Can dogs heal from distemper?

In the corridor of the pet hospital late at night, the incandescent lamp glowed coldly, and the golden retriever "Pudding" lay weakly on the examination table. His twitching body and cloudy eyes made his owner's hand holding the bill tremble slightly. Canine distemper, a name that makes countless pet owners shudder, hangs over the hearts of dogs and owners like a dark cloud. When the doctor said "the cure rate is not high", many owners were still unwilling to give up a glimmer of hope - can dogs really recover from canine distemper? This battle with the god of death not only tests medical technology, but also carries the deep bond between humans and pets that transcends species. ​

Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by the canine distemper virus, which is a "life threat" to canines. The virus is transmitted through the air or directly contacted. Once it invades the dog's body, it will quickly attack the immune system, respiratory system, digestive system and nervous system. In the early stage of the disease, dogs will have cold-like symptoms: fever, runny nose, cough, which are easily ignored by the owner. As the disease progresses, the virus begins to wreak havoc in the body, causing vomiting, diarrhea, erythema on the skin, and the most terrible thing is that the nervous system is damaged, leading to convulsions, ataxia and even coma. According to statistics from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, the mortality rate of untreated canine distemper is as high as 80%. Even with modern medical intervention, the comprehensive cure rate is only between 30% and 50%. Behind this set of cold data are the worries and expectations of countless owners. ​

However, the resilience of life is often beyond imagination. Many dogs have successfully overcome the disease under scientific treatment and careful care. The key to treating canine distemper is "early detection and early intervention". Once the dog is suspected of infection, it must be sent to the hospital for virus testing immediately. After the diagnosis is confirmed, specific antibodies and interferons must be used first to inhibit virus replication. These drugs are like "antiviral pioneers" that can suppress the momentum of the virus in time before it proliferates wildly. At the same time, for the symptoms of fever, dehydration, secondary infection, etc. in dogs, antipyretic drugs, infusion therapy and antibiotics are needed to maintain the basic functions of the body. One owner's Schnauzer received two weeks of intravenous injection and nebulization treatment at the early stage of diagnosis, successfully controlling the virus in the embryonic stage and eventually recovering smoothly.

During the treatment process, neurological symptoms are the most difficult problem of canine distemper. When the virus erodes the brain nerves, the dog will have uncontrolled convulsions, drooling, and even unable to eat on its own. At this time, anticonvulsant drugs and nerve nutrition drugs become the "last line of defense" to protect life. But these drugs can only relieve symptoms, but cannot reverse nerve damage. Many recovered dogs will leave permanent sequelae-slight shaking when walking, and occasionally uncontrollably tilting their heads. Even so, it is a great fortune for the owner and the dog to snatch life back from the hands of death. A border collie that was once judged by doctors to have "little hope of survival" miraculously stood up again after the owner insisted on massaging the paralyzed hind legs every day and assisting in eating. Although the steps are no longer vigorous, the appearance of wagging the tail still makes the owner burst into tears. ​

In addition to medical means, nursing plays a vital role in the treatment of canine distemper. Sick dogs are weak and need a warm and quiet environment to recuperate. The owner should wipe the dog's eye and nose secretions with warm water to keep the airway open; use a syringe or pet bottle to patiently feed nutritional paste and liquid food to ensure sufficient calorie intake. Some dogs will refuse to eat during the illness, and the owner even needs to mash the food into a paste and feed it through a nasogastric tube. This meticulous care is the warmest "healing power" besides medicine. There was an owner who got up early every morning for a month to measure the dog's body temperature and feed it. With her persistence, the dying Chihuahua gradually recovered. ​

Whether a dog can recover from canine distemper depends not only on the severity of the disease and the treatment plan, but also on the owner's faith and companionship. Faced with a long treatment cycle and high medical expenses, many owners choose to do their best to protect their fur children. They run between pet hospitals and work units, and pray silently in front of the sickbed late at night, just to give the dog a little more hope of life. This love that transcends species can sometimes create miracles. Dogs that survive canine distemper may have sequelae, but they still wag their tails and rub their palms to say "thank you for never giving up" to their owners. ​

The road to curing canine distemper is full of thorns, but the tenacity of life and the power of love are never absent. Every dog ​​that overcomes canine distemper is a brave warrior fighting against death; every owner who never leaves is a guardian who creates miracles. This life-and-death test not only allows us to witness the progress of modern veterinary medicine, but also makes us understand that in the bond between people and pets, love and persistence are always the most powerful weapons. When the dog runs happily in the sun again, the pain and suffering that once existed have turned into the most precious medals in life.