Distemper? How to tell for certain? Will is spread to my older dog?

Question

We have just adopted a 7 month old from a kennel. Perky dog...but had a cold. One course of antibiotics didn't work. We went to another vet (not with the rescue kennel). The dog is on a longer course of antibiotics now, plus something for congested lungs. She has no lethargy, no loss of appetite, but did vomit a bit today and last night.

So.

How do I know FOR SURE if my little pup has distemper? Or just a cold?

Is my 9 year old dog at risk?

What is the protocol for a dog diagnosed with distemper? Put the pup down (most compassionate)?

Thanks

Answer 1

Contact a vet. That's really the only sure way to know. Sure, there are symptoms, but you should take your pup to the vet. I think it's contagious, but I'm not sure. Distemper is a dangerous disease.

Answer 2

Find a good vet, it might still be cured. You just need to find a good vet that will diagnose your dog right and not pile on many different/wrong antibiotics.

The “D” part of the vaccine is for Canine Distemper, a highly contagious and usually fatal disease. It is caused by the paramyxovirus and is transmitted by a healthy dog coming into contact with the discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected dog. It is also suspected that the Distemper virus can live in the soil from six months up to a year.
The first signs of Distemper can be a simple loss of appetite or a slight, dry cough. Another common sign of the disease is a thick yellow or green discharge from the eyes and/or nose. Vomiting and/or diarrhea as well as an increase in temperature are also possible signs. There are some cases where these symptoms appear and then disappear with nothing else happening until suddenly neurological symptoms appear.
The neurological symptoms will often start with just a twitching, shivering or even a “chewing gum” like activity. These mild activities will often turn into full seizures that is a horrendous sight to see. The convulsions will at first be sporadic and then progress to non-stop, screaming types of seizures. Eventually, the seizures will become so bad the heart stops or the respiratory system fails.
Unlike many of the canine diseases, Canine Distemper is not species specific. Dogs, wolves, coyotes, ferrets and raccoons are all at risk to its deadly power.

Those are some things i found in the internet. Hope it helps!

Answer 3

dogs can be treated for distemper. but how did you get from having a cold, or probably something called kennel cough, to distemper? did the other vet, the second one, say she had distemper? is your 9 year old dog currant on their distemper vaccine? if not there is a chance, especially if the dog has not received proper vaccines in the past. distemper is treatable, and in a puppy they have a better chance of surviving, depending on how the pup is doing. distemper dogs may have seizures and their eyes will not seem right, moving from side to side. nystagmus. distemper pups will often be lethargic, no appetite, vomiting and runny stools. the vomiting can also be caused by her coughing and not feeling good. distemper is usually diagnosed by symptoms, and only can be diagnosed by a vet. if your pup is eating and acting fine and just coughing and having a tough time, no it's not compassionate to put her down. it's probably kennel cough and it will be rough, but she will get over it. kennel cough is definatly contagious to your 9 year old dog though, i would keep them seperated until the pup is doing better. i would do what your vet says, he will tell you if they think the pup has distemper.

Answer 4

Canine distemper virus is most often transmitted through contact with mucous and watery secretions discharged from eyes and noses of infected dogs. Contact with the urine and feces of infected dogs can also result in infection. A healthy dog can be infected without coming in contact with an infected animal. Kennels, runs and other areas used by infected dogs can harbor canine distemper virus. The virus may be borne by air currents and object like water bowls,dishes,toys.
The dog may have a slight fever for a couple of weeks. If pneumonia, intestinal inflammation or other problems develop, recovery takes much longer.
Nervous problems often last many weeks after the animal has recovered from all other signs of infection. Occasionally the virus causes rapid growth of the tough keratin cells on the footpad, resulting in a hardened pad.

the symptoms are:Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings.
Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption.
Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination.
Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy.
Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down.
Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body.
Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, and a ragged or dull coat.
Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth.

Prognosis:Fluids, antibiotics, and other medications can be given to control seizures. Even after most of the clinical signs have resolved, long term neurological problems may persist
The prognosis for a dog or puppy with canine distemper vaccine is hard to determine. It often depends on the vaccination status, the strain of virus, and the type of treatment provided. As with most diseases, prevention is the best way. To answre your question, putting the dog down is the more compassionte thing to do. Your vet should be able to diagnose your pup through blood work,xrays, and visual observations.

Answer 5

A dog with distemper ...your vet should be able to take a sample (blood or saliva) and diagnose it properly.Correct and fast treatment may get the pup up and good to go in a little while.Prolonging the illness by not diagnosing it quickly can do irreversible harm.Some dogs recouperate from distemper,others dont.It can be a horrible way to go.Signs?Runny nose,eyes,fever,diarreah,(often bloody.)Other symptoms may include convulsions,staggering walk and walking in circles.
If your vet hasnt diagnosed it as distemper by now,then it may not be.Keep close to the vet in this case.He may be able to save the pup.If your 9 year old dog is up to date on shots he may be protected,but older dogs are more susceptible to disease than adult healty and strong ones.Again,contact your vet with all your questions written down beforehand.

Answer 6

yes it can , just lost two pups to parvenu get the shots i wish i had but left untreated it will get worst