Pets with illiteracy and refusal of vaccination can suffer from a wide variety of infectious diseases. The most formidable pathology is recognized by all veterinarians as dog plague. In scientific terms, the disease is called Care disease. It is based on a virus resistant to many drugs, which is transmitted in different ways. Puppies are particularly susceptible to infection, but adult individuals are also not protected from infection if they are not vaccinated. Therefore, it is important for all breeders to know the main signs of a dog's plague and the necessary actions.
It is worth noting that puppies that caught this disease rarely survive. Therefore, it is so important to make all the necessary vaccinations in time in order to protect the pet from death. Adult dogs are more likely to recover. If it was possible to defeat the virus, then the pet gains almost lifetime immunity. However, his health will be weakened, and any sore with poor care will immediately attack the body.
Dog Plague Causal Agent
Experts have found that the causative agent of a formidable disease is a virus from the group of paramyxoviruses. Infection occurs by airborne droplets and through the digestive tract. It is clear that such a route of transmission is very common, therefore it is difficult to save a dog without vaccination.
As soon as the virus enters the body, it begins its rapid action. Integrating into the blood cells, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into all tissues and settle in almost all organs of the animal. Therefore, the symptoms of plague manifest themselves very quickly.
Sources of infection
Plague virus is transmitted from an infected individual. As soon as the dog becomes infected, it becomes a source of the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. They are excreted along with feces, urine, saliva and even liquid secretions from the eyes. When analyzing dead cells and its epithelium, viral cells are also detected.
Veterinarians identify the following sources of possible infection:
- Contact with a sick individual. And it can be not only a dog, but also wolves, foxes, ferrets, hyenas and minks. Therefore, it is so important for hunting animals to do all the necessary vaccinations on time.
- Aviary, booth, litter and bowl of the animal, if other individuals have access to them.
- The virus can enter the house through contaminated shoes or human clothing.
Within 5-7 days after infection, no signs of distemper appear in dogs. Symptoms appear a week later, but quite acutely. Cases were recorded when the incubation period was reduced to 2 days or increased to 2 weeks.
Risk group
Experts identify animals that are at risk and are most at risk of catching the virus:
- puppies who have not been vaccinated;
- weakened animals that are not adequately cared for and do not receive adequate nutrition;
- stray dogs.
However, if the puppies feed on the milk of the mother who suffered the disease, then they receive ready-made antibodies to this virus along with the food. Therefore, infection of such offspring is extremely rare, even if contact occurs with a sick animal.
Despite the fact that the signs of a plague in a dog may not appear immediately, it is already a source of infection as soon as the pathogen enters its body. It must be remembered that there are cases when the virus was excreted in the urine a few days after the cure.
The disease has no special seasonality. Microorganisms feel great in summer and live in winter up to -24 degrees. However, veterinarians note a peak incidence in autumn and spring.
The first signs of a dog's plague
Treatment of the disease often begins late, because the main symptoms are similar to the usual malaise:
- lethargy and depression;
- appetite disappears, vomiting may open;
- the mucous membrane of the eyes turns red;
- the hair becomes tousled;
- discharge from the nose and eyes;
- dyspeptic disorder is observed;
- photophobia causes the animal to hide in corners;
- unwillingness to make contact.
At first, the signs of plague in dogs are mild. However, an attentive host will always suspect something is amiss. The dog can suddenly rise in temperature to 40 degrees and stay for about three days. If the animal has a strong immunity, then its body begins to intensely fight the virus and the signs of a plague disease in a dog gradually fade away. However, this happens quite rarely. Basically, the development of the disease further acquires a rapid turnaround.
Forms of the disease
As soon as the first sign of plague appears in the dog, you must immediately show the pet to the veterinarian. After all, there are several clinical forms of this disease. Experts note that often the virus affects them in a complex, and individually they rarely appear.
- Intestinal form. The first sign of plague in a dog in this case is manifested by vomiting and diarrhea. Feces with a yellowish tint, has a specific smell. If you examine the mouth of an animal, you can notice spots on the teeth and a whitish coating on the tongue. The pet completely refuses food, is very weak and may even lose consciousness.
- Pulmonary form. It develops if the main accumulation of viruses occurs in the lung tissue. Signs of the disease in a dog with a plague are manifested in this case, fever and cough. The dog is constantly thirsty, so he drinks a lot, but refuses to feed. If you do not start treatment, then diarrhea and vomiting join. The eyes begin to fester, and a viscous secretion is also secreted from the nose.
- Skin form. It is considered the easiest and have a favorable outcome. The animal is diagnosed with rashes throughout the body that degenerate into ulcers. The danger is that bacteria get through the cracks in the skin and a secondary infection can join. Inflammation of the skin causes the animal great discomfort. If you do not conduct proper treatment, the pet will die from infection of wounds or exhaustion.
- Nervous form. Experts note that with an untreated plague, all of the above forms flow into the nervous one. The animal is diagnosed with nerve tics, its limbs are constantly twitching. The dog becomes aggressive, embittered, can attack a person and other animals. Extreme thirst and foam in the corners of the mouth. All of the above signs of plague in a dog are noted. Symptoms in this case acquire a more acute form. At the last stage, epileptic seizures and paralysis of the limbs occur. The lethal outcome is due to complete paralysis of the respiratory system and muscles.
Rare manifestations
Signs of a distemper in a dog may be rather nonspecific. The photo shows well the hardening of the pads on the paws, which may indicate a lesion by the virus. There is no temperature, but there may be nausea and vomiting. Often a similar symptom is compared to a clatter of hooves due to the characteristic sound heard when the dog is walking.
Course of the disease
Depending on the course of the disease, the signs of a plague in the dog may differ. How to treat the animal will depend on its shape. There are fulminant course of the disease, acute and chronic.
- Lightning fast. All clinical signs do not have time to manifest, the animal dies within 24 hours.
- Spicy. All the typical signs of a dog's plague are manifested. Symptoms (a photo of a sick animal clearly shows) are visible to any caring owner. The animal is constantly vomiting, he has diarrhea. A pet can drink greedily, but refuses to favorite treats. The dog clogs into a corner, coughs.
- Chronic The disease is sluggish for several months. The virus periodically exacerbates, and its action subsides under the influence of immune forces or drugs.
Damage to the nervous system is the last stage, and the prognosis is the most unfavorable. If seizures appear, limb paralysis is observed, then the dog, most likely, can no longer be saved.
Despite the fact that the disease can be cured, animals after it often remain inferior. The nervous system, hearing, vision and smell are affected. Of course, the pet gains lifelong immunity, and the lactating bitch passes it to her offspring along with milk.
Treatment methods
Very dangerous for the health and life of the plague. In dogs, signs (treatment is required in any case) do not always appear immediately. But as soon as the owner has a suspicion of a virus entering the body, it is necessary to show the animal to the veterinarian. Unfortunately, specific drugs against pathogenic microorganisms have not yet been invented. Therefore, the specialist prescribes only complex treatment. In this case, the general condition of the pet, the clinical picture and the main signs of the disease are taken into account. An important component of therapy is the appointment of immunomodulators.
The standard treatment regimen includes the introduction of the following solutions:
- 40% glucose to maintain strength;
- 40% urotropine;
- isotonic;
- calcium gluconate;
- diphenhydramine;
- ascorbic acid.
To prevent infection of the skin shown "Proserine". To reduce the likelihood of paralysis, Midokalm is required. An increased irritability is often observed in a dog during a plague, so “Phenobarbital” and glutamic acid can be prescribed to reduce these symptoms. Finlepsin is also indicated if epileptic seizures are diagnosed.
If the plague manifests itself in the form of a skin form, then antibiotic therapy aimed at preventing infection of the affected epithelium is important.
The treatment is supplemented by immunizing drugs and vitamin therapy. In no case should you interrupt the prescribed course until complete recovery, even if the main signs have disappeared and the dog looks much better.
What can the owner do
It is useful to understand what signs of a dog's plague should alert. With timely treatment to a veterinary clinic, the chances of a favorable outcome are much greater. But if only a specialist should deal with the treatment, then every breeder can create favorable conditions for recovery. To do this, you must:
- keep the dog in a dry and warm room, eliminate drafts;
- darken bright light sources, because with plague, photophobia develops;
- wipes from the nose and eyes regularly;
- treat wounds on the skin with a disinfectant solution;
- establish proper feeding (liquid cereals, meat broths, finely chopped meat, cottage cheese, kefir).
Treatment by folk methods
It is urgent to call a veterinarian as soon as signs of a plague are found in dogs. Treatment at home is possible only with full compliance with all the instructions of a specialist. There are many alternative methods of treatment, but their use is justified in case of emergency or in combination with the main therapy.
In any case, decoctions of herbs of St. John's wort or chamomile will not harm. They well remove toxins from the body of the animal. Motherwort infusion is recommended to calm the nervous system.
The use of vodka
A fairly common method of treating distemper in animals with vodka. To do this, you need to prepare a solution consisting of half a glass of high-quality alcoholic beverage, a teaspoon of honey and a raw egg. The liquid must be poured into the jaws of the dog. The syringe will facilitate the process.
However, this method will help yard dogs that have strong natural immunity, or individuals with mild symptoms. The chances are significantly increased if, after emergency measures with vodka, consult a doctor for complex therapy.
Vaccination as the only prevention
Experts note that the only sure way to prevent canine distemper is timely vaccination. All breeders should remember that the first vaccination must be done as soon as the puppy is three months old. Next on the schedule is revaccination. Veterinarians note that usually dogs tolerate injections well, sometimes signs of intestinal upset may occur.
Non-specific measures for the prevention of plague, as well as other infectious diseases, include:
- keeping clean the bowls of the animal, their regular boiling;
- full dog care and good nutrition;
- periodic disinfection of litter;
- washing paws after a walk;
- storing street shoes in closed cabinets, without access to a pet.
Timely vaccination, revaccination, proper care and good nutrition will not only protect against the plague, but also give the dog a long and healthy life.
Disease after vaccination
Unfortunately, vaccination is not always able to protect a pet and the likelihood of catching the virus still remains. Veterinarians warn that non-compliance with the rules of preparation for vaccination can cause negative consequences and provoke the development of the disease. So, deworming is mandatory, otherwise the presence of worms will only aggravate the process. Also, puppies are at risk of catching an infection after vaccination due to a defective immune system. Therefore, after vaccination, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the veterinarian, to protect the pet from stray and unverified animals.
Adult vaccinated individuals are less at risk. They have already formed a stable immunity, but the state of health has a decisive effect. Therefore, one should never forget about preventive measures, one should not rely only on vaccination. It is necessary to stop the fights of a dog with yard dogs, and even simple curiosity can lead to infection. It must be remembered that revaccination is required annually. Veterinarians note that vaccinated animals tolerate the disease in a milder form, with timely treatment, a positive outcome is guaranteed.
Consequences for humans
Sometimes an inexperienced breeder is frightened of the first symptoms of a plague and seeks to protect any contacts of family members with a sick pet. However, a pet can’t cope without human help. You can safely proceed to treatment, because the canine distemper virus is not transmitted to people.
But the virus is quite tenacious, and only boiling can kill it instantly. Therefore, it is so important to disinfect all the places where the animal lives in the house, but this is not done to protect the person, and then to prevent re-infection of the dog.
The dog, which is also in the house with the sick animal, is at particular risk. If possible, they should be divided and recommendations for preventive measures should be obtained. Most likely, the veterinarian will offer the same treatment regimen, but without unnecessary drugs aimed at eliminating severe symptoms.
Finally
It is important for all breeders to know how dog distemper appears. Symptoms, however, may be completely absent or occur in a latent form. In this case, the death of the pet is rapid, and nothing can be done. But if symptoms begin to manifest, the animal should immediately receive competent treatment. Only in this case can we hope for a favorable outcome. At the same time, veterinarians always carefully make predictions. The disease is very insidious, and in many respects everything depends on the immune forces of the animal itself and the spread of the virus throughout the body. If a puppy falls ill, then the chances are much less. Adult dogs often survive.