Can a Person Become Infected with Distemper from a Dog?

Symptoms and treatment of plague
Plague or distemper (Pestis) - a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, intoxication, damage to the skin and mucous membranes, respiratory and digestive organs in dogs. In some cases, it causes 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. 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 (Carré disease).

What is plague, how is it dangerous?

Distemper, or canine plague, is an infectious pathology that can simultaneously affect various systems and organs of a dog. The causative agent of the disease is paramyxovirus, which contains RNA. Due to its complex structure, the infection is resistant to external factors. It does not die at temperatures reaching 24 degrees below zero, and persists for a long time in the feces of a sick animal.

Upon entry into the body, the virus quickly enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout all organs and systems. It destroys healthy cells and creates conditions for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and internal poisoning of the body with toxins. In addition to distemper, a sick animal may develop other infectious pathologies.

What is plague?

Distemper in cats, also called panleukopenia and infectious parvovirus enteritis, is a contagious viral disease. Its causative agent is a DNA virus of the genus Parvoviridae. This pathology can affect all representatives of the cat family, without exception. Most often it is detected in the spring-summer season.

The mortality rate among kittens reaches 100%. The peculiarity of the causative agent of this disease is its high resistance to the influence of external factors. Parvovirus is capable of maintaining its virulence for 12 months, which contributes to the widespread spread of infection among cats. These pathogenic agents are resistant to most disinfectants and many enzymes, as well as ultraviolet radiation. This factor complicates the prevention and control of the disease.

The danger of the disease is that it:

• It is highly contagious, i.e. it is quickly transmitted from a sick animal to a healthy one.
• It is widespread.
• It has a high mortality rate - according to statistics, up to 92% of cat infections end in death. Kittens and pregnant cats are especially susceptible to parvovirus.

The source of infection is infected animals and virus carriers. Parvovirus is shed in saliva, urine and feces. Routes of infection with this disease:

• Oral, when the causative agent of the disease enters the cat’s oral cavity with saliva. This most often occurs by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
• Airborne, in which a healthy pet becomes infected when staying in the same room with an infectious animal.
• Contact. Infection occurs through contact with bowls, trays, toys and other objects of an infected individual. This can also occur through outdoor shoes, outerwear, and personal belongings of the owner of a sick pet.
• Intrauterine. Freely crossing the placental barrier, the virus penetrates the fetus. Kittens infected in this way die in the womb, mummifying or decomposing. If this does not happen and the cat gives birth to cubs, their lifespan is limited to 24–48 hours.
• Transmissible. Healthy pets become infected through the bites of fleas, bedbugs, and ticks, which are carriers of parvovirus.

Pathogen

The causative agent of canine plague is an RNA-containing morbillivirus, which contains two immunogen proteins that can cause a powerful elimination reaction in the body (elimination, destruction of a foreign compound). However, due to the presence of a ribonucleic acid molecule in the structure of the virus, it is integrated into the DNA of the host organism, providing itself with protection from suppression by the immune system.

The plague virus is resistant to prolonged exposure to low temperatures; it can remain viable for up to 5 years at -20°C. However, at +60 °C it dies in 30 minutes, and when boiled - instantly. Disinfectants destroy the virus quite quickly: solutions of Lysol, caustic soda, phenol and formalin - in 1-2 hours, and ultraviolet rays - within 30 minutes.

Can a cat get distemper through the air?

I have an unvaccinated adult cat living at home. I adopted a kitten, the kitten is suspiciously lethargic, lies all the time, does not play. The kitten is now in a separate room in quarantine, but my cat was in the same room with him for some time (without direct contact, my cat was in my arms the whole time). If it turns out that the kitten is sick with distemper, could he infect my cat? They didn’t touch each other, didn’t eat from the same bowl, didn’t go to the same tray, just breathed the same air in the room. Well, in general, they are in the same apartment. On the Internet they write differently, somewhere they write that distemper is transmitted only through contact with a sick animal, somewhere they write that it is simply transmitted through the air like the flu in people. I'm panicking, I don't see the vet until tomorrow. Tell me, who knows.

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I have yes. a friend brought a dog with distemper; another friend lived with me and had a kitten. when we separated, the dog was already adopted into another house, a friend’s kitten moved into the house with 2 more cats and died, infecting those 2 cats, as a result of which they also died. They started feeding, as I understood from the air, maybe through common bowls, that kitten was afraid of the dog and did not contact it.

I have yes. a friend brought a dog with distemper; another friend lived with me and had a kitten. when we separated, the dog was already adopted into another house, a friend’s kitten moved into the house with 2 more cats and died, infecting those 2 cats, as a result of which they also died. They started feeding, as I understood from the air, maybe through common bowls, that kitten was afraid of the dog and did not contact it.

What a horror! Can plague be treated?

As far as I know, an animal can become infected through contact: saliva (the kitten licks itself, you stroked it, did not sanitize your hands, stroked your kitten), genitourinary secretions (the cat washes the kittens), while playing with animals (contact with saliva is inevitable) In general, It’s a shame you don’t vaccinate your pet. Do you know how much dangerous infection for animals you bring home on your shoes?

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In general, if it really is plague, then the virus lives in an untreated room for a year or even more. After a diagnosed disease, it is not recommended to have an animal for 1 year. All this is no joke. Your unvaccinated cat has a lot of time to become infected later, God forbid, of course. You need to constantly disinfect everything, the virus is resistant to many disinfectants, except that chlorination is considered effective: 1 part chlorine to 32 parts water (safe dosage for cats), the virus is very hardy at low temperatures, only heating to 56 for 30 minutes will help. While there is no opportunity, take the drug “Gamavit” into service - Not an advertisement! Sold in veterinary pharmacies and in some cat and dog stores. You will give the injection intramuscularly yourself; if you don’t know how, ask someone. There is 1 cube per 1 kg. I think there are 10 in the ampoule. (pink liquid) I have saved more than one animal for them. It will be useful for both your cat for prevention and for a sick kitten. If the kitten is sick with a not so serious disease, then you will see for yourself how the kitten will come to life before your eyes (the drug involves all the immune processes in the animal’s body) May your pets be healthy!

And yes, burn, and don’t wash, everything that the sick kitten used. In general, don’t panic ahead of time and don’t abandon your sick baby, it still won’t save the situation, just disinfection is like in surgery. And buy Gamavit, as I wrote above.

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I have yes. a friend brought a dog with distemper; another friend lived with me and had a kitten. when we separated, the dog was already adopted into another house, a friend’s kitten moved into the house with 2 more cats and died, infecting those 2 cats, as a result of which they also died. They started feeding, as I understood from the air, maybe through common bowls, that kitten was afraid of the dog and did not contact it.

Then I fell. Cats and dogs do not have common infections, so don't blame the dog. Cats don't get distemper, panleukopenia does, dogs don't get it.

Then I fell. Cats and dogs do not have common infections, so don't blame the dog. Cats don't get distemper, panleukopenia does, dogs don't get it.

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Causes of disease in dogs

The factor leading to illness in dogs is contact with the pathogen. The virus is found in urine, feces, saliva, discharge from the eyes and nose, and the epithelium of a sick animal. The main causes of illness in pets:

• Direct contact with an infected person. A dog becomes infected when sniffing another dog, during a fight, when the saliva of a sick animal gets on it, or when it is bitten.
• Contact with objects used to care for another pet. To become infected, it is enough to eat from the patient’s bowl, sleep on his bedding, or play with his toy.
• Sniffing the secretions of a sick animal. The virus is often transmitted through feces.
• Contaminated food or water. Since the virus persists for a long time in the external environment, a dog can become infected by drinking water from an open source or picking up a treat on the street.
• Dirt brought by the owner on clothes and shoes.
• Puppies from an infected female. The possibility of vertical infection through the placenta was discovered relatively recently.

How cats become infected with distemper

Eliminating routes of infection means gaining a significant advantage in preventing the disease. Many people don’t even know whether cats get distemper. Your furry pets may develop panleukopenia. The main source of viral infection is feces, saliva, and mucous secretions of sick animals . Your pet doesn’t even have to come into contact with a living carrier of the virus. Distemper is transmitted in cats through contact with the external environment. The virus can enter the body even if the animal simply walked on the grass where a carrier of the virus had recently walked or by sniffing the feces of another cat.

Cats that have recovered from distemper remain carriers of the infection for about a year. They need to be isolated from other animals. It is impossible for a sick animal to give birth to kittens within a year after the disease has subsided. If this happens, the following scenarios are possible:

miscarriage; babies are stillborn; kittens are born alive but die within hours or days.

In addition, childbirth can be fatal for your pet’s weakened body.

What's happened

One of the most dangerous viral diseases, against which vaccines have been developed for dogs, cats and other pets. Vaccination is included in the list of mandatory and is carried out annually throughout life. Vaccinations for puppies according to age. The scientific name of the infection is paramyxovirus, which destroys, first of all, immune cells, and then organic tissues. Transmitted among all carnivorous animals.

In Russia, they learned about the disease back in 1762. The plague came from the Crimean peninsula, which is why it got the name “Crimean fever”. The study of the nature of the infection began in the 20th century, when the scientist Carre described it as a pneumatic lung disease, expressed by a rash, leading to complete damage to the central nervous system.

Dogs of any age are susceptible, especially those not protected by vaccination. The peak incidence occurs at 2-6 months, when the puppy has not yet developed the endocrine and immune systems. After weaning, the baby is protected for no longer than 2 weeks. After which the body needs stimulation of resistance. Breeders have developed a theory that artificially bred breeds become infected less frequently and are less susceptible to distemper. These include boxers and terriers.

The virus is killed by boiling, so for protection it is important to disinfect all your pet’s household items (toys, brushes, bowls). The most dangerous secretions from an infected dog are saliva, feces, and urine.

Is feline distemper transmitted to dogs?

Canine distemper is a very dangerous viral disease that is transmitted by air over long distances. It is especially dangerous for puppies and dogs with weakened immune systems.

More than half of sick animals cannot cope with this disease. Many remain disabled, as the central nervous system and other organs often suffer.

If you decide to get a dog, take care of its health in advance and take all the necessary preventive measures that will help save the life of your pet.

Length of incubation period

The danger of the disease is that the incubation period ranges from 2 to 40 days, so it is difficult to understand why the dog got sick. Most often, the first signs of plague appear 5–14 days after the virus enters the body. During this period, the pet looks healthy.

However, it is a source of infection for other animals. If several dogs live together in a house or apartment, when one gets sick, all the others get sick. It should be borne in mind that after recovery, the pet remains contagious for 1–3 months. During this period, he is isolated from other dogs.

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.

When skin lesions are caused by plague, blisters and crusts appear on the skin, which must be treated with an antiseptic ointment. To prevent your pet from scratching the sores and not licking the ointment, you will need to wear a 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 describes the remedies for informational purposes only; the doctor will prescribe the correct dosage and, possibly, other medications.

Types of plague and accompanying symptoms

Canine distemper in a dog can be determined by 5 characteristic symptoms: fear of bright light, lethargy, decreased appetite against the background of a twofold sharp increase and decrease in body temperature, uncharacteristically increased appetite at normal temperature, cough. However, plague can have several varieties, which are accompanied by specific symptoms. Let's consider each type of pathology.

Pulmonary type

In the pneumonic form of canine distemper, the main damage occurs to the respiratory system. The infection accumulates in the bronchi and lungs, causing severe pneumonia. Symptoms of pulmonary pathology in dogs:

• high body temperature;
• intense lingering cough;
• dyspnea;
• discharge of yellow or brown mucus from the nose;
• wheezing when inhaling and exhaling;
• trembling throughout the body;
• redness of the eyes;
• purulent discharge from the eyes;
• the appearance of ulcers on the eyelids.

Over time, the dog develops seizures, vomiting and diarrhea. With this form of the disease, the body temperature remains at 39.5 degrees for 10–14 days. Discharge from the nose and eyes thickens soon after its appearance, sticking together the eyelids and blocking the nasal passages. Nervous disorders appear 2 weeks after the first symptoms appear.

Intestinal plague

The intestinal form most often develops when the virus enters the dog's body through the digestive tract. The pet's mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract become inflamed and pain appears in the abdominal area. Symptoms of the pathology:

• lack of appetite, complete refusal to eat;
• inflammation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx and larynx;
• vomit;
• frequent loose stools;
• a sharp unpleasant odor from the mouth and feces;
• white coating on the tongue;
• darkening of areas of tooth enamel.

At the beginning of the disease, the dog regurgitates yellow mucus. His feces become liquid and contain particles of undigested food. After 1–3 days, vomiting intensifies, blood clots appear in the vomit, and blood appears in the stool. With the intestinal form of the pathology, the dog quickly becomes dehydrated.

Cutaneous form

The cutaneous type of canine distemper virus is considered the mildest. The disease is characterized by the appearance of rashes on different parts of the body:

• stomach;
• back;
• paw pads;
• nose;
• hips;
• ears.

Very quickly, a bubble with purulent contents appears in the center of the red rash, which soon bursts. In place of the abscess, ulcers appear, and when they dry out, dense crusts form (see photo). The danger of this subtype of pathology is the high probability of bacteria entering the wounds, which will lead to secondary infection with another infection. In some cases, the disease manifests itself in the formation of skin thickening on the pads of the paws and in the area of ​​the joints.

Nervous plague

With nervous distemper, the dog suffers from damage to the body's nervous system. The lack of treatment for other types of pathology most often leads to the addition of symptoms of the nervous form. If the virus affects the nervous system, the dog becomes aggressive or agitated. However, as his condition worsens, aggression gives way to complete apathy. Symptoms of nervous distemper:

• involuntary muscle contraction;
• convulsions;
• violation of orientation in space and coordination of movements;
• partial paralysis;
• epileptic seizures.

Distemper in cats - veterinarian answers to basic questions

What is distemper in cats?

Feline parvovirus enteritis or panleukopenia is a dangerous viral disease better known as distemper. Distemper in cats occurs as a result of the penetration of a highly contagious pathogen of viral etiology into the body. It primarily affects the animal's digestive tract, characterized by feverish conditions and problems in the respiratory system. At the same time, against the background of activation of the pathogen in the body, general intoxication is recorded.

The panleukopenia virus is a small DNA-containing virus, with a size of up to 25 nm. The pathogen has increased resistance to environmental factors. It can calmly withstand and remain infectious when exposed to a temperature of 60 degrees for 1 hour. It is resistant to digestive enzymes, chloroform and diethyl alcohol.

What are the symptoms of distemper in a cat?

There are several forms of panleukopenia in cats. There are fulminant, acute and chronic forms. Most often, distemper affects small kittens and it is in them that the fulminant form occurs, which is rarely treatable and ends in death. The death of the animal occurs on the third day after the onset of the viral disease.

In the chronic form of panleukopenia, there is a persistent disorder in the intestinal tissues, iron deficiency anemia and extreme depletion of the body. In the absence of timely assistance, the animal also dies from degenerative processes in the body.

Less commonly diagnosed is a latent form of feline distemper, which does not manifest itself with pronounced symptoms.

The main symptoms of acute panleukopenia are:

• increased body temperature;
• the animal's refusal to eat;
• the occurrence of nausea and vomiting (vomit is colored green or yellow, with admixtures of mucus or blood);
• the shade of urine changes - it becomes light orange or rich yellow;
• there is a change in the consistency of stool - liquid diarrhea, with a strong unpleasant odor, contains impurities of blood or fibrin strands;
• visible mucous membranes acquire a bluish tint;
• Inflammatory processes occur in the area of ​​the conjunctiva and nasal passages, characterized by the appearance of copious discharge.

In the absence of timely treatment, the animal dies after a few days. Old cats can die from pulmonary edema caused by pathological changes in the body against the background of panleukopenia.

How long does it take to treat distemper in cats?

Depending on the severity of the pathological process, the duration of treatment will depend. In the case of an acute form of the disease, the course of therapy takes from one week to 14 days.

The basis of the therapeutic course is the suppression of the activity of viral agents and the destruction of secondary microflora. Pathogenic bacteria lead to complications of the disease. Doctors are also developing a treatment regimen to restore the impaired water-electrolyte balance and eliminate dehydration.

The use of etiotropic therapy is of decisive importance in the development of treatment tactics. For these purposes, special substances are used that have a stimulating effect on humoral cellular immunity. Interferons that have proliferative and immunostimulating effects are used.

Is distemper transmitted to other animals?

Panleukopenia is only transmitted from cat to cat. Dogs and other pets are not at risk of contracting this disease. Dogs and minks have another, serologically similar type of virus that causes parvovirus enteritis. This infection is also highly contagious and is fatal in young, unvaccinated puppies.

Is plague transmitted to people?

Distemper in cats cannot be transmitted to humans. If you have a sick animal in your home, you should not worry about the risk of infection. Panleukopenia does not have a clear geographical location and can occur anywhere in the world where there are favorable conditions for the development of a viral agent.

It is noted that panleukopenia is characterized by seasonality. The outbreak of the disease occurs on the first warm days after winter frosts. It is during this period that most fatal cases of distemper are diagnosed in domestic cats.

Where could a cat become infected with distemper?

The main source of infection with panleukopenia is infected animals, as well as cats with latent disease. After an animal has suffered from distemper, it remains a carrier of the infection for a long time. Transmission of the pathogen occurs mainly through direct contact of a healthy, but not vaccinated animal with an infected one. Also, the causative agent of the disease gets into the vomit and feces of a sick animal, from where other cats become infected. Transplacental transmission of the causative agent of feline panleukopenia infection cannot be ruled out. This means that an infected mother can become a source of infection for her unborn kittens. In this regard, it is very important that the cat, before the planned mating, is treated for worms, ectoparasites and vaccinated.

How dangerous is distemper in cats?

Distemper in cats, if left untreated, is fatal. In some cases, if a small kitten is infected, it develops a fulminant form of the disease, which, even with timely treatment, ends in the death of the animal. The hyperacute form leads to serious disruptions in the functioning of the body. So, a sick cat loses its appetite and refuses water. There is severe fearfulness, vomiting with foam, white or yellow. If there are disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract, diarrhea with impurities of blood and mucus is observed. The skin loses its elasticity, the coat becomes disheveled and dull. The nervous form of plague leads to the appearance of tonic or clonic convulsions, often resulting in death. The animal dies within 1-2 days.

There are several forms of panleukopenia in cats. One of them is pulmonary. In this case, inflammatory processes develop in the area of ​​the upper part of the respiratory tract, then the bronchial tree and pulmonary structures are involved in the process. In the area of ​​the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, specific films of a purulent nature appear. Often, against the background of a prolonged course of the disease, ulcers and minor hemorrhages form. Reducing the clearance of the nasal passages due to swelling and accumulation of exudate leads to increased breathing and shortness of breath. Tissue structures throughout the body lack oxygen. The cat is breathing frequently and may cough and sneeze.

With panleukopenia, not only the gastrointestinal tract and pulmonary system are affected. The cardiovascular system also undergoes degenerative changes. So, if breathing is impaired, the heart rate changes, tachycardia develops and, as a result, extrasystole. In advanced forms of the disease, which are practically the first signs of death, the heart rhythm becomes weaker, bradycardia progresses, and heart failure occurs.

Does distemper vaccination help cats?

The only truly significant method of preventing a cat from becoming infected with distemper is vaccination. There are many different vaccines on the modern pharmacological market. A veterinarian will help you figure out which vaccine is right for your pet after a detailed clinical examination. Vaccination against panleukopenia makes it easier to survive the disease without complications even if infected.

It is not recommended to vaccinate exhausted and clinically ill animals. It is prohibited to vaccinate cats during the period of bearing kittens and while feeding them. Little ones should receive their first distemper vaccination at the age of 1.5 months. This period is the most dangerous for young animals, as the risks of infection and death are very high.

Animals are re-vaccinated 3 weeks after the first vaccination. Further revaccination is carried out according to the vaccination calendar annually. Before making a vaccine, the animal must be freed from possible helminthiasis or external parasites.

Does a recovered animal have immunity?

Unfortunately, a cat that has recovered from distemper has an immune response, but it is very weak. It is better to carry out routine vaccination. Strengthening the cat's immune system is also of particular importance. To do this, you need to take care of the proper organization of the animal’s diet. An integral part of preventing infection with various viral infections, including panleukopenia, is regularly enriching the diet with vitamin and mineral complexes.

In order to prevent infection of a pet, it is necessary to ensure that the animal does not come into contact with stray relatives or known sick cats. Since the main route of transmission of the virus is through contact, it is necessary to ensure that the cat does not come into contact with outdoor shoes. Don’t forget about scheduled medical examinations of your pet at a veterinary hospital.

Treatment of distemper in cats

There is no single, truly effective drug for the treatment of plague. Therefore, in veterinary medicine, to treat a viral infection caused by parvovirus, complex treatment is used aimed at destroying the pathogen. Further in the course of therapy, important places are occupied by eliminating signs of intoxication of the body, preventing the development of complications in the form of a bacterial infection and increasing the overall resistance of the body to the effects of various environmental factors.

The course of treatment and dosage of drugs is determined by the veterinarian based on the individual characteristics of the patient - his age, state of health and degree of advanced disease. Interferons are used as antiviral therapy, proving their effectiveness in the treatment of viral infections.

Symptomatic therapy allows you to restore the disturbed water-electrolyte balance and relieve intoxication. For this purpose, the animal is injected intravenously with various solutions with salts and minerals. Diuretics allow you to quickly remove toxins from the body resulting from the activity of viruses. Painful sensations in the gastrointestinal tract are eliminated by prescribing antispasmodics.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can prevent or eliminate the development of pathogenic bacterial microflora. As a rule, the entire course of treatment for uncomplicated panleukopenia takes about 2 weeks.

Symptoms and possible complications

For a positive prognosis, it is necessary to inject an antiviral drug as early as possible. The maximum effectiveness of the administered medication is achieved only in the first days after the onset of the disease. If you find at least one of the listed signs in your pet, contact a veterinary clinic immediately.

First signs

Drug therapy at the initial stage helps in 90% of cases. The first signs
of distemper in dogs include:

• disheveled wool;
• increased tearing of the eyes and the appearance of nasal discharge;
• swelling and redness of the eyes;
• fever and loss of appetite;
• apathy and depression;
• photophobia (the animal avoids sunlight and hides in dark places);
• cough;
• diarrhea with yellow excrement containing pieces of undigested food or blood clots.

The number and severity of symptoms varies individually. It depends on age, breed, immune status and many other factors. If signs of damage to the nervous system (convulsions, paralysis) are added to the listed symptoms, the chances of saving the pet are minimal, but it is still worth fighting for the dog’s life.

Which organs are most affected?

The greatest impact of distemper in dogs occurs on the respiratory tract, central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Negative consequences are possible even after recovery. Animals that have recovered from the disease may lose their vision and develop lameness along with epileptic seizures. Not all owners are ready to endure such consequences, therefore, when the spinal cord and brain are damaged, euthanasia is chosen.

Diagnostic methods

A qualified veterinarian is able to recognize the disease by its characteristic signs. When making a diagnosis, the specialist examines:

• state of the respiratory system;
• external symptoms of the pathology (eye inflammation, nasal discharge, spread of skin rash);
• neurological manifestations.

The dog's body temperature is measured with a rectal thermometer. In most cases, external symptoms are sufficient to diagnose pathology. However, the veterinarian may order additional tests:

• study of affected tissues under a microscope;
• blood test to detect antibodies to the virus;
• clinical blood test;
• biological study of nasal and eye discharge;
• stool analysis.

Additional diagnostic methods make it possible to exclude poisoning, hepatitis, rabies, and enteritis, since at the onset of the disease the symptoms of plague coincide with the signs of these pathologies. The examination is carried out quickly, because with carnivore plague, the clinical picture is constantly worsening.

Diagnosis of the disease

When a cat shows the first symptoms of this disease, you should immediately show it to a veterinarian. This is a very dangerous disease that threatens the pet’s life, so you should not try to treat it yourself. This can only be done after an accurate diagnosis has been made and a treatment regimen has been developed by the doctor.

Based on the data obtained, the doctor prescribes a series of diagnostic procedures for the four-legged patient. The materials for research are blood and feces. To identify the causative agents of plague, the following is carried out:

• Examination of stool for the presence of viral units. The procedure is carried out using the PCR method. It should be taken into account that the analysis can show a positive result even if the cat was vaccinated shortly before infection. That is why it is recommended to take the animal to the veterinary clinic with a passport, which indicates the dates of vaccination and other manipulations that are important in making a diagnosis.
• Clinical blood test. The main symptom of this disease is a significant decrease in the level of leukocytes.
• Examination of a smear of discharge from an animal's eyes.

In addition to the basic diagnostic procedures, differential diagnostics are required to exclude pathologies with similar symptoms: leukemia, intoxication of the body, pancreatitis, immunodeficiency, intestinal perforation. Only after an accurate diagnosis has been made, the veterinarian develops a treatment regimen.

Diagnostics

In addition to differential diagnosis, which excludes pathologies with similar symptoms, the veterinarian examines the dog and collects its medical history, asking the owner questions about the timing of vaccination and the composition of the drug, possible sources of infection, as well as the nuances of keeping, feeding and care.

Due to the many forms of manifestation of the virus, it is difficult to diagnose the disease without laboratory tests. As a rule, it is necessary to take a blood test and swabs from the eyes, nose, and mouth.

To identify a virus and determine its type, the following is used:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) of biological fluids;
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR);
• susceptibility test;
• tests to determine antigen in a dog’s blood;
• neutralization reaction;
• study of leukocyte blood count;
• studying urine sediment or cerebrospinal fluid.

Reference! The choice of laboratory diagnostic methods is within the competence of the veterinarian.

How to treat?

When the first questionable symptoms appear, the owner needs to take the pet for examination to a veterinarian. In most cases, to make an accurate diagnosis, confirm or exclude the disease, a physiological examination of the animal, a blood test and a study of the composition of discharge from the nose and eyes is sufficient.

To determine the form of the virus and select the most appropriate treatment regimen, the veterinarian may prescribe the following laboratory tests:

• linked immunosorbent assay;
• polymerase chain reaction;
• susceptibility test;
• test for the presence of animal antigen in the blood.

Each of these tests is highly accurate and efficient, so any of them can be used to make a diagnosis.

The doctor decides how to treat distemper after assessing the general condition of the animal and taking into account the form of the disease. Animals suffering from Carré's disease are always prescribed complex therapy, including not only drug treatment, but also the use of other methods. For example, sick animals are often given a blood transfusion from a dog that has had this disease or a special serum is injected.

The medicine is the processed blood of a dog that has developed immunity to distemper. It is administered three times, 1-2 times a day. The most commonly used drugs are Gixan and Avirokan. But it is worth considering that this method of treatment is effective only at the initial stage of the disease. If the owner brings the pet to the clinic when the disease is in an advanced state, the chances of healing will be minimal.

Prozerin

Treatment of plague at home is most often carried out using special medications, which are selected taking into account the symptoms that appear. What to do, what medications to use and in what dosage should be decided by the doctor, and only the doctor. The most commonly used medications are:

• Mykodalm is a drug that eliminates seizures in mice;
• Proserin – minimizes the severity of paresis, prevents the development of complications due to the lesion;
• Aminazine – helps normalize the functioning of the central nervous system;
• Novocaine – reduces painful symptoms;
• Gentamicin – fights pathogenic microorganisms, prevents their reproduction;
• Ringer's solution - used to combat intoxication;
• Immunofan - stimulate the immune system of a sick animal.

To increase the likelihood of recovery, most veterinarians advise giving your pets B vitamins (if possible, it is better to give injections).

B vitamins

In parallel with drug therapy, you can resort to folk remedies. The following medications are considered the most effective:

1. Decoctions based on chamomile, motherwort and St. John's wort. Activate the immune system and fight inflammation. You need to give your pet such decoctions every day, 2 times a day.
2. A mixture of vodka and honey. Treatment of distemper in dogs with vodka is particularly popular and effective. To prepare the medicine, you need to mix 100 ml of high-quality vodka with 20 g of fresh linden honey and a raw chicken egg. The resulting components must be mixed and the mixture poured into the dog’s mouth using a rubber bulb.

It is worth considering that such methods give results only in the initial stages of the disease. If the pet has been sick for a long time, and its immune system is severely weakened, such therapy can only worsen the situation.

To speed up the recovery process, it is also worth remembering and adhering to the following recommendations:

• a sick dog should be kept in a warm and dry room (the animal’s bedding should be regularly treated to remove bacteria);
• the owner needs to disinfect the animal’s bowls several times a day;
• since when a dog becomes ill, it becomes sensitive to bright light, it is better to keep it in a darkened room;
• If ulcers and purulent discharge appear on the skin, the affected areas should be treated with an antiseptic twice a day.

Most veterinarians also recommend putting your pet on a special liquid diet. During this period, it is best to feed the dog meat broths with the addition of cereals and vegetables.

On a note! It is not recommended to feed the animal on the first day of illness. The only thing you can give on this day is water.

Modern methods of treatment

Many cats suffer from distemper today. The virus spreads quickly, can remain outside the cell for a long time and does not lose viability under extreme conditions. All treatment for this disease is aimed at overcoming the symptoms, preventing the destruction of organs and loss of their functions, and also helping the cat’s immune system cope with the disease.

Veterinarians are prohibited from starting treatment for distemper in a cat on their own, as this often leads to the death of the animal. Only a specialist, after a thorough examination, can determine the severity of organ damage by the virus and prescribe the safest treatment. An ordinary person without veterinary education cannot know how to treat distemper in cats. The disease is very serious and often leads to the death of pets, so the course of drugs is always prescribed individually.

In order to competently draw up a treatment program, you need to have the appropriate education, but on your own you will only do harm. Don't trust online sources. In addition, it is unlikely that you will be able to properly administer the treatment, since many drugs are administered through an intravenous drip.

Disease prognosis

Distemper in dogs is considered a deadly disease. Depending on the type of pathology, the dog’s immunity and the length of the period between infection and the start of therapy, the mortality rate is 25–75%. The virus is most dangerous for puppies under one year of age. However, even in case of cure, dogs often experience the following consequences of the pathogen’s influence on the body:

• blurred vision or blindness;
• deafness;
• partial paralysis;
• mental disorders;
• deterioration of tooth enamel;
• decreased sense of smell;
• epilepsy.

Prevention and vaccination

The most effective measure to prevent distemper in dogs is vaccination. As a result of this procedure, stable immunity to the pathogen is developed. The first vaccination is carried out after 2.5 months, but the appearance of an immune response is noted only after revaccination. It is carried out a month after the main vaccination.

The duration of protection against paramyxoviruses depends on the active substance in the selected vaccine: weakened or killed virus. In the first case, the effect lasts for a year, in the second – about six months. Here you have to choose between duration and possible complications. The introduction of a weakened virus is often accompanied by an increase in temperature and the formation of swelling. The first days after vaccination protect your pet from intense exercise, stress and low temperatures.

When revaccinating, it is recommended to use the same vaccines. This helps avoid conflicting viral strains. The most popular vaccines include Multikan-6, Nobivak DHPPi and Eurikan DHPPi2-L. Vaccinations are contraindicated in lactating, pregnant, sick and weakened animals.

Compliance with the vaccination schedule is not a panacea, but a reliable method of prevention to avoid complications during infection. To reduce the likelihood of possible infection, it is recommended:

1. Do not allow your pet to drink from puddles or sniff other people's feces or unowned objects. This point can only be dealt with by studying the basic prohibition commands. If you can’t do this on your own, sign up for a UGS (controlled city dog) or OKD (general training course) course.
2. Wash your paws after every walk. The same goes for washing your own shoes.
3. Fortify your diet and keep it balanced. The relationship between strong immunity and quality nutrition is obvious. Do not save at the expense of the health of your four-legged pet.
4. Avoid prolonged absence of cleaning. Disinfection with special means is the best way to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
5. Do not allow communication with unknown animals. The absence of external symptoms does not guarantee safety.

If your pet is already sick, direct all your efforts to destroy the virus indoors. To treat your home, it is recommended to use boiling water, steam, a solution of Lysol or bleach.

If an infected pet dies, do not rush to get a new one. After death, you will have to get rid of all personal belongings and quarantine for six months. Only after this can a new animal that has been vaccinated be allowed into the house. During this time, the virus will die without a carrier and will not harm the new family member.

Prevention

Timely vaccination of puppies and adults is the main and most effective preventive measure. The first vaccination is given to the baby at 1.5-2 months, revaccination is carried out after 4 weeks. Adult pets are vaccinated annually at the same time, using the following drugs: Multikan, Nobivac, Eurikan, etc.

Plague is one of the most serious diseases among those that can damage the health of a pet. Along with enteritis and rabies, the disease is caused by a virus and can be fatal. Take your pet's health responsibly, do not forget to get vaccinations on time and do not allow your dog to come into contact with animals sick with distemper.

Additionally, check out the video about distemper in dogs, symptoms and treatment at home:

Can a person get distemper from a pet?

The type of virus that causes distemper in dogs is not dangerous to humans, so it is impossible to get infected from a pet. Also, canine distemper is not dangerous for cats, parrots and hamsters. However, when a sick dog appears in the house, it is necessary to observe safety measures:

• handle the animal's skin with gloves;
• wash your hands after touching the dog’s household items;
• protect other pets from the sick person.

These precautions are aimed at protecting against infections that can accompany the plague. For people, the main danger is bacteria that cause inflammatory processes on the skin.

Can a vaccinated dog get distemper?

Unfortunately, the likelihood of contracting a deadly virus is high even if you protected your pet by taking him to the vet on time. Not a single drug existing today provides 100% protection against infection - especially if you did not follow the rules for preparing for vaccination. Also at risk are puppies – their bodies are not yet strong enough.

Distemper poses the least danger to vaccinated adult animals. However, you should not forget about prevention and hope that today or tomorrow you will be “carried away” - do not forget that contact between your pet (not only fights, but even simple curiosity towards their own kind) with mongrels is undesirable. Take your puppy for vaccination, and then give the injection again to reduce the risk of infection.

We recommend reading: Distemper in Cats Treatment

Features of canine plague

Distemper can have different forms of dislocation; it affects the skin, nervous, pulmonary and intestinal areas. It is worth noting that each type does not manifest itself separately, all areas are affected together.

The duration of the disease and the stages of its development depend on a number of factors.

1. If the disease develops unnoticed, there may be no clinical signs at all. The dog will die after 1-2 days. The hyperacute form manifests itself in a complete refusal to eat, an increase in body temperature to 39 degrees. Coma sets in and the animal dies within 3 days.
2. In 20% of cases, acute plague can be cured. All of these symptoms are eliminated, but the dog’s body will not be able to function properly. The animal partially loses hearing, vision, and sense of smell, and mental disorders and nervous tics begin.
3. The plague can develop into a chronic disease that lasts for months. The animal gradually “fades away”; symptoms periodically appear and then disappear. Ultimately, the slow progression of the disease ends in death.
4. The disease does not spare any of the specific systems of the animal’s body. The dog jerks its limbs violently, often has seizures, and the brain, heart, and liver are affected.

how to remove fleas from a dog

How does a dog become infected?

How can you become infected with plague:

• contact with a sick animal;
• common items;
• contact with a dog that has recently suffered from a disease;
• sexually;
• during pregnancy, the mother transmits the virus to the unborn puppy;
• through waste products (the virus lives for six months and is not afraid of cold and sun).

The virus penetrates through the mucous membranes of the animal, mainly the mouth and nose. The pathogen can also enter the animal’s body through the ears. Not only sick animals, but also insects and earthworms can be active carriers.

Attention! An animal without signs of distemper can already infect another dog.

The disease begins to appear on the fifth day. Let's look at the early signs of distemper, which may alert you and promptly contact a veterinarian:

• the dog starts to get bored;
• the pet gets tired quickly;
• shows no interest in food.

If you contact a specialist at this stage, the probability that you will save the animal will be close to 90%.

The owner ignores the first manifestations, the disease begins to move into the next stage. Signs of the second stage:

• increased body temperature;
• conjunctivitis;
• slight nasal discharge;
• diarrhea;
• the wool becomes unusable;
• the animal refuses to eat at all;
• drinks little;
• hiding in a dark place.

Usually the disease lasts for about a month. It is difficult to independently determine the cause of an animal’s poor health, since the symptoms can be completely different. It depends on where the outbreak is located:

• in the lungs;
• in the intestines;
• on the skin;
• in the nervous system;
• in the throat.

The duration of the disease may also differ depending on the complexity of the course:

1. The animal dies within 24 hours. Symptoms of the disease do not even have time to appear.
2. Death occurs on the third day. Symptoms: very high temperature, the dog completely refuses to eat, a coma sets in and the animal dies.
3. Acute form. The dog shows all the signs of the disease. Timely treatment saves her life, but problems with hearing, vision, central nervous system, and stomach may arise. The disease can affect any organ.
4. Chronic form. The disease makes itself felt from time to time for six months. But in the end, the dog still dies.

If you still suspect that your pet has contracted this terrible disease, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Only he, based on the general condition of the animal, will be able to prescribe complex therapy. There is no one magic pill that will immediately get your dog back on his feet.

Under no circumstances should you self-medicate! Medicines are dosed according to the dog's age and weight. Vitamins are prescribed to boost immunity.

Caring for your pet is extremely important. Create the necessary comfortable conditions for him:

1. The place where the sick animal is located must be clean and dry. Eliminate the possibility of drafts.
2. Close the curtains, the dog reacts very painfully to light.
3. Carry out hygiene procedures, wipe your eyes and remove nasal discharge.
4. Prepare food that is easily digestible, for example, cereals, soups, and definitely meat.

This is a terrible virus that affects any organ of the animal, leading the dog to paralysis and death.

Prevention of distemper in dogs

The main preventive measure is timely vaccination of the dog against infectious pathologies. The first distemper vaccination is given to puppies at the age of 2 months. After 14 days, the vaccine is reintroduced. Adult dogs receive preventive vaccinations every 12 months. A vaccinated dog can get this disease, but will experience it in a mild form. Other preventative measures include:

• exclusion of contact with stray dogs;
• refusal to meet with dogs who have suffered from the disease in the previous 3 months or are currently being treated;
• strict control over the pet’s behavior during walks (prohibit licking and sniffing feces, plants, drinking water from a puddle);
• periodically washing the dog's bedding in hot water;
• thoroughly wiping paws after walking.

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Complications of plague

Untimely or improper treatment of distemper leads to the death of the dog. Even with proper treatment, a dog after distemper has reduced immunity. This leads to the following consequences:

• partial or complete deafness;
• blindness;

One of the complications of plague is blindness.

• epilepsy;
• muscle paresis;
• meningitis.

The main way to prevent the problem is distemper vaccination.

Vaccination of dogs against distemper

Treatment of this disease of carnivores in many cases ends sadly, so preventive measures are the best option for people who care about the reliable protection of their four-legged pets. Imported drugs are used (Kanvak 8 DHPPILrong, VANGARD - 5/CV-L Plus, Hexadog) or locally produced drugs (Vakchum, KF-668). High-quality vaccination against distemper for domestic dogs is carried out from a young age in optimal periods strictly established by specialists:

• babies 3 months of age;
• young dogs at 6 months;
• annual vaccinations for adults.

Diet

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

• give more minced meat or finely chopped meat;
• raw egg - twice a week (during illness and during recovery);
• low-fat cottage cheese and kefir;
• 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.

Stories from owners and veterinarians

Stepan Petrovich, owner of a shepherd dog: “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! Distemper is a fatal disease; people like this are not to be trifled with and there is no time for experiments. Even a correctly selected professional treatment regimen does not always provide a guaranteed 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.”

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