As a dog can be infected with distemper

What is distemper

Distemper is a contagious viral disease, which are susceptible domestic dogs and wild carnivores, such as mink, foxes, ferrets, and other. The causative agent is a virus of the group of paramyxoviruses. Other Pets and humans, the disease is not transmitted. I had been ill dogs create immunity. The main risk group included puppies from 2-3 months to a year. This is due to the fact that the body kids weakened due to the change of teeth and vigorous growth. Puppies feeding on mother's milk, get protective antibodies and are less prone to infection. This disease affects all breeds without exception, but purebred are in a higher risk group in comparison with the pooch. Among the canine diseases distemper is considered the most terrible disease after rabies.

Ways of infection and vectors

For a distemper of carnivores is characterized by the contamination in any of three ways: through the respiratory tract (the nose), digestive (mouth) and hearing AIDS (ears). Once ingested, the virus enters the blood and tissues. The disease is transmitted at any time of the year, but spreads quickly in poor dirty weather (fall, spring). Favorable factors contributing to the disease distemper are: the lack of vitamins in the dog food, colds, poor conditions, poor feeding.

The main sources of infection is sick and ill animals (in direct and indirect contact with infected objects of the external environment (food, water, air, separation of sick animals, feeding, facilities and bedding, the objects of care – all were used and which contained sick individuals). In addition, vectors can be people, vehicles, birds, and even insects and worms.

In the environment the virus comes out with the urine, dead skin cells, feces, with expirations from a nose, eyes and mouth. Diseased dog before the first symptoms able with his breath to infect other individuals. The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 weeks, depending on the form of the disease. Have cured from distemper dogs retained the ability to infect other animals for 2-3 months.

Studies have shown that the distemper virus completely disappears from the blood within 2-3 days after the onset of symptoms. The disease continues, mainly due to the development of secondary infection. Although the virus is no longer present in the blood, but he still lives in other parts of the body, and in the later stages, often causing very serious injury to internal organs.

Unambiguous and effective treatment of this terrible disease does not exist. Treatment procedures focus mainly on the maintenance of bodily functions, boost immunity and blocking pathways are possible secondary infections. All manipulations with sick animals produced on the basis of the severity of his condition.

Despite all the efforts of the vets, they are virtually powerless before a plague. And the mortality rate is still high.