Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Dogs suffering distemper should be treated in isolation with barrier nursing to prevent spread to other dogs. Treatment is supportive, including intravenous fluid therapy to correct the deficit cause by vomiting and diarrhoea and antiobiotics to reduce secondary infections. Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide may be necessary to control seizures. Although corticosteroids may alleviate clinical signs in the short term, they should be used with caution as they augment the immunosuppression caused by CDV and may enhance viral dissemination. Animals should be rested and fed a diet appropriate to the severity of their gastrointestinal signs. It should be explained to clients that if their animal appears to recover from the acute systemic effects of distemper, it may go on to develop potentially fatal neurological signs.

Dogs suffering distemper should be treated in isolation with barrier nursing to prevent spread to other dogs. Treatment is supportive, including intravenous fluid therapy to correct the deficit cause by vomiting and diarrhoea and antiobiotics to reduce secondary infections. Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide may be necessary to control seizures. Although corticosteroids may alleviate clinical signs in the short term, they should be used with caution as they augment the immunosuppression caused by CDV and may enhance viral dissemination. Animals should be rested and fed a diet appropriate to the severity of their gastrointestinal signs.

Vaccination is key to controlling canine distemper. Modified live vaccines are available, and are considered a "core" vaccination for dogs. Puppies can receive their first vaccinationbetween six and 16 weeks of age, usually at 2 - 3 week intervals. This multiple dose regimen is necessary because the maternal antibody in puppies greatly hampers the efficacy of vaccination by neutralizing viral antigen.

 

    * Modified live vaccines are administered to dogs between six and 16 weeks of age, usually at 2 - 3 week intervals. This multiple dose regimen is necessary because the maternal antibody in puppies greatly hampers the efficacy of vaccination by neutralizing viral antigen.

     * Dogs older than three months with unknown immune status should be vaccinated twice, 2 - 4 weeks apart, all dogs should receive periodic (one to two years-interval ) boosters.

     * Dogs older than three months with unknown immune status should be vaccinated twice, 2 - 4 weeks apart, all dogs should receive periodic (one to two years-interval ) boosters.

     * Pregnant bitches should not be vaccinated with modified live vaccines.

     * Pregnant bitches should not be vaccinated with modified live vaccines.