Canine distemper incubation period

The incubation period of canine distemper is generally 3-6 days. If the source of infection is a heterogeneous animal, the incubation period may be extended to 1-3 months.

Early Symptoms of Canine Distemper

Early stage of the disease: The affected dog shows watery secretions from the eyes and nose, and the body temperature is as high as above 40 degrees Celsius, lasting for about 2-3 days. After eating a little, the temperature is close to normal. The sick dog seems to be getting better, leading to serious symptoms. If some dog owners let down their vigilance, they can find it very easy to cure. This was followed by a second rise in body temperature, which lasted for several weeks. At this time, the inflammation of the respiratory tract and digestive tract became more obvious. This situation usually lasts for 1-2 weeks, with dry cough.

Mid-term symptoms of canine distemper

The body temperature of sick dogs rises, but generally it does not exceed 41 degrees Celsius. There are also some sick dogs whose body temperature rises sometimes and sometimes becomes normal. Most of them are depressed, good and bad sometimes, and a few are normal. The symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are obvious, including shortness of breath or mild difficulty, and slightly heavy breathing. Some sick dogs drool, have dry (or keratinized) or normal noses, are warm to touch, and have turbid white serous nasal discharge or yellow-green purulent nasal discharge. In severe cases, the nostrils are blocked. Sneezing, coughing, and expectoration are common, and coughing may be accompanied by vomiting. Mild pulmonary fluid accumulation, wet rales can be heard on lung auscultation. The conjunctiva becomes flushed and purulent secretions increase. In severe cases, the upper and lower eyelids may be stuck together. Eyelid swelling, photophobia, keratitis, and dull eyes. Pale mucous membranes, mild to moderate anemia, oral ulcers, and erosion of the corners of the mouth can be seen.

Late symptoms of canine distemper

As the body temperature increased for the second time and did not drop, the condition further worsened and the fever continued. The secreted pus will cover the eyes, and the eyes will stick together and cannot be opened. Eye injuries in some dogs are clinically characterized by conjunctivitis and keratitis (keratitis is mostly seen about 15 days after onset, and the cornea turns white). In severe cases, corneal ulcers, perforations, and blindness may occur. Symptoms of canine distemper in the middle and late stages include papules, vesicles, etc. on the skin of the sick dog's abdomen or medial thighs. Some may form hoof sclerosis. Clinically, neurotic canine distemper occurs in cases of foot pad keratosis and nose keratosis. Frequent occurrence of heat symptoms. Symptoms vary depending on where the canine distemper virus attacks the central nervous system. Toxic damage to the brain manifests as epilepsy, circling, abnormal standing posture, unsteady gait, paroxysmal twitching of masticatory muscles and limbs and other symptoms of neurological canine distemper. The prognosis of this type of neurological canine distemper is usually poor. Symptoms of cough, tracheitis, and pneumonia often occur, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. occur from time to time, loss of appetite or not eating at all, and the body gradually loses weight. This situation usually lasts for more than one month.