Dr. Tiffany Tupler discusses distemper in dogs, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. Learn what canine distemper is, along with the signs, treatment options, and if it can be prevented.

Understanding the Context

What is distemper? Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic dogs and other animals, such as ferrets, skunks, and raccoons. It is an incurable, often fatal, multisystemic (affecting multiple organs) disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Vaccinating your dog against dangerous diseases, such as rabies and distemper, seems like a no-brainer.

Key Insights

But there’s recent evidence that some pet owners may be hesitating to get their dogs these and ... The month is intended to remind owners to review records, schedule boosters, and talk with their vet about individual risk factors. “Core vaccines are the set that virtually every dog should have, ... KLTV: Vaccines on a schedule: How to know what your pet needs and when TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Conversations about flu vaccines have been circulating and so has the flu, creating a perfect opportunity to discuss vaccines for your pet. Vaccines, when distributed responsibly ...

Final Thoughts

Vaccines on a schedule: How to know what your pet needs and when Canine distemper is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae (the same family of viruses that causes measles and mumps in humans). The disease is highly contagious via inhalation. [3]