Canine distemper is a malignant infectious disease that is most dangerous to dogs and has the highest fatality rate besides rabies. When the clinical symptoms are obvious and the diagnosis is confirmed, especially when neurological symptoms appear, the cure rate is basically 10%. None. Since the owner has emotional factors, it is difficult to decide whether to continue treatment or give up treatment at this time. So how to evaluate and who will decide life and death? This is a very realistic topic.

Overview of canine distemper

Canine distemper, commonly known as canine distemper, is a serious canine disease that mainly harms puppies. The pathogen is canine distemper virus. Sick dogs are characterized by biphasic fever, rhinitis, severe digestive tract disorders and respiratory inflammation. Encephalitis may occur in a few cases.

Cause analysis

Various secretions and excretions of sick dogs (nasal juice, saliva, tears, pericardial fluid, pleural effusion, ascites and urine) as well as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, spinal cord and other organs contain a large amount of viruses, and can It is detoxified to the outside world with respiratory secretions and urine. Respiratory or digestive tract infection occurs when healthy dogs come into direct contact with sick dogs or through contaminated air or food. In addition to immunocompromised puppies who are most susceptible to infection, foxes and minks among fur animals are also very susceptible to canine distemper.

Clinical symptoms

The incubation period of canine distemper is 3-9 days. Symptoms vary and are related to the intensity of virulence, environmental conditions, age and immune status. Respiratory tract and digestive tract problems usually occur, and respiratory symptoms are the most common clinical symptoms.

Neurological symptomatic canine distemper mostly appears about 10 days after the above symptoms. Clinically, neurological symptoms frequently occur in cases of footpad keratosis and nasal keratosis. Symptoms vary depending on where the canine distemper virus attacks the central nervous system. The virus damages the brain and manifests as epilepsy, circling, abnormal standing posture, unsteady gait, ataxia, paroxysmal twitching of masticatory muscles and limbs and other neurological symptoms.

Especially dogs that have not been vaccinated. Despite clinical symptomatic treatment, the progression of the disease is difficult to control, and most patients die from neurological symptoms and failure. Dogs that partially recover generally have varying degrees of sequelae.

Popular Features

This disease can occur throughout the year, but is more common in winter and spring. The disease has a certain periodicity, with a pandemic occurring every three years. Dogs of different ages, genders and breeds can be infected, but underage puppies are the most susceptible. Purebred dogs and police dogs are more susceptible than native-bred dogs, and have severe disease reactions and higher mortality rates. Once canine distemper is found in dogs living in the same room, no matter how strict protective measures are taken, the dogs living in the same room cannot be prevented from being infected.

Factors affecting healing

1. Immunization status Dogs that have completed the immunization program, whether active or passive immunization, can reduce the symptoms of the disease.

2. Treatment timing: Because the symptoms of canine distemper in the early stages are similar to those of a common cold, it is easy to delay the best control and treatment opportunities for the disease.

Treatment Plan

The therapeutic effect of canine distemper is closely related to the establishment of a treatment plan. An appropriate treatment plan should embody the basic principles of "treating both the symptoms and root causes" and combining pathogenic therapy and symptomatic therapy. Clinically, it is necessary to combine traditional Chinese and Western medicine for treatment, pay attention to warmth and care, and pay attention to strengthening nutrition.

Relapse and reinfection

Generally speaking, recovered dogs will be immune for life. However, due to a damaged immune system, dogs need a longer period of conditioning, and the dog's exercise time and intensity should be gradually increased while fully ensuring nutrition.

Can canine distemper be transmitted to humans?

This is an issue that many friends are very concerned about. Although this virus has a high probability of being transmitted between dogs, due to the specificity of the virus among different species, it will not be transmitted to humans. It is only spread between dogs. Therefore, it is very important to immunize your dog early and regularly.

Note:

Dogs are animals with lively temperaments. Even if they are reunited with their owners for a short time, they usually use strong body language to express their longing and attachment to their owners. Therefore, it is difficult for dog owners to detect the early symptoms of canine distemper and miss the best opportunity for canine distemper treatment. When your dog has canine distemper and is in the early stages of symptoms, the dog still does not affect eating and is lively and active, but the nose starts to dry. Although many reasons can cause dry nose. If your dog has no internal or external injuries, and you have taken effective management measures after noticing that your dog’s nose is dry and cracked, but your dog’s nose is still not moist, is getting thinner and has dull fur, then please pay attention. The dog may already have early symptoms of canine distemper!

All dog owners who have suffered from canine distemper virus will be impressed by the power of canine distemper virus. Therefore, it is better to believe that it exists, diagnose and treat it in time, nip the virus in the dog in the bud, and enhance the immune function of the dog. , never miss the best opportunity to treat canine distemper! Canine distemper has a long course and poor physical fitness. Nursing work is particularly important during the mid-term treatment of canine distemper.

Warm reminder:

The probability of curing canine distemper is very low, and because it requires the use of biological products such as antibodies, the cost of treatment is usually high. So how do we decide whether to treat or not to treat? We recommend that in the early stages of the disease, we should actively cooperate with the doctor to use a combination of Chinese and Western medicine to comprehensively treat canine distemper. Systematic treatment, pay attention to care and nutrition. If it is in the middle and late stages, especially when typical pneumonia or neurological symptoms, convulsions or beating of the cerebral hemisphere on the top of the head occur, the possibility of cure is generally extremely low. Even if a few people survive, they will leave serious sequelae and affect their quality of life. Therefore, at this time, we recommend that doctors clearly inform the owner, negotiate, and consider the possibility of comfort.