Identification

• Canine distemper is a type of viral illness that is highly contagious between dogs and puppies; this disease may also infect wild animals such as foxes, wolves, raccoons, ferrets, skunks and minks. Once a dog has become infected with canine distemper, the virus begins to attacks numerous systems in the body, including the respiratory, neurological and gastrointestinal systems.
  
  

Symptoms

• A mild fever is often the first sign of distemper infection in dogs. The first fever is followed by a secondary fever a few days later that often appears with additional symptoms such as eye and nose discharge and lack of appetite. Next, symptoms in the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems appear and include coughing, vomiting and diarrhea.
  
  After the virus has attacked the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, it moves on to the brain. Neurological symptoms such as confusion, paralysis of the hind legs, difficulty walking, muscle tremors, excess salivation, chewing movements (known as "chewing-gum fits") and seizures. In some dogs, the pads of the feet and nose may also become thickened and calloused.
  
  

Time Frame

• According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the first symptom of fever associated with distemper usually appears three to six days after the dog has become infected with the virus, and the second fever generally lasts for less than a week. Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms may last a minimum of 10 days, but neurological symptoms may not begin to appear until weeks or months after the initial infection. The time frame of the infection varies; some dogs are able to recover in a matter of weeks, while others struggle with the remains of neurological effects for years after their body has cleared the virus.
  
  

Risks

• Distemper may be fatal to dogs, especially to young puppies or dogs with impaired immune systems. The highly contagious nature of this disease and its severe symptoms are a special concern for people who are breeding dogs, rescue groups, humane shelters and for households that have more than one dog. Fortunately, an effective canine distemper vaccine can virtually eliminate a dog's chances of becoming infected with the virus.
  
  

Warning

• Distemper is an extremely contagious and aggressive virus. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, or if you suspect your dog has been exposed to the distemper virus, isolate your dog from any other dogs and contact your veterinarian at once. Early supportive treatments can help to reduce severe symptoms and neurological effects, avoid possible fatalities associated with distemper and reduce any further infections in other dogs or puppies within the home.