| CDV in dogs is still a threat to all dogs and it is still | | | | every dog. |
| every bit as wicked and deadly as it always has | | | | The symptoms usually start with developments |
| been. Puppies, young and un-vaccinated dogs, as | | | | either in your dogs respiratory system, or their |
| well as immune compromised dogs, still run the | | | | gastrointestinal tract; however, it could also be a |
| risk of contracting this disease that has no known | | | | combination of the two. The first symptoms that |
| cure once your dog has it. What makes it still so | | | | you will see is usually vomiting and diarrhea, which |
| very dangerous is that it attacks your dog on | | | | is followed by a complete loss of appetite. This is |
| literally every front of their body, and it is still | | | | not a mild loss, as it will very quickly develop into |
| extremely contagious. Other than the vaccination | | | | anorexia. From this point the symptoms move |
| that has slowed down this beast of a virus, it still | | | | into your dogs nervous system. |
| kills over fifty percent of any dog that it attacks. | | | | The next set of symptoms is usually a sudden |
| CDV, also known as canine distemper virus, is | | | | lack of coordination that is very rapidly followed |
| impossible to cure and is still very fatal to a | | | | by muscle tremors or tics. Muscle tics are very |
| majority of dogs that catch this wicked disease. | | | | rapid movements that have no real purpose and |
| It is still found abundantly in wildlife and if you live | | | | are extremely repetitive. As the nervous system |
| anywhere near a wooden area, your dog still runs | | | | is attacked further, your dog will become very |
| the risk of contracting this disease if their immune | | | | weak and may become partially paralyzed. |
| system has become impaired. A puppy or young | | | | But this killer is still not done with your dog. It also |
| dog that has not yet been vaccinated also runs | | | | cases extreme hardening of their muzzle as well |
| the risk of catching this disease from an infected | | | | as their footpads. From there it goes after the |
| dog or wild animal. | | | | eyes, and if severe enough, your dog will start to |
| Once your dog has become infected, it literally | | | | lose their sight. It also goes after their teeth, |
| attacks them on every part of their body. Even | | | | where is causes both discoloration as well as |
| though Parvo has been at the top of the list of | | | | pitting to occur in both young dogs and weak |
| concerns for deadly infections, this killer is still a | | | | dogs. |
| very close second. | | | | It is at this point that treatment in an infected |
| Once infected, it can harden your dogs paws as | | | | dog may or may not work. If the symptoms are |
| well as their nose, severely damage their teeth | | | | severe enough and do not respond to therapy, it |
| and also make it extremely difficult for them to | | | | is recommended that the dog be euthanized as |
| breath. It will also almost totally diminish their | | | | there is very little hope left. |
| appetite, which places their immune system in | | | | Treatments: |
| ever more jeopardy. | | | | This is where the reality of CDV in dogs fully sets |
| But these are just the mild forms of attack, as it | | | | in to the owner; there is no treatment available to |
| in almost all case also severely damages your | | | | kill this virus once it has infected your pet. There |
| dogs nervous system, and as a result will cause | | | | where some claims about ten years ago about |
| seizures and paralysis. If your dog is lucky enough | | | | effective treatments, but they have never been |
| to survive this beast, they will most likely suffer | | | | fully documented or accepted. This disease can be |
| seizures and nervous twitches for the rest of | | | | supported by therapy, but it is usually very |
| their lives, especially if their immune system | | | | progressive despite therapy. |
| becomes weak at all. | | | | Therapy will be used to both support and |
| Highly contagious: | | | | strengthen the immune system by nourishing |
| CDV in dogs is not quite as contagious as Parvo | | | | your dogs body. However, it is still only about a |
| is, but it is a very, very close second. In most all | | | | fifty percent success rate at best. Intravenous |
| cases, it is passed by what is referred to as | | | | fluids will be used for dogs with severe |
| aerosolization, which is where this virus is spread | | | | gastrointestinal symptoms to replace the lost |
| by very small droplets from an infected animals | | | | fluids and eliminate the hydration. Antibiotics will |
| breath or nasal secretions. However, it does not | | | | also be used for any secondary infections, and |
| just end there, as it can also be transmitted by | | | | anticonvulsant therapy is used for dogs that are |
| any type of an eye discharge, as well simply | | | | having seizure. Diazepam and Phenobarbital are |
| coming into contact with infected urine or body | | | | both drugs that are very effective in fighting |
| fluids. | | | | seizures in dogs. |
| Air currents and inanimate objects such as a toy, | | | | However, there is no current therapy for the tics |
| a drinking or eating dish, and even a lease used on | | | | that are produced by CDV. |
| an infected puppy, can very easily transmit this | | | | Summary: |
| virus. | | | | CDV in dogs is still a very real threat, but it is |
| The only real key to preventing this killer from | | | | preventable if you have your puppy properly |
| attacking your dog is to have them vaccinated | | | | vaccinated. Building your dogs immune system |
| between the ages of six and sixteen weeks of | | | | with nutrition and supplements during the early |
| age. If your puppy has not yet been vaccinated, | | | | years is also extremely important in protecting |
| or has not has their full series of vaccinations, by | | | | against this virus. However, the best thing you |
| all means keep them away from kennels or wild | | | | can do for your puppy or young dog is to keep |
| animals. The worst place you could take your | | | | them away from kennels, dog parks, and by all |
| puppy would be to a pet store, as you have no | | | | means, pet stores until they have effectively |
| assurances that they will not encounter an | | | | been fully vaccinated. |
| infected puppy from a puppy mill. | | | | If you get a new puppy, a reputable breeder is |
| Symptoms: | | | | the safest way to go, as well as adopting from a |
| CDV in dogs is most dangerous to dogs between | | | | rescue shelter. Most all rescue shelters are |
| the ages of three weeks to six months of age, | | | | extremely reputable and the fee that you pay is |
| as well as any dog with a weakened immune | | | | to cover all of the vaccinations needed, including |
| system. This virus is very similar to the virus that | | | | CDV. Not only will you have saved a dogs life for |
| causes measles in humans, and the symptoms will | | | | a lifetime of joy for both of you, but you will be |
| generally come in different stages, much like the | | | | receiving a fully protected dog against this killer |
| measles. However, not all stages will occur in | | | | virus. |