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How to Identify Canine Distemper
How to Identify Canine Distemper
Here are some tips on how to tell if your dog has Canine
Distemper.
by John Schwartz
October 17, 2004
Canine distemper is a devastating disease. It often crops
up in seemingly healthy pets without any warning. What’s more,
distemper often mimics benign problems, like the common cold.
This is truly the most insidious aspect of this illness. Sadly,
many cases progress to the point where they are no longer
treatable before the owner even realizes what's happened.
How to spot the early signs of distemper
First and foremost, understand that distemper can often be
diagnosed very early if regular trips to the veterinarian
are scheduled and kept. This cannot be stressed enough, especially
for new puppies! Because afflictions like distemper most often
strike very young pups that have weaker immune systems, it’s
crucial that owners visit the vet often in the first few weeks
of life. Early diagnosis means a chance to survive it.
Owners who suspect distemper, but haven’t had the animal
seen by a vet, can detect it by a couple of signs. First,
yellowish-green or dark green discharge from the eyes and
nose is a classic indication. It’s often accompanied by sneezing
and general lethargy. Unfortunately, many pet owners assume
this is just a sign that their dog has contracted a cold or
has allergies and they ignore the symptoms.
If you remember nothing else about what you read here, remember
this: any green discharge from the eyes or nose means distemper
is a real possibility. RUSH your pet to the vet at the first
sign! You just might save his life.
While distemper can manifest differently from animal to animal,
another hallmark of it is constant shaking or twitching. This
happens in the more advanced stages of the disease, when the
canine neurological system has been compromised and muscles
fire continuously. Unfortunately, by this stage, it’s rarely
treatable and the humane step is euthanasia. Having said that,
always get your pet checked out thoroughly to rule out some
other condition that may be causing the tremors. You never
know.
It isn’t easy for pet owners to prevent diseases as serious
as distemper. It's infamous for sneaking up on otherwise healthy
puppies. But starting a new puppy out right - with good nutrition
and regular visits to the vet for vaccinations and check-ups
- will go a long way toward keeping him healthy and disease-free.
Know and watch for the signs of distemper and your dog will
have a strong ally in you!
- John Schwartz
John Schwartz is a freelance writer and webmaster. He
has had many informative articles published on topics that
include fishing, dogs, and gun safety. His websites can
be found at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com
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