The Brakpan SPCA has advised dog owners to ensure their pooches are vaccinated against distemper, warning “don’t wait until it’s too late”.
According to the local society, there has been a surge in distemper cases this year that led to the Springs and Kloof and Highway SPCAs temporarily closing for adoptions and visits due to outbreaks.
Canine distemper is a viral disease (virus) that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems, as well as the conjunctival membranes of the eye.
The disease is highly contagious and potentially lethal.
There are three ways dogs can contract canine distemper:
• Through direct contact with an infected animal or object,
• Through airborne exposure,
• Through the placenta.
When an infected dog or wild animal coughs, sneezes, or barks, he releases aerosol droplets into the environment, infecting nearby animals and surfaces, like food and water bowls.
The first signs of canine distemper includes sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose.
Read: Have your pets microchipped and vaccinated at SPCA
Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, depression and/or loss of appetite are also symptoms of the virus.
There is currently no available medication that can destroy the virus that causes canine distemper.
Rather, supportive care is the mainstay of treatment.
Veterinarians can offer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and antibiotics to ward off secondary infections while the infected dog builds up his immune response.
Some dogs are able to survive the infection, while for others canine distemper can be fatal.
Dogs who recover from canine distemper may have seizures or other central nervous system disorders that may not show up until many years later, sometimes in their old age.
They may also be left with permanent brain and nerve damage, and these symptoms also may not show up until years later.
All dogs are at risk but puppies and dogs that have not been vaccinated against canine distemper are at increased risk of acquiring the disease.
Vaccination is crucial in preventing canine distemper:
A series of vaccinations is administered to puppies to increase the likelihood of building immunity when the immune system has not yet fully matured.
These are usually administered at six, nine and 12 weeks of age, and thereafter annually.
It is important to avoid gaps in the immunisation schedule and make sure vaccinations are up to date.
It is also vital to avoid contact with infected animals.
Use caution when socialising puppies or unvaccinated dogs at parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy day care and other places where dogs can congregate.
There are no home remedies to cure distemper, vet treatment is needed urgently and majority of dogs do not survive.
Prevention is better than cure.
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