Sled Dog Society of Wales
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  • Health & Wellbeing
    • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
    • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
    • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
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    • RING CRAFT TRAINING
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Picture
Distemper
 
The canine distemper occurs as a result of a morbillivirus; the same kind of microorganism that leads to humans measles.  It is more commonly known as the canine distemper virus or CDV.  It is a serious and extremely contagious disease which not only infects dogs but also ferrets, skunks and other animals.  It does not, however, affect domestic cats since feline distemper is caused by another, different virus.  The replication of the virus initially occurs in the lymphatic tissue of the animal and then finds its way, via the circulatory system, to other areas of the body.  It is not uncommon for the dog to die suddenly after being infected.  Dogs are of a greater risk between the ages of three and six months old as the immune systems of the puppies have not yet matured.  There is a high occurrence of canine distemper in areas where there are many unvaccinated dogs.  Therefore, considered a major disease in dogs in the UK, vaccination is highly recommended by veterinarians.
 
Transmission
The canine distemper virus is transmitted via bodily fluids such as nasal discharge, urine and faeces, but most commonly by airborne droplets which contain the virus.  The dogs breathe these in and so allowing the disease to enter into the animal’s respiratory tract. Any contaminated drinking water or food may also harbour the virus.
 
Fortunately, unlike some of the other major canine diseases, the majority of disinfectants can destroy the virus, thus eliminating it.  In addition it cannot live for prolonged periods of time without its host. Dogs undergoing recovery should be kept away from other dogs as the can still pass on the virus, though once fully recovered this should no longer happen.
 
Symptoms
The most well-known symptom is the presentation of hard pads as a result of the canine distemper virus and occurs mainly in older dogs.  Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and lethargy.  The dog may also show signs of slight respiratory distress which can include coughing and laboured breathing.  There can be some nasal discharge, accompanied by a high temperature.  In addition, there is sometimes some swelling around the eyes along with some discharge or even lesions on the retina.  Pregnant bitches may undergo spontaneous abortions or pass it on to their unborn puppies that, generally, later die a few days after birth.  As the disease progresses seizures are known to develop as well as paralysis or partial paralysis.
 
Treatment and Prevention
In addition to the other major canine diseases caused by viruses, there is no cure for canine distemper.  The treatment used can only help reduce the symptoms resulting from the disease.  For example, if dehydration is observed then fluid should be administered via an IV.  Antibiotics are also sometimes given to prevent the possibility of a secondary infection. In this way, the dog’s immune system fights of the disease by itself and all that can be done from an outsider’s point of view is to support it.
 
Vaccination is strongly encouraged by veterinarians to prevent the spread of canine distemper and they can be administered to puppies at around six weeks of age.  Annual booster shots should then be given to prolong the immunity of the dog against the disease.  If a dog has contracted the disease then it should be isolated from other dogs and the area thoroughly disinfected.
 
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Blood tests are used to determine the presence of the virus usually after having observed the symptoms presented by the animal.  Dogs that have experienced the neurological effects of the disease such as having seizures have a poor prognosis and are sometimes euthanized.  Other dogs which fight of the disease in the earlier stages can survive and once fully recovered can once again socialise with other dogs.  

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  • SDSW THERAPY DOGS HOME
    • NEW VOLUNTEERS >
      • NEW VOLUNTEERS PAPERWORK
    • ESTABLISHMENTS >
      • HOSPITAL REGISTRATION FORMS
      • SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS
      • CARE HOME REGISTRATION FORMS
      • OTHER BUSINESS REGISTRATION FORMS
    • CORPORATE PARTNERS
    • REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS >
      • VOLUNTEERS SDSWTD Merchandise
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Photos
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Club Sponsors 2024
  • Canine Care - First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • CANINE CARE >
      • Anal Glands/Sacks
      • Burns
      • Coconut Oil
      • Dental Care
      • Dry Dog Food
      • Grooming and maintenance
      • Heat Stroke
      • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
      • Nutrition
      • Raw Feeding
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
      • Turmeric Powder
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • HOMEOPATHIC VACCINES - NOSODES & TITRE TESTING
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
        • Vaccinaions
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
      • Vitaimin E
      • Zinc Deficency
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A-Z >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
  • Health & Wellbeing
    • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
    • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
    • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
    • Breathing Difficulties
    • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
    • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
    • Epilepsy
    • Hip dysplasia
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
    • Joint Luxation
    • Ligament and Tendon Tears
    • Metabolic Myopathy
    • Paw Pad Problems
    • Portal Systemic Shunts
    • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
    • Snow Nose
    • Stomach Ulcers
    • Tendonitis
    • Urinary Tract Health
    • Infectious diseases >
      • Alabama Rot
      • Cryptococcosis
      • Distemper
      • Erlichiosis
      • Hepatitis
      • Histoplasmosis
      • Parvovirus
      • Rabies
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
    • XL Bully Law 2024
  • Donation & Fundraising
    • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Alaskan Husky
      • Aalaskan Klee Kai
      • Alaskan Malamute
      • Chow Chow
      • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
      • Greenland Dogs
      • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
      • Samoyed
      • Siberian Husky
      • Tamaskan
      • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
      • Saarlooswolfhond
      • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Agility Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • FLYBALL TRAINING
    • Heelwork to Music Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
      • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
    • RING CRAFT TRAINING
    • Scent Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training