Canine Distemper

Definition
Very contagious illness taken place by the virus of the canine distemper that can affect dogs and the rest of canine (foxes, coyotes, wolves,…..). 

Symptoms
It can present several squares: 

• light illness: can associates with fever, transitory anorexia and light conjunctivitis. 
• Serious multi systemic illness: fever generally exists, ocular and nasal secretions, depression can exist, anorexia, vomits and diarrhea (and dehydration). at the beginning, dry cough that later will passed to humid. 
• Neurological signs: they can be observed from 1-3 weeks of the beginning of the illness and they are progressive and variables. Convulsions can exist, walk without direction or in circles, nervous tics, etc… 
• Other symptoms: ocular problems, abortions, perinatal mortality,….  

Diagnosis
We will discover this illness by the previous symptoms. There are several analysis types for the confirmation of the diagnose, as blood test, of liquidate cerebrospinal, of smear of conjunctive. 

Treatment
Will be carried a symptomatic treatment (according to the symptoms that it presents) administering antibiotics of wide spectrum, serum therapy, ant convulsions if he has convulsions, etc. 

It is necessary to have present that the mioclonícas (nervous tics) they are unsociable and irreversible (sometimes progressive and incompatible with a quality of appropriate life) and with a certain frequency they can have permanent sequels after the cure of the illness. 

Prevention
Also in this illness, just as we has seen, for the graveness and high mortality, the establishment of a good vaccination plan , environmental control and elimination of all the factors that can immunodeficiency to the animal will be the base to avoid this pathology in the puppy.