If the dog has suffered from distemper. Distemper in dogs - symptoms and treatment

Distemper in dogs is a serious viral disease, scientifically called canine distemper or Carré's disease. The mortality rate caused by this pathology ranges from 30 to 90%. A particularly dangerous period for dogs and their owners is the mid-season. The peak of the epidemic occurs in spring and autumn.

What you need to know about the virus

Routes of infection

Infection with the canine distemper virus occurs in two ways:

1. Through the respiratory tract.
2. Through the organs of the digestive tract.

Once the virus enters an animal's body, it spreads quickly through circulatory system throughout all internal organs and lymph nodes.

How does the virus enter the external environment?

Sick dogs shed the virus external environment together with physiological secretions: saliva, feces, urine, blood, sweat, mucus from the nose, discharge from the eyes.

Once in the environment, the plague virus remains viable:

• in mucus and feces – from 7 to 10 days;
• dried or chilled – up to several months;
• in lyophilized form (frozen and placed in a vacuum) - more than a year.

The virus is destroyed under the influence of high temperatures and UV rays, so summer period Over time, dogs rarely become infected with distemper. Some disinfectants also have a destructive effect on the virus.

How can a dog become infected?

A dog can catch the virus through direct contact with sick wild and domestic animals, through coughing and sneezing, as well as through care and hygiene items: bowls, clothes, leashes. Blood-sucking insects and some species of rodents can spread canine plague.

Since the virus lives long enough in environment, danger awaits dogs on a walk. The owner can bring the infection into the house himself dirty shoes or street clothes.

Incubation period

The hidden (latent) phase of the disease lasts about a week, but in exceptional cases this time can be reduced to a couple of days or, conversely, increased to 21 days. In some cases incubation period lasts up to 2-3 months. At this time, there are no visible signs of the disease, but the animal is already infectious to others and spreads the virus everywhere.

Risk group

The predisposition to this viral pathology depends on the age of the animal, its breed and genotype.

Puppies and unvaccinated young dogs are at risk for this disease. The offspring of unvaccinated dogs aged 2 to 7 months are especially vulnerable.. Such animals are more likely to become infected and become seriously ill with complications. One of the most common complications is pneumonia.

Dog breeds such as dogs and huskies are vulnerable to this disease. Approximately 20% of individuals have a genotype with a weakened immune response to the canine distemper virus. But, mongrel stray dogs are the most often affected.

Prognosis for recovery

The prognosis for recovery depends on several factors: vaccination status, speed of diagnosis, age of the animal, general condition health and clinical picture of pathology.

Any dog ​​can get distemper, however, the prospects for recovery for purebred dogs are not as encouraging as for mongrels. An adult animal is likely to be able to overcome the disease, but puppies under the age of one year mostly die. But even if they can be cured, developmental delays affect the baby’s health for life.

Important! If a nursing bitch gets sick with distemper, then most often the puppies get a mild form of the disease and receive passive immunity for life.

Symptoms of distemper in dogs

The symptoms of canine plague are very extensive. The clinical picture is similar to other diseases of a viral and non-viral nature, and the virus spreads instantly. Therefore, there is no need to try to make a diagnosis yourself; when the first alarming or suspicious symptoms appear, immediately show the dog veterinarian.

Signs indicating plague:

• conjunctivitis (serous, bilateral) – purulent discharge from the eyes;
• photophobia (photophobia) - the animal hides in secluded corners of the home, avoids sunlight, looks for shaded areas on the street;
• redness of the eyes;
• sneezing;
• cloudy discharge from the nose;
• dry obsessive cough, turning into wet;
• breathing problems (shortness of breath);
• increased salivation;
• dandruff;
• depression;
• digestive disorders - bloating, vomiting, diarrhea;
• skin rash in the abdominal area;
• anorexia, weight loss;
• abnormal thickening of the footpads or nose (hyperkeratosis);
• apathy, lethargy, indifference to games;
• problems with coordination of movements - “drunk gait”;
• frequent chewing movements with salivation;
• paralysis, convulsions, muscle spasms, epileptic seizures.

Every animal clinical picture may be different depending on which organs and systems are affected by the virus. Sick pets may exhibit some or all of these signs. If at least one of the symptoms appears, call a veterinarian!

Important! The initial stage of distemper is characterized by fever, the dog's body temperature rises to 41°C.

Classification of pathology

According to the severity and form of the course

• chronic form - characterized by short-term awakening and attenuation of the disease;
• acute form, accompanied by all of the above symptoms;
• hyperacute form, observed as often as acute; but with it, the death of the dog occurs very quickly - within 2-3 days, and the symptoms of the disease are high temperature, refusal to eat;
• lightning-fast form, leads to the instant death of the dog without any external manifestations.

Important! A dog that has suffered from distemper often subsequently has mental problems; it may lack a sense of smell and have decreased vision.

By location

1. Pneumonic plague- this is the entry of the virus into the respiratory tract, as a result of which a high temperature rises and begins paroxysmal cough, as well as diarrhea, vomiting, discharge from the nose and eyes.
   
2. Intestinal plague- This incessant vomiting, diarrhea that has a very unpleasant odor. The dog refuses to eat, black spots appear on the teeth, and possible loss of consciousness from dehydration and exhaustion.
   
3. Cutaneous plague The easiest type of disease to diagnose. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash on the body - on the nose, paw pads, ears. Soon the rash turns into sores, which begin to itch, bleed and become inflamed. At proper treatment recovery soon occurs, but without treatment the dog dies from infection.
   
4. Nervous plague affects the nervous system. The dog becomes withdrawn, convulsions appear, loss of coordination appears, limbs fail and, as a result, death occurs from muscle spasms of the respiratory and heart organs.
   
5. Most mild form Distemper is caused by hardening of the foot pads (hyperkeratosis). It is preceded by intestinal and pulmonary symptoms in a mild form.
   

Important! Dogs diagnosed with nerve distemper die almost 100%.

Stages of canine plague

There are two stages of the disease:

• Feverish– initial, treatable with a low percentage of animal mortality. May last 4-6 weeks.
• Nervous– develops after fever with ineffective therapy. The stage is rapidly progressing. In most cases within 15-30 days nervous stage animals die.

Diagnosis of distemper in dogs

The difficulty of diagnosing this viral infection is that making a diagnosis based on clinical analysis blood is possible only on the 5-6th day of infection. By this time, the blood accumulates sufficient quantity specific immunoglobulins produced by the dog’s body in response to the disease.

If the dog was once vaccinated against canine distemper, these immunoglobulins will be present in its blood, which also prevents a correct diagnosis.

Laboratory testing of animal secretions (nasal mucus, urine) is the second method of diagnosis, but it is not 100% informative. Experienced veterinarians can diagnose distemper in a living animal by analyzing the clinical picture and history. But with this approach it is important to exclude everything possible diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment of plague

Professional treatment

The treatment regimen is prescribed by a veterinarian depending on the stage of the disease (febrile, nervous). The dog owner should seek veterinary help as early as possible so as not to miss the febrile stage. The earlier therapy is started, the higher the chances of cure and saving the pet’s life.

Therapeutic measures during the febrile stage of distemper are aimed at maintaining the dog’s body and suppressing the virus.

1. Administration of hyperimmune serum is effective up to 10 days after the onset of the first symptoms. Specific immunoglobulins are administered once in a large dosage. In more late dates- application is useless.
2. Interferon drugs - to neutralize the life processes of the virus.
3. Immunostimulants are the most effective group drugs against canine distemper.
4. Antiviral chemotherapy - methenamine.
5. Calcium-containing preparations compensate for the lack of calcium that occurs during the plague.
6. Vitamin therapy – B vitamins, rutin, ascorbic acid.
7. Antibiotic therapy.
8. Symptomatic treatment. It is prescribed in each case individually depending on the form of the disease.

Important!

At this stage, it is important to prevent an overdose of antipyretic drugs, antibiotics and immunostimulants.

Therapy for the nervous stage of plague involves the use of drugs that suppress immune reactions that destroy the brain.

1. Antiviral therapy - ribavirin, comedon.
2. Calcium preparations.
3. Vitamin therapy.
4. Immunosuppressive drugs (corticosteroids) – hydrocortisone, dexamethasone.
5. Anticonvulsants – finlepsin, prozerin, mydocalm.

Important!

At the nervous stage, the use of hyperimmune serum is unacceptable - this will lead to an irreparable result, the dog’s brain will begin to deteriorate faster.

Traditional methods

Let us make a reservation that the safety and effectiveness of traditional methods of treating distemper are denied by professional veterinarians.

• Vodka. Depending on the size of the dog, 30-50 grams of vodka are poured into the mouth. This is done with a medical syringe without a needle.
• Cocktail made from vodka and eggs. Take 100 ml vodka, 1 a raw egg, 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix everything in a blender and feed the resulting mixture to the dog.

According to reviews from owners, vodka can only help initial stage diseases. It is best to use it in combination with medications.

Important!

You should not self-medicate; your doctor must determine a treatment regimen.

What should the owner of a sick dog do?

Sick dogs are hospitalized and quarantined so as not to infect other animals. The exact timing of isolation is determined by the veterinarian, based on the degree of pathology, the severity of its course, the clinical picture and the general condition of the animal.

Recovered dogs pose a danger to their relatives for several weeks or months - they may still be infectious. The owner must ensure that they do not come into contact with other pets.

Everything that the sick animal has come into contact with must be disinfected. This applies to surfaces, bedding (if the dog was allowed to sleep with its owners), dog supplies, beds, and toys.

How does canine plague affect your health?

Individuals who have recovered from the disease may be left with damage to the brain and central nervous system, which manifests itself several years after the illness. This usually occurs in older dogs. They may experience convulsive conditions and other dysfunctions nervous system and brain activity.

Prevention

Cannot be completely fenced off healthy pet from contact with the virus. Therefore, there are only two methods of prevention:

Important!

Carnivore plague is a disease with a very high mortality rate, do not neglect preventive measures!

Stories from owners and veterinarians

Stepan Petrovich, shepherd owner:“We adopted a shepherd dog for foster care; the dog was already three years old. A few weeks later she developed symptoms of ARVI; they thought she caught a cold in a draft. They took him to the veterinarian, where they examined the animal, did tests and diagnosed it with distemper. The veterinarian said that we contacted him early and it saved the animal. We were prescribed: anandin (antiviral), immunomodulators, vitamins, glucose and calcium. The dog was rescued. And some owners are asked to euthanize their pets. It’s good that they didn’t advise us to do that.”

Igor Nikolaevich, veterinarian:“I’m tired of telling my clients not to torture poor sick animals with traditional medicine. If you want to drink vodka, drink it yourself! Plague fatal disease, they don’t joke with people like that and there’s no time for experiments. Even a correctly selected scheme professional treatment does not always give a guaranteed result in cure. It all depends on the immune system of each dog. Do not hesitate, contact the clinic immediately. And remember that vaccination is the only chance to save your pet from this disease.”

Video:

Plague or distemper (Pestis)- highly contagious viral disease, characterized by fever, general intoxication, damage to the skin and mucous membranes, respiratory and digestive organs in dogs. In some cases, it can cause severe manifestations of meningitis and encephalitis.

Distemper has been known since the domestication of dogs. In the writings of Aristotle it is described as a sore throat. Distributed everywhere. In Russia, it appeared in 1762 in Crimea and was called the “Crimean disease.” The viral nature of the plague was first proven in 1905 by the French scientist Carré.

The causative agent of plague is an RNA virus from the paramyxovirus family. The plague virus is not stable in the external environment. In nasal discharge and feces of sick animals, it loses activity after 7-11 days. Dried or frozen virus lasts for several months, and in a lyophilized state - for at least a year. Heating to 60°C destroys it in 30 minutes, to 100°C - instantly. Disinfectants and physical factors inactivate the virus quite quickly: 1% and Lysol solution and ultraviolet rays - for 30 minutes, 2% and sodium hydroxide solution - 60 minutes, sunlight and 0.1-0.5% solutions of formalin and phenol - after a few hours.

Epizootology. The disease in the form of an epizootic is observed throughout the world. Silver-black foxes, arctic foxes, Ussuri raccoons, ferrets, sables, bears, weasels, stoats, and wolves are susceptible.

Maternal antibodies, detected in colostrum and milk, create passive immunity in puppies up to the age of about 1.5-2 weeks, but not always. Those who have recovered from plague have long-lasting immunity, but it is not sterile and not necessarily lifelong. Even immunized animals can lose resistance to distemper as a result prolonged stress, immunosuppression or when in contact with a sick person open form animals. More often, a generalized form of distemper occurs in unvaccinated dogs., especially in puppies aged 8-16 weeks with impaired colostral (obtained from mother's colostrum) immunity.

Short-faced animals get sick less often than long-faced ones. Almost all dogs suffer from plague in one form or another, but more often it occurs in puppyhood.

The source of the infectious agent is an infected animal that releases the virus into the external environment; the virus is contained in discharge from the eyes and nose, in exhaled air, saliva, feces and urine, usually for 10-51 days. Factors of transmission of the virus may include contaminated animal care items, clothing, feed, water, as well as insects, birds and rodents. The latter are not only mechanical carriers, but can also secrete the virus without showing signs of disease.

The reservoir of the plague causative agent in nature is wild animals and stray dogs. The disease can occur at any time of the year and manifest as an epizootic or sporadically.

Symptoms of plague and course of the disease

The incubation period (the moment from the entry of the virus into the body until the appearance of the first clinical symptoms of the disease) in a dog usually lasts 3-21 days or more, and sometimes 60-90 days. In connection with immunization, the clinical picture of plague is last years has changed significantly. As a rule, plague occurred in clinically pronounced forms with fever and intoxication, but in Lately are registered more often atypical forms or the disease occurs together with other infectious diseases.

However, depending on the severity of clinical symptoms, the following are conventionally distinguished: cutaneous, intestinal, pulmonary, nervous and most often mixed (generalized) forms of plague. The development of one form or another of the disease is largely determined by the reactivity of the dog’s body. The same strain of the plague causative agent can cause different Clinical signs, ranging from temperature reactions to nervous symptoms.

There are acute, subacute, chronic and abortive forms of the disease.

On early stages(3-5 days) the disease is characterized by bilateral (on both sides) serous, serous-purulent conjunctivitis. In the morning, sometimes throughout the day, the eyelashes are glued together with pus (white, gray or greenish), the eyes are difficult to open, and severe photophobia appears. Dogs begin to go into the shade, hide under a closet, bed, table, chair, and strive for coolness. In parallel or slightly later (after 3-5 days), rhinophea develops (profuse nasal discharge), a dry cough, which after 5-7 days becomes wet, especially with timely treatment. Nasal discharge is clear, cloudy or greenish in color.

In acute cases, an increase in body temperature to 39.5-41 ° C is noted, especially in the evenings or at night. Appetite is distorted, but most often decreases, and at high temperatures completely disappears. Thirst increases. Developing coma, in which the dog or puppy dies on the 27th day of the disease.

The subacute course is also characterized by high fever that lasts from one day to two weeks. Then the fever becomes moderate. In puppies 1-1.5 months of age, the temperature rises slightly or remains within normal limits. Along with fever, sick dogs exhibit depression, lethargy, muscle tremors, fearfulness, loss of appetite, dryness and roughness of the nasal mucosa.

Pulmonary (respiratory)- characterized by severe damage to the respiratory system: first the upper and then the lower respiratory tract. In this case, rhinitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia or their mixed forms (acute catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, tracheobronchitis, bronchopneumonia) consistently develop.

Intestinal (gastrointestinal)- manifests itself as serious lesions digestive system, including acute gastroenteritis, and is accompanied by refusal to feed, vomiting, as well as constipation and diarrhea, which leads to dehydration and rapid exhaustion of the dog. Feces contain a lot of mucus, often mixed with blood.

The most severe form in dogs is nervous distemper.. When it occurs, the prognosis is often unfavorable. The most serious complications with it are meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, myelitis, paresis and paralysis of the limbs and sphincters of internal organs, as well as epilepsy. These complications develop as a result of the introduction of the plague virus into the cells of the spinal cord, brain and its membranes. Symptoms of meningitis, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis with their neuromuscular symptoms appear 2-6 weeks after infection. In weakened and immunized dogs, these symptoms can occur suddenly, without prior development of symptoms of general intoxication, high fever, etc.

A good example is that a dog has a nervous form of distemper.

Generalized form occurs in 90-95% of cases dog distemper diseases.

It contains clinical symptoms cutaneous, pulmonary, intestinal and nervous forms. That is, the division into these forms of plague is conditional.

The chronic course of the disease is most often characteristic of the skin and nervous forms. At the same time, recovered animals have convulsive twitching of individual muscle groups, paresis and paralysis, as well as blindness, deafness, loss of smell, scars on the cornea, overgrowth of the pupil or atrophy eyeball, epilepsy remains on for a long time, often for life.

Diagnosis of distemper in dogs, criteria for assessing the presence of the disease

The diagnosis of distemper in an animal is made on the basis of epidemiological data, clinical signs, pathological changes and laboratory test results.

To make a diagnosis based on clinical signs, the veterinarian takes into account the following criteria: damage to the respiratory organs, catarrhal gastroenteritis, catarrh of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose with serous or purulent discharge, hyperkeratosis of the paw pads, fingers, nose and entire skin with the formation large quantity dandruff, damage to the central nervous system with convulsions, epilepsy, paresis, paralysis, meningitis and meningoencephalitis. If any four or five of these signs are noticed in a dog, then they indicate the occurrence of distemper. Based on any two of the listed signs, plague can be suspected, and based on three, a clinical diagnosis can be made.

Proper treatment of the disease

Great importance in treatment of this disease has timely rendered qualified veterinary care. It must be comprehensive.

Treatment is carried out in several directions: specific (serums, immunoglobulins), the use of immunostimulants and immunomodulators (immunofan, ribotan, fosprenil, etc.), symptomatic: antibacterial drugs(to suppress secondary microflora), cardiac, astringent drugs, vitamins, electrolytes (to relieve intoxication and dehydration), antihistamines, anticonvulsants and substances that stimulate the activity of the central nervous system.

The sick dog is placed in a separate, clean, warm, draft-free, well-insulated dark room (isolated room) with moderately humid air. Prescribe peace and quiet.

Dietary feeding is prescribed. In this case, age and breed characteristics animal.

First, a fasting regime is established for up to 12-24 hours with free access to water or rehydration solutions. In a bowl with boiled water it is advisable to add a small amount of decoctions or infusions from medicinal plants(rhizome of serpentine, marshmallow root, string, sage leaves, oak bark, oregano, cinquefoil erect, yarrow, chamomile, calamus rhizome, licorice, chaga, St. John's wort, blueberry fruit, bird cherry, horse sorrel, flaxseed, roots and rhizomes of Burnet officinalis). All of these plants have different therapeutic effects on the body of a sick animal - enveloping, astringent, mucous and anti-inflammatory.

On days 2-3, small amounts of liquid (water or broth) rice or oatmeal, jelly or their decoctions, pre-mixing them with a small amount of boiled chicken or ground beef (1-2 tablespoons per serving). If the dog does not develop indigestion in the form of vomiting and diarrhea after such a dacha, then the dose of food is gradually increased. On days 4-5, fresh low-fat lactic acid products at room temperature are added to the specified diet: yogurt, kefir, as well as acidophilus and acidophilus milk. It is advisable to use flaxseed decoction in the diet from the first days of treatment. On days 7-9, boiled finely chopped vegetables are introduced into the diet - carrots, cabbage, potatoes. Starting from day 10, dogs are transferred to a normal diet.

Useful for severely exhausted patients artificial feeding through the rectum with nutritional and medicinal fluids. As nutrient mixtures, 2-20% glucose solutions, 0.5-1% sodium chloride solutions, Ringer's and Ringer-Locke solutions, rice, oatmeal, flaxseed decoctions, meat, chicken or beef broth, peptone with saline solution are used ( 1:10), milk and combinations of these substances.

Before administering the drug nutritional mixture the rectum is cleared of contents. To do this, do a warm cleansing enema, which removes painful sensations, reduces muscle tone, which is important for retaining a nutritional or medicinal component introduced into the rectum.

Most effective for maintaining water balance is the intravenous administration of infusion fluids. If it is not possible to install a drip system, the veterinarian prescribes subcutaneous injections. Subcutaneous injections Large volumes are most conveniently done in the area of ​​the shoulder blade or at the withers, preferably at several points 4-6 times a day, if necessary for several days in a row.

In complex treatment widely used antimicrobials: antibiotics, sulfonamides, nitrofuran and quinoxaline derivatives. Antibiotics are used taking into account the sensitivity of the microflora to them. Contraindications for their use are carefully studied.

In parallel with antimicrobial substances, vitamins and multivitamins are needed with food or separately. Among the vitamins required for recovery are ascorbic acid 2-3 times a day orally or parenterally, and B vitamins, which are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the veterinarian.

To increase resistance, especially at the onset of the disease, it is recommended to administer polyvalent hyperimmune serum against Chumkiu subcutaneously 3 - 4 times with an interval of 12-24 hours. It must be administered carefully, given the high allergenicity. Injecting gamma and immunoglobulin is safer and no less effective. In addition to globulins, sometimes in combination with them, it is necessary to prescribe interferon parenterally or externally. The course and dose should be determined by the attending veterinarian. Interferon is instilled into the nose and eyes, 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day for a week or more.

Some veterinarians successfully use thymogen, thymalin, timoptin, gactivin, anandin, comedon and others strictly according to the instructions.

At all symptomatic therapy in case of distemper in dogs, it is carried out depending on the presence of symptoms of disturbance in the activity of one or another internal organ or the whole system.

Prevention and control measures

In Russia, for specific prevention plague, various domestic vaccines are used - Vakchum, EPM, KF-668, Multikan, Trimevak and others. In recent years, very effective and low-toxic monovalent and complex vaccines have been coming from abroad: Hexadog (France), Vanguard (Belgium), Kanvak (Czech Republic), Kanlan (Canada), Nobivac (Holland) and others.

Puppies are vaccinated starting from 2-3 months of age 1-2 times a year, and after a year they are vaccinated annually. The vaccine and vaccination schedule must be determined by a specific veterinarian. Sellers, owners, doctors and other categories of citizens are strictly prohibited from vaccinating. After vaccination, the puppy or dog should not be walked. They are kept in quarantine for 10-14 days. Before vaccination, it is necessary to deworm the animal.

During illness, it is necessary to disinfect the premises where the sick animal is located. If it dies, the room is thoroughly disinfected with a 2% sodium hydroxide solution or a clarified solution of bleach with 2% active chlorine, 3% Lysol emulsion, 2% chloramine solution or Virkon C (Slovenia), etc.

A set of measures is also carried out in accordance with special instructions.

The materials posted in this section are for educational purposes only and in no way can serve as a basis for independently diagnosing and treating a dog.

If your dog is sick, you first need to consult a veterinarian. Remember - any initiative on the part of the animal owner can cause irreparable harm to the dog’s health!

Leave your questions in the comments

Distemper is an animal disease caused by viruses. The causative agents of the disease are very resistant to low temperatures and lose their strength at high levels. A cure for such a disease has not yet been invented, so how to treat distemper in a dog? There is a therapeutic regimen that the veterinarian will prescribe. Many people are also interested in how to treat distemper in dogs using folk remedies. In this article we will consider the causes of the disease, symptoms, traditional and medicinal treatment methods.

Which dogs are at risk for the disease?

Puppies and young dogs are most prone to this disease, the most dangerous period considered to be between three months and one year of age. During this period of life, the animal’s teeth are replaced, the immune system becomes weak, and the body is exposed to various kinds diseases. If the puppy is still being fed by its mother, then it is in little danger of distemper, because antibodies against it enter the body with milk terrible disease, but there are exceptions.

Dog breed has nothing to do with predisposition. Both a mongrel and a pedigree dog can get distemper. The peak incidence is noted in spring and autumn, and it is during these times of the year that every owner should know how to treat distemper in a dog. Providing first aid on time will speed up the recovery process and minimize the possibility of death of the animal.

Causes of infection

Distemper is caused by a virus that is most dangerous for animals. It penetrates through the respiratory tract or orally.

The main source of infection is interaction with a sick animal; in this case, the dog emits the virus through saliva, urine or feces. If a dog is sick with distemper, then the virus is on all objects that came into contact with it, and these things need to be eliminated, the most The best way- burn. Do not throw away these items; they may cause infection to another animal. Never accept used items as gifts. dead dog, because they can carry a dangerous virus. Common cause animal infections become:

• feeders;
• toys;
• beds;
• carrier bags;
• enclosures that have ever contained infected individuals.

If the dog is a pet and does not interact with other animals, this does not mean that it is safe. The cause of infection can even be ordinary dirt on a person’s shoes, brought home, clothes, or the remains of dirt on a dog’s paws after a walk.

The danger of infection occurs in early spring and late autumn, when above-zero temperatures are not as high as in summer. It is at this time of year that you need to especially protect your pet. So, how to treat distemper in a dog?

Infection period

From the moment the animal comes into contact with a sick individual or with an object carrying the virus, the dog is affected by the disease. But in the first 5-20 days, the dog is only a carrier and distributor, and it is almost impossible to find out that the pet is sick.

The incubation period makes it difficult to diagnose symptoms of distemper in dogs. How to treat your pet during this time? If you see that something is wrong with your dog, but are not sure that it is distemper, then be sure to contact a veterinarian; you cannot self-medicate. The only thing is that you need to provide first aid using folk remedies, which we will talk about later.

When signs of distemper appear in dogs, a veterinarian will tell every dog ​​owner how to treat it. Treatment should be started immediately when the following symptoms:

1. A short-term increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees. The fever subsides on its own, and therefore one can note strangeness in the animal’s behavior: the dog is either active or becomes lethargic.
2. Appetite decreases, even if the pet loves to eat. The dog even refuses his favorite treats and becomes lethargic.
3. The mucous membranes begin to turn red.
4. Diarrhea, cough, vomiting always accompany plague.
5. The dog begins to be afraid of the light, its eyes water, it hides in the dark corners of the house, and refuses to go for a walk.
6. The most recent signs are the inability to get up. The dog becomes weakened, lies down, does not respond to the owner’s voice and does not react to stimuli. Hard breath, protruding tongue and rapid or, on the contrary, weakened heartbeat.

The disease primarily affects gastrointestinal tract And respiratory system. The virus affects the central nervous system, and the animal experiences convulsions, coordination of movements becomes confused, and paralysis occurs. All latest symptoms- 100% signs of nervous distemper in dogs. Everyone should know how to treat this disease at home, because the disease cannot be left without treatment; the fatal outcome with plague is 90%. The sooner you start treatment, the greater the chances of rescuing your pet from the other world. Is it possible to treat a dog with distemper with vodka? This question constantly appears on the Internet. Answer: you can, vodka will be an excellent first aid. We will write below how to do this.

Course and diagnosis

The intensity of the disease depends on the dog’s immunity. There are several forms of development of the disease:

1. Lightning development - the dog has no symptoms, but dies within a day.
2. Hyperacute course - the dog’s temperature rises sharply, it falls into a coma, and if treatment is not started, the animal will die within 2-3 days.
3. Acute form of the disease - the dog exhibits the symptoms described above.
4. Chronic distemper - symptoms appear and disappear, in this form the dog is a constant carrier of the virus.

Diagnosis of the disease must be made in a hospital. You will need to be tested to rule out other viral diseases whose symptoms are similar to plague.

How to treat distemper in a dog?

It is advisable to send your pet for treatment to a hospital, where professionals will take care of it. If this is not possible, then call the veterinarian to your home so that he can diagnose accurate diagnosis and prescribed treatment.

Since there is no cure for distemper, the fight against the disease is by increasing the animal’s immunity, which will itself fight the virus. The owner requires attention, love, support. It is necessary to build a place for the dog in the dark where it will not be disturbed by light. You also need a special diet. We will tell you in the following content what to feed your pet during illness.

Specific treatment

Unfortunately, there are no magic injections for plague yet. Scientists are trying to develop them, but so far to no avail. But there are serums that will help minimize the possibility of death - these are liquids with antibodies obtained by processing the blood of animals with high immunity to the disease. The following serums are prescribed:

• "Vitafel";
• "Gixan";
• "Globcan";
• "Avirokan" and the like.

In rare cases, a blood transfusion from an immune dog is used.

The difficulty of such therapy is that the serum must be administered at the very beginning of the disease, and as we have already understood, symptoms can appear both on the first and on the twentieth day after infection. The sooner the serum is administered, the greater the chance of a successful outcome. If you use the serum too late or abandon it altogether, then in rare cases a miracle of healing can occur. When the disease is advanced, all that remains is to rely on the strength of the immune system and the pet’s zeal for life.

The serum should be administered to the animal 1-2 times a day. Because we're talking about about the introduction of a foreign protein, you must first inject Diphenhydramine to eliminate allergies.

Vodka for plague

Treating distemper in a dog with vodka is a proven folk method that has helped save the lives of many four-legged animals. You can give your dog a forty-degree “medicine” in two ways:

1. Take a large syringe and remove the needle. Fill it with vodka in the amount of 30-50 grams (depending on the size of the animal), pour it into the mouth, hold the head until the dog completely swallows the drink. Give water to avoid burns to the mucous membranes. This procedure is carried out twice a day. Usually on the second day the dog becomes more active, he develops an appetite, which means that he is on the mend.
2. Second method: dilute one raw egg in half a glass of vodka, stir well. Divide the product into two halves, pour one portion into the animal’s mouth, and the second after 12 hours.

Now you know how to treat your dog for distemper at home while you wait for the vet to arrive. Of course, it will not be possible to cure an animal with vodka alone; other therapy must also be used, but this drink will minimize the likelihood of death and help the pet recover faster.

Respiratory manifestations

Can distemper in dogs be treated with antibiotics? Serum and vodka alone will not save the animal. How to treat distemper in a dog at home? The veterinarian will prescribe complex therapy, the scheme of which must be strictly adhered to. In case of respiratory manifestations of the disease (sneezing, coughing, dry nose and cracked earlobes, inflammation of the eyes), it is necessary to contain the reproduction and spread of harmful bacteria. Therefore, it is also necessary to treat distemper in dogs with antibiotics. These medications will only help cope with the proliferation of bacteria when they appear. respiratory symptoms, but antibiotics do not treat the plague itself. The doctor will prescribe Ampicillin, Levomycetin, Sulfalen, Sumetrolim, Streptomecin or another antibiotic.

If you do not use it, it will worsen - blindness, loss of smell, pneumonia, bronchitis or pulmonary edema.

Antibacterial drops should be used to clean the eyes and nose. Avoid crusting.

How to treat intestinal distemper in dogs

With this type of distemper, dogs will vomit profusely and have foul-smelling loose stools. yellow color. There is often mucus and even blood in the stool. Without qualified assistance There is no way around this, you need to urgently call a doctor. The veterinarian will prescribe droppers of plasma-substituting solutions and salts: lactosol, disol, sodium chloride plus 0.5 glucose.

To stop diarrhea and vomiting, so that dehydration does not occur, the following medications are prescribed:

• "Bifikol";
• "Cerucal";
• "Intestopan";
• "Abomin";
• "Smecta" and others that help eliminate toxins and stop diarrhea and vomiting.

There are also folk remedies for normalizing the gastrointestinal tract and removing toxins. Give your dog carrot juice, linden and chamomile decoction. If the dog refuses to drink it voluntarily, then force it in.

With this form of plague, treatment with vodka is unacceptable. The drink will harm already irritated mucous membranes and cause severe dehydration.

Other types of illness

If plague affects the nervous system, the doctor should prescribe the following medications: "Mydocalm" or analogues - to reduce muscle tone, "Pagluferal 2" for epilepsy, for weakness and partial paralysis- one percent "Strychnine", in case of severe excitability - diphenhydramine with "Aminazine", benzonal, folic acid, sodium barbital. Intracranial pressure will help reduce 25% magnesium sulfate.

At skin lesion Plague causes blisters and crusts to appear on the skin, which must be treated with ointment containing antiseptic effect. To prevent your pet from scratching the sores and from licking off the ointment, you will need to wear protective collar. In severe cases, immunostimulants, antibiotics and vitamins are prescribed.

The dog fell ill with distemper. How to treat? Do not give your animal medicine from your first aid kit just in case it helps. All recommendations should only be given by a veterinarian. The article contains remedies for informational purposes only; your doctor will prescribe them. correct dosage and possibly other drugs.

Diet

We must not forget about special feeding during plague. Food should help boost immunity so that the body can fight harder:

• let's do more minced meat or finely chopped meat;
• raw egg - twice a week (during illness and during recovery);
• cottage cheese and kefir low-fat varieties;
• broths from meat and vegetables are required; if you cook porridge, then make it liquid, like soup;
• A decoction of motherwort must be poured into drinking water during damage to the nervous system.

Recovery after illness

We talked about how to treat distemper in dogs at home. As soon as your pet begins to recover, you should not give up a special diet that includes a lot of protein foods.

You cannot immediately send a dog back to the yard if it lives in a kennel or enclosure; the dog must fully recover. Do not chase your pet, do not overload on walks, everything should be kept to a minimum, you need to save energy.

Make sure your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean water. Wash the bowl regularly, because bacteria multiply quickly in dirty dishes, and the dog can catch another illness while the immune system is still weak.

The animal’s place of residence must be clean and dry in order to avoid pneumonia and bronchitis, which can occur during the recovery period after distemper. The room must be ventilated.

Veterinarians advise: in order not to expose your pet to the risk of infection with such serious illness Like the plague, get annual vaccinations. Today there is effective vaccine from distemper, with which you will not have to worry about the health and life of your pet.

Having suffered from distemper once, the animal will no longer be exposed to this dangerous, difficult curable disease. But there are many other, no less dangerous viruses. Therefore, do not forget to wash your pet’s paws and belly every time after a walk, do not let him pick up food on the street, always give him fresh food.

Canine distemper is a worldwide disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus from the paramyxovirus family. A number of animals can be affected by the disease, including dogs, wolves, coyotes, ferrets, skunks, raccoons, bears and even Asian elephants. Although animals of any age can become infected with distemper, the virus usually affects puppies under 6 months of age, especially between 6 and 12 weeks. Until this point, newborns are protected thanks to maternal antibodies. That is why vaccination can be carried out 6 weeks after birth. Puppies with weak immunity are at risk of contracting distemper if they are not given the appropriate vaccination. There is a high probability of illness in dogs in shelters and pet stores, where the conditions for keeping animals are far from ideal.

Distemper in a dog - how does the disease manifest itself?

Symptoms may be severe or mild. Sometimes the disease goes unnoticed or has subtle symptoms. Young puppies and old and sickly dogs usually suffer from sudden and severe manifestations of the disease. There is a certain scenario for the development of symptoms over time. The illness can last from 2 weeks to several months, depending on the health, state of the immune system and the age of the animal.

initial stage

The first signs of distemper in dogs appear in the form of a rise in temperature 3-6 days after infection, but this often goes unaddressed. Later, more noticeable symptoms appear: coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose (at first watery, and then thicker and stickier). Often the first thing to notice is a dry cough. Signs of distemper in dogs can be mistaken by owners for symptoms of a cold.

Main stage

Progressive disease is usually accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and drowsiness: at this stage there is a high likelihood of dehydration. In one of the scenarios, the signs of distemper in dogs become milder, and the animal recovers.

Neurological stage

In many cases, the disease does not develop into neurological symptoms: puppies and old, sickly dogs are primarily affected. Signs may appear several days or months after infection. They may include neck deformation, circling, sudden muscle twitching (often rhythmic), balance problems, episodes of excessive salivation, slurping, paralysis, and temporary blindness.

Long-term signs of distemper in dogs

Animals that survive distemper will be especially prone to the disease in the future. This is due to thinning of the skin on the pads and tip of the nose caused by the virus. Puppies have damage to tooth enamel and a tendency to caries and tooth decay. If signs of distemper in dogs develop up to the neurological stage, some of them may persist for the rest of life - for example, muscle spasms or blurred vision.

Canine plague is deadly dangerous disease, the risk of infection exists even among pets. 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 is completed fatal. 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 wildlife The disease occurs in ferrets, minks, 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 adult dog there is a significant chance of recovery after therapy.

Appearance of a sick dog



Causes of the disease

Carnivore plague is resistant to various physicochemical factors. Comfortable conditions for her are a temperature of -25 degrees. The virus enters 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 in 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. Domestic dog can drink water from a container from which infected animals have drunk. 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 have 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.
• Are sick hunting dogs during interaction with prey when it is captured.



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 light source. She hides in the darkest corner of the room and hides her muzzle.

The appearance of convulsions and paralysis indicates serious pathological processes nervous system. It is extremely rare to save a dog in this condition. Mortality due to paralysis accounts for 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. Appear nervous disorders, as a result of which psycho-emotional state the animal becomes unstable.

Forms of distemper in dogs:

1. 1. Pulmonary. Develops when the virus accumulates in 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. 2. Intestinal. Characteristic features is the presence of vomiting, yellowish diarrhea with a specific odor. Sometimes blood clots are visible in it and undigested food. Appears on the tongue white coating, and on the teeth dark spots. The animal becomes very weak due to the lack of food. Periodic loss of consciousness is observed.
3. 3. Skin. Has the most mild course And 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. 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 occurs hind limbs, seizure and death. 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. 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. 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. 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. Patients with canine distemper are prone to drinking plenty of fluids 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 the 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 for distemper in dogs is complex nature. On this moment There are 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. 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 and 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 is no problem with swallowing reflex will not be. 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. Study self-treatment is strictly prohibited, since the disease is difficult to recognize and differentiate. Carnivore plague is severe viral disease, cure him with folk remedies impossible. However, the 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 mating. 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 within 2 weeks negative consequences is not observed, then the vaccine is reintroduced. 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.