters the body through the respiratory tract (for example, by sniffing) or through the digestive tract. Not long ago, a vertical method of infection was also proven, when the distemper virus is transmitted to offspring through the placenta of an infected bitch.

The pathogen settles on dog bedding, muzzles, grooming items, as well as on the owner’s clothes and shoes. With the onset of sexual heat, the chance of catching canine distemper increases sharply. The morbidity rate for canine plague is at least 70–100%, and the mortality rate (depending on the form of the disease) ranges from 25–75%.

Symptoms of distemper in dogs

The virus, entering the body, first reaches the regional lymph nodes, then enters the blood and causes fever. Next, the pathogen penetrates the internal organs and in parallel affects the central nervous system, leading to serious problems with digestion and breathing.

The latent period of the disease (from infection to initial symptoms) takes from 3 to 21 days. At this time, the dog looks quite healthy, but is already capable of infecting other dogs. Smoothed symptoms make it extremely difficult to diagnose and determine the date of plague infection.

The first signs of the disease:

mild depression, lethargy and fatigue;
redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose;
decreased appetite;
clear discharge from the nose and eyes;
partial refusal of games/exercises;
slight diarrhea and vomiting (sometimes).
tousled fur.

In some animals the signs are less pronounced, in others they are more distinct. At the beginning, all sick dogs have an elevated temperature (39.5–40), which lasts for about 3 days.

This is interesting! After 3 days, the temperature of the strongest animals drops to normal, the disease ends and recovery occurs. In weak dogs, the temperature continues to rise against the background of a general deterioration in health.

Damages to the nervous system can be observed both at the height of the disease and during positive dynamics. Carnivore plague often has an atypical or abortive course, and is also characterized by an acute, hyperacute, subacute or chronic course.

Forms of the disease

The degree of brightness of clinical signs determines the form of the disease, which can be nervous, intestinal, pulmonary or cutaneous (exanthematous). The development of a certain form of plague depends on the virulence of the pathogen and the reactivity of the dog’s body. One form of the disease easily passes into another. In addition, the manifestation of canine plague in a mixed form is not excluded.

Pulmonary form

In its acute form, this form of plague is associated with an increase in temperature (up to 39.5 degrees), which does not decrease for 10–15 days. The skin of the nasolabial planum becomes dry and cracks appear on it (not always).

Important! 1-2 days after the temperature jump, the dog’s eyes begin to water profusely with the formation of serous-mucous and then purulent discharge: the animal’s eyelids stick together and the eyes close.

Rhinitis begins, in which serous-purulent exudate flows from the nasal cavities, the nostrils stick together, and crusts appear on the nasolabial mirror. Breathing is accompanied by wheezing and a cough appears, initially dry, but later wet. In the 2nd–3rd week, catarrhal disorders are often joined by nervous ones, which then become predominant.

Intestinal form

If the main blow of the virus falls on the digestive system, the dog suddenly loses its appetite, gets sick with pharyngitis/tonsillitis and shows signs of catarrh (usually acute) of the gastrointestinal tract. Catarrhal inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa is manifested by diarrhea with the release of liquid (gray-yellow and then brown) feces mixed with mucus and blood.

In the intestinal form of plague, periodic attacks of vomiting with yellow mucous contents are observed. If the rectum is affected, where hemorrhagic inflammation began, bloody spots are found in the feces. Sick dogs also emit a disgusting odor.

Nervous form

When the nervous system is damaged, short-term excitement and even slight aggressiveness are observed.

The nervous form of canine plague is characterized by the following symptoms:

whole body;
spasms of individual muscles, including limbs and abdominal wall;
twitching of facial muscles;
impaired coordination of movements;
epileptic seizures, turning into paresis/paralysis of the limbs, rectum, bladder sphincter and facial nerve.

In some cases, improvement in general condition is followed by relapses, usually after 7–9 days. Such sudden exacerbations usually end in the death of the animal.

Cutaneous form

With this form of the disease, plague exanthema develops, or simply a skin rash, when small red spots dot the ears, nostrils, area around the mouth and hips of the dog (inside and outside). The spots gradually transform into shiny blisters (with yellow purulent/serous filling) ranging in size from a grain to a penny. Then the bubbles burst and dry out, forming brown crusts.

Important! The duration of distemper in dogs varies greatly. Mild cases result in recovery within a week, while severe cases drag on for months and even years.

Some sick dogs develop hyperkeratosis, in which there is severe keratinization of the epidermis at the joint bends. Sometimes weeping eczema occurs in the area of the external auditory canal.

Diagnosis and treatment

First, you need to exclude diseases with similar symptoms - Aujeszky's disease, salmonellosis, rabies, infectious hepatitis and pasteurellosis.

damage to the respiratory tract;
two-wave temperature rise;
catarrh of the mucous membranes of the eyes/nose;
damage to the central nervous system;
diarrhea;
hyperkeratosis of the paw pads;
the duration of the illness is at least 21 days.

Four of these symptoms are enough to suggest that a dog has canine distemper. The early stage is often characterized by the following five signs: photophobia, normal temperature with increased appetite or a temperature of 39 °C or more with loss of appetite, cough, symptoms of damage to the nervous system. Based on two of the five named signs, one can suspect plague, and based on three, a diagnosis can be made.

Drug treatment

For distemper in dogs, complex therapy with a combination of specific and symptomatic drugs is indicated.

The most effective specific means are recognized:

avirocan (canine immunoglobulin against hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus and coronavirus enteritis);
immunoglobulin against canine distemper and parvovirus enteritis;
globulin against enteritis, plague and hepatitis of carnivores.

Important! To suppress bacterial (secondary) microflora, antibacterial drugs with prolonged action are prescribed. A course of antibiotic treatment must be completed with the use of probiotics, such as bifidumbacterin, lactobacterin, enterobifidin, bactisubtil and others.

Traditional methods of treatment

Experienced dog lovers, based on their many years of experience, do not particularly trust veterinarians and often refuse drug treatment, relying on simple remedies. The basis of all drugs, thanks to which dogs were pulled out practically from the other world, are strong alcoholic drinks. One of the most popular recipes looks like this: twice a day, a sick animal is given half a glass of vodka mixed with one raw egg and a teaspoon of honey. The last ingredient is not strictly required. The mixture is injected into the mouth from a syringe or a large syringe (without a needle).

Someone saved their dog from distemper in a more expensive way, using good cognac (a teaspoon 2 times a day), other owners made do with homemade moonshine (a glass in the morning and evening), and someone fed the dog with banal fortified wine.

Another miraculous drink based on vodka, which returned the dog to an active life: 2 cloves of crushed garlic + 1 homemade egg + vodka (100–120 g). Everything is thoroughly shaken and poured from a spoon or syringe. This is a single dose, repeated morning and evening.

This is interesting! Some healers combined the incongruous (alcohol and antibiotics), but the dogs were rescued from the clutches of death. Patients received injections of penicillin and twice a day 0.5 glasses of vodka, shaken with a couple of raw eggs.

An adult (with an intestinal form of distemper) began to recover from homemade red wine, since the store-bought wine made her sick. They gave her wine for exactly two days, pouring 2 tablespoons in the morning and evening, and after 1–2 hours they gave her 1 tablet of noshpa. In addition, the shepherd was constantly given water (1 tablespoon) throughout the day.

The dog, according to the owner, woke up cheerful already on the 3rd day, and began to eat liquid soup little by little (though not by itself, but from a spoon). For 7 days, the shepherd was also given a Noshpa tablet, and she did not require antibiotics. A week later the dog was healthy. Decoctions of St. John's wort and chamomile will help remove accumulated toxins from the body. A decoction of motherwort is also good, preventing the development of severe consequences and calming the nervous system.