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Distemper · Distemper signs & symptoms · Distemper diagnosis · Distemper treatment · Distemper related articles
Unfortunately no specific drugs help dogs overcome viral infections like distemper. Instead, dogs are given supportive care and treatments that help prevent additional infections from taking hold while the white blood cells are suppressed (lymphopenia). For example, antibiotics are given to help prevent pneumonia.
Most dogs need IV fluids because they are not eating and may have diarrhea. Dogs with seizures are given antiseizure medications such as diazepam or phenobarbital (both controlled substances), or potassium bromide. Steroids are not routinely used because they increase the chance of secondary infection, but when the pet has severe seizures, sometimes steroids are necessary. We have no effective antiviral drugs for distemper.
Preventing Distemper
Distemper is easier to prevent with vaccination than it is to treat. Distemper vaccines are made either with live or killed virus. With live virus vaccines, a weakened form (attenuated) of the virus is injected to stimulate the white blood cells to make antibodies to fight the infection. Live virus vaccines promote long-lived immunity and nearly 100% of vaccinated dogs will be protected from developing the disease. However, there are rare cases of fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis) in pets using live vaccine. The killed vaccine is safer, but 20-30% of vaccinated dogs will not develop an immune response that can protect them from the distemper virus when vaccinated with a killed product.
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Vaccination for distemper is also complicated by the fact that—regardless of whether a killed or live vaccine is used—a puppy cannot develop an immune response if the antibodies to distemper were absorbed from colostrum. Colostrum is the first 12-24 hours of mother’s milk that is high in protective antibodies. If antibodies from colostrum are still circulating within the pup’s bloodstream, they immediately neutralize the vaccine so that the puppy’s cells do not learn how to fight the infection. Some pups receive a strong dose of protective antibodies from colostrum
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and other pups receive very few. We cannot tell by looking at the pups what their antibody levels are. Vaccines need to be timed just right so that they stimulate the pup’s immune system just at the time the maternal antibodies have declined and no longer protect the pup, but before the pup has been exposed to the easily spread virus.
Vaccinating Repeatedly
Traditionally we tried to provide vaccines at the right time by giving them every two weeks between the age of 6 and 12 weeks. That way, pups in the litter without much colostrum-provided protection were covered by the first shots and pups that consumed a lot of colostrum and had strong protection were covered by the last shots. We now know that this practice of repeatedly vaccinating is harmful.
Polyvalent Vaccines (Vaccines Protecting Against Multiple Diseases)
Often dogs are given one vaccine that protects from several diseases at the same time. These are called polyvalent vaccines. Some veterinarians advise against using polyvalent vaccines because they can overwhelm an animal’s immune system causing health problems. In nature, an animal is never exposed to multiple diseases at the same time. Among the health problems proven to be caused by over-vaccinating are cancers, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and probably thyroid diseases. Work with your veterinarian to create a vaccine plan that prevents over-vaccinating. Some veterinarians are now asking clients to sign consent forms to make sure they understand that vaccinating has risks as well as benefits.
Titers
It may be best to draw blood and have the lab measure your pet’s level of antibodies to distemper. These tests are called titers. If the titer is at a protective level, your pet would not benefit from a vaccine. This way, you determine when, and if, your dog should be vaccinated. Discuss the benefit of titers with your veterinarian and decide together which vaccines should be used and how often they should be given.
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Breeding Females
Breeding females can be vaccinated about 2 weeks before mating so that pups will receive a high level of antibodies in colostrum. These antibodies protect tiny pups with their immature immune systems during the period they are most susceptible to infections. Pups born to dogs that were vaccinated just prior to mating usually have high levels of circulating antibodies so that they do best when their first vaccine is closer to 12 weeks of age. If the breeding female already has high levels of protective antibodies, she does not need the vaccine before mating.
Healthy Lifestyle
Prevention of distemper requires a healthy lifestyle just as much as it requires vaccines. Good nutrition, quiet peaceful sleep, vigorous playtime, and healthy supplements all contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For suggestions on great nutrition, visit the discussion on Premium Dog Food. For the best pet bed—one that’s attractive, washable and made with miracle foam—check out the Ortho Dream Sleeper. For toys, see suggestions at Toy of the Month. Lists of excellent supplements follow and there’s additional information in the Nutrition and Fatty Acid Sections of www.PetHealth101.com.
Vaccines Medications & Supplements
Several supplements help support normal immune function to prevent infections. These supplements contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, zinc, green tea, and antioxidants.
See our Distemper Medicines page for a complete list of Supplements broken down.
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The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians
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