Plague in dogs primarily affects the animal's mucous membrane, skin and nervous system, the course of the disease is usually accompanied by an increase in temperature with the subsequent development of pneumonia. The disease in dogs occurs quickly and affects, first of all, puppies under the age of one year. Almost all breeds of dogs are exposed to the plague, the mutts turned out to be the most resistant to it. This viral disease is very dangerous for dogs, other pets and humans are not exposed to this disease.
The dog’s distemper is one of the worst diseases; infection occurs most often through the respiratory tract, ears and digestive tract. Among the vectors of the disease, animals themselves, worms, insects and other carriers are noted, the virus, when infected, first gets into the bloodstream and then into the animal’s tissue. A scientist from France in 1905 was the first to discover the virus of this disease. The detected virus was quite resistant to various factors. Within 5 years, he does not lose his vitality in the frozen state, in the dried state it can be active for up to 90 days.
A temperature of 40 degrees is fatal for him, while he dies only after two weeks.
For owners, the great difficulty is the ability to accurately establish the diagnosis that this is a dog-dog. Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in animals in different ways. To a greater extent, it all depends on what is affected: the nervous system, digestive organs, lungs, throat or skin. The early symptoms of infection include a partial loss of appetite, sneezing, weak discharge from the nose and eyes, a tired dog, and chills.
After a few days of illness, a large discharge from the nose and eyes begins, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees and above, the tip of the nose and nostrils become dry, thirst appears. Most often, dog plague occurs in an acute form, causing an intestinal upset, bronchitis, lack of appetite, and frequent trembling throughout the body. There is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of many organs, symptoms of a damaging effect on the nervous system (convulsions, a sharp change in lethargy and agitation) are manifested. The dog scratches his nose with his paw, purulent outflows begin to go from it, breathing is difficult.
The dog loses weight, a rash appears on the skin in the abdomen in the form of red spots, which over time turn into pustules. The most severe plague in dogs is manifested in lesions of the nervous system. During this period, profuse salivation, convulsive contraction of the muscles of the limbs and head, which most often lead to paralysis. Data on the death from the plague are contradictory, perhaps this is due to the different course of the disease at different periods of time. Experts see the reason for such fluctuations in the mutation of the virus and the possible emergence of its new form.
The disease usually lasts up to four weeks, with complications it can last up to several months. Dogs affected by the plague can become fully or partially disabled, they lose their hearing, smell, vision, etc.
Dog plague sometimes brings the animal to mental insanity. Ill dogs usually do not re-become infected with this disease, but can be virus carriers for up to three months. The treatment process is long and complex, for this, various groups of drugs are used, aimed at the manifesting disease and possible pathology, detoxification and stimulation of the body. Do not forget that an organism weakened by a virus can be infected with bacteria. Therefore, a sick dog should be kept in a dry, clean and ventilated area.
Particular attention must be paid to animal nutrition. Food should be high-calorie and easily digestible (meat, beef liver, eggs, milk, rice broth with breadcrumbs, meat broth, etc.). Feeding should be done in small portions. In the room it is necessary to periodically do disinfection.
To prevent the disease, a healthy dog needs to be vaccinated.