What are the symptoms of distemper in a dog?

Dogs are humans' most loyal companions. Their innocent company brings endless warmth and joy to our lives. However, there is a terrible disease - canine distemper, like an invisible devil lurking in the dark, constantly threatening the health of dogs. When a dog is unfortunately infected with canine distemper, those distressing symptoms break every owner's heart. Understanding the symptoms of canine distemper in dogs is crucial for early detection and saving the dog's life.

The canine distemper virus is highly destructive, mainly attacking multiple vital systems of dogs, including the respiratory, digestive, nervous systems and skin. In the early stage, dogs may exhibit symptoms similar to a cold, which is a stage often overlooked by many owners. The dog will sneeze and have a runny nose, just like a human with a cold. Meanwhile, the eyes will also be affected, with red conjunctiva, increased secretions, watery eyes and constant eye discharge. For example, a previously lively dog suddenly becomes listless and its eyes are covered with eye discharge. The owner may think it's just a common case of getting "heat in the body", not knowing that this could be an early sign of canine distemper.

As the disease progresses, the respiratory symptoms will gradually worsen. The dog starts to cough. The cough may be mild at first, but will become more frequent and severe. The breathing also becomes rapid, and even dyspnea may occur, with the abdomen heaving violently with each breath. This is because the virus multiplies rapidly in the respiratory tract, causing inflammation, which leads to swelling of the respiratory mucosa and increased secretions, obstructing the normal gas exchange. Imagine how painful it is for a dog to struggle with every breath.

The digestive system is also affected. The dog will have a loss of appetite and show no interest in its favorite foods. Some dogs may even completely refuse to eat, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. The vomit may be undigested food or foamy liquid. The diarrheal stools are usually soft and may be black or have blood streaks. This is because the virus damages the intestinal mucosa, affecting the normal digestion and absorption function of the intestine and causing intestinal inflammation. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can cause the dog to become dehydrated quickly and extremely weak.

Nervous system symptoms are one of the most serious manifestations of canine distemper and a sign of the middle and late stages of the disease. The dog may have convulsions, with certain parts of the body, such as the legs and facial muscles, twitching uncontrollably. Some dogs may also have epileptic seizures, suddenly falling to the ground with stiff limbs, convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and having a frightened and confused look in their eyes. These nervous system symptoms are caused by the virus invading the dog's central nervous system, causing serious damage to nerve cells and resulting in neurological dysfunction. Once these symptoms appear, the dog's condition is often very critical and the treatment becomes much more difficult.

In terms of the skin, the dog's paw pads will gradually thicken and harden, losing their original softness and elasticity. This is because the virus stimulates the skin tissue, causing hyperkeratosis. The hair also becomes rough, dull and prone to falling out. In some severe cases, rashes such as erythema and papules may appear on the dog's skin.

When owners notice the above symptoms in their dogs, they must be highly vigilant and take the dog to a pet hospital for a professional examination in a timely manner. Veterinarians usually diagnose whether a dog is infected with canine distemper through methods such as blood tests and test paper detection. Once diagnosed, the dog needs to receive systematic treatment, including antiviral treatment, symptomatic treatment and supportive treatment, etc., to relieve symptoms, enhance the dog's resistance and help it overcome the disease.

The symptoms of dogs infected with canine distemper are complex and diverse and change continuously as the disease progresses. As owners, we should always pay attention to the health of our dogs and be more aware of their daily behaviors and physical changes. Every dog is an important member of the family, and their health and happiness are our greatest wishes. Let's use our love and professional knowledge to protect the health of our dogs. When they encounter diseases such as canine distemper, we should not abandon them, accompany them through difficult times and help them regain health and vitality.