Canine Distemper
Disease Overview
Canine distemper is a highly contagious, often fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and the nervous systems. Contact among recently infected animals maintains the virus in a population, and a constant supply of puppies helps to provide a susceptible population for infection. Although immunity to virulent canine distemper is prolonged or lifelong, it is not as absolute after vaccination. Dogs that do not receive periodic immunizations may lose their protection and become infected after stress, immunosuppression, or contact with diseased animals.16
Merck Animal Health Solutions
For Canine Distemper
A vaccine recommended for use in healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis) and adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus, and canine parvovirus.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus, canine parvovirus, and canine coronavirus.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), canine adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus, and canine parvovirus and against leptospiral disease due to L. canicola or L. icterohaemorrhagiae.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), canine adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine coronavirus, canine parainfluenza virus, and canine parvovirus and against leptospiral disease due to L. canicola or L. icterohaemorrhagiae.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis), canine parainfluenza virus, and canine parvovirus. Additionally, it is an aid in the prevention of disease, urinary shedding and mortality caused by L. canicola, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. pomona, or L. grippotyphosa.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus.
Recommended for the vaccination of healthy dogs for prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus and as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine adenovirus (both infectious canine hepatitis and infectious tracheobronchitis) for up to 3 years following initial and booster vaccinations.
Transmission
Distemper is spread through contact with bodily secretions (eg, nasal discharge), but is most commonly spread through airborne transmission (eg, sneezing and coughing).
Clinical Signs
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Risk Factors
Young dogsDogs that come from shelters, rescue centers, breeding kennels, or pet storesBoarding at a kennel or doggie daycareVisiting groomers, dog parks, or engaging with other dogs on a daily basisDogs that live in multi-pet homes
References:
16. Green C, Appel M. Canine distemper. In: Greene CE, ed. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier; 2006:27.