Distemper virus is difficult to diagnose. One
way is for a diagnostic lab to preform a titer, which measures
the level of distemper antibodies
in the dog’s blood and tissue. A PCR can also be done, which looks
for the virus itself, but neither of these methods is foolproof. Distemper
viral inclusions can also be seen in blood cells on a microscope for 2-9
days after the animal is infected, but may not be present anymore when
the dog begins to show symptoms.
|
Treatment of distemper virus is strictly supportive,
as there is no known cure for the disease. It includes intravenous
fluids, antibiotics to help with any secondary infections, anti-seizure
medications, anti-vomiting and diarrhea medications, as well as
treatments to control any additional symptoms. An infected dog
will continue to shed the virus for 60-90 days post infection.
|
| |
Prevention is the best method to guard
against this devastating disease. Puppies should receive vaccinations
starting at 6-8 weeks of age when the mother’s antibodies passed
to the puppy have worn off. Boosters should be given every 2-3 weeks
until the puppy is 14-16 weeks old. The vaccine can then be boostered
annually or according to the veterinarian’s guidelines. Often
puppies are given a human measles vaccine, which will stimulate the
production of distemper antibodies received from the bitch. It is
important to remember that no vaccine provides 100% protection, but
the protection it does supply is better then none at all. |
|
|