How can I treat my dog distemper at home?

When the owner learns that the dog has canine distemper, it is as if he has encountered a bolt from the blue. Canine distemper, a highly contagious disease caused by the canine distemper virus, not only seriously threatens the health of the dog, but also always worries the owner. Many times, due to the limitations of practical conditions, some owners will choose to care for and treat the dog at home. Although home treatment is challenging, as long as the method is scientific and full of care, it can still bring hope of recovery to the dog. ​

The canine distemper virus is extremely "cunning", and the initial symptoms of infection are similar to the common cold and are easy to be ignored. The dog may have symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and become listless and have a significantly decreased appetite. As the disease progresses, the virus will gradually erode the dog's respiratory tract, digestive tract and nervous system, causing more serious symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, thickening of the foot pads, etc. These symptoms not only cause great pain to the dog, but also make the owner feel distressed. ​

If you decide to treat canine distemper at home, you must first create a warm, quiet and comfortable living environment for the dog. During the illness, the dog is weak and has a reduced immunity. It needs adequate rest to fight the virus. We can prepare a soft doghouse for the dog and lay a warm mat to prevent it from directly contacting the cold ground to prevent the condition from worsening. At the same time, keep the indoor air circulating, open the window regularly for ventilation, and reduce the growth of bacteria. But be careful to avoid the dog from being blown directly by the cold wind to prevent catching a cold. ​

Drug treatment is a key link in the home treatment of canine distemper. Antiviral drugs can inhibit the replication of canine distemper virus and slow down the progression of the disease. Common antiviral drugs include ribavirin, interferon, etc. When using, be sure to strictly follow the advice of the veterinarian and determine the dosage according to the dog's weight and condition. Do not increase or decrease the dosage on your own. In addition, the dog's immunity is low during the illness, which is prone to bacterial infection. Therefore, under the guidance of the veterinarian, it is necessary to use antibiotics reasonably to prevent and treat secondary infections. Antipyretics are also essential drugs for home treatment. When the dog's body temperature exceeds 39.5℃, antipyretics can be used under the advice of the veterinarian to help the dog lower its body temperature and relieve discomfort. ​

Nutritional support is essential for the recovery of dogs with canine distemper. During illness, dogs' appetite usually decreases significantly, but adequate nutritional intake is the basis for physical recovery. We can choose nutritious and easily digestible foods, such as chicken breast, beef, fish, etc., cook them and cut them into small pieces for dogs to eat. You can also buy special pet nutritional paste to replenish energy and nutrition for dogs. For dogs with severe loss of appetite, you can also try to use a syringe or dropper to slowly feed food and water into the dog's mouth to ensure that it gets enough nutrition and water. ​

Closely observing the changes in the dog's condition is an important task for home treatment. Measure the dog's body temperature regularly every day, and record its mental state, appetite, defecation and urination. Once the dog's condition worsens, such as continued increase in body temperature, difficulty breathing, and increased convulsions, it should be taken to the pet hospital immediately for professional treatment. During the treatment process, the dog may be depressed due to physical discomfort. At this time, the owner's company and encouragement are particularly important. We can touch the dog more and communicate with it softly, so that it can feel the owner's love and support, and enhance its confidence in defeating the disease.​

The treatment of canine distemper is a long and difficult battle, which requires the owner to devote a lot of time, energy and patience. In this process, every improvement of the dog can make the owner feel extremely relieved; and every recurrence of the disease will make the owner very worried. But as long as we don't give up and protect the dog with love and scientific methods, it is possible to create miracles. When we see the dog gradually regain its vitality, wag its tail again, and run towards us, all the previous efforts become worthwhile. This battle with canine distemper not only tests our ability, but also deepens the emotional bond between us and the dog.