Distemper in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Distemper in dogs is a worrisome, highly contagious and potentially deadly viral illness without the proper prevention or treatments. What is distemper in dogs? Distemper attacks dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI) and nervous systems, and it’s more common than you may think.

Distemper is a virus found globally in a variety of mammals that can quickly spread the virus, including but not limited to: 

• Raccoons
• Skunks
• Foxes
• Big cats in zoos
• Ferrets
• Otters
• Hyenas
• Weasels
• Badgers

So now you might wonder, Can cats get distemper from dogs, and vice versa? They can’t, but it’s important to illustrate how widespread the disease is because each species listed can easily spread it among themselves.

Because of the widespread severity of this disease and how common distemper is in dogs, pet parents need information and guidance about canine distemper, including the symptoms, causes and potential complications of canine distemper, as well as advice on how to prevent and treat the disease. Our experts share information identifying: 

• The causes of canine distemper
• How canine distemper spreads
• What are the symptoms of distemper in dogs
• The importance of distemper vaccination
• When to seek veterinary care
• Information on treating and managing the disease, such as medication and supportive care

How Do Dogs Get Distemper?

What causes distemper in dogs? Distemper is so contagious because it’s airborne, meaning even barking from a dog passing by your dog might spread the disease to your dog, for instance. Other ways that your dog can catch the disease include: 

• Infected dogs sneezing
• Infected dogs coughing
• Shared food bowls
• Shared water

Distemper Vaccine for Dogs

You might ask, What is a distemper vaccine for dogs? or What is a distemper shot for dogs exactly? It’s a modified live vaccine that’s highly effective and a core vaccination. 

Because distemper in dogs is highly contagious, we recommend vaccinating your dog for distemper as a puppy, if possible. How often do dogs need distemper shots? A typical canine distemper vaccine schedule includes: 

1. The first vaccine administered at 6-8 weeks old 
2. Until they are 16 weeks old, continue receiving a series of boosters every 2-4 weeks

If you adopted your dog at an older age and they’re not vaccinated, it’s not too late to protect them against distemper. Visit your veterinarian as soon as possible, and they can devise a plan to protect your dog from getting sick as effectively as possible. A vaccine schedule for adult unvaccinated dogs may include a series of a couple of vaccines, 2-4 weeks apart.

Can a vaccinated dog get distemper? Rare cases exist, yes, as vaccines cannot guarantee protection. The best defense against that worst-case scenario is to keep your dog’s vaccine schedule current. Your veterinarian may recommend that you vaccinate your dog against distemper every 1-3 years. Consult your veterinarian for the best vaccine schedule to keep your dog safe.

Side Effects of Distemper Vaccine in Dogs

What does a distemper shot do for a dog? Vaccines work to protect against disease by stimulating the immune system. Most dogs do not develop side effects from getting vaccinated. Some can develop a mild fever or become sore at the injection site. Allergic reactions can occur in rare cases. Your veterinarian should provide the benefits and risks specific to your dog.

Distemper Symptoms in Dogs

What does distemper do to dogs? Watch out for the following distemper signs and symptoms in dogs: 

• Reduced appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Twitching
• Heavy discharge from eyes or runny nose
• Fever
• Paralysis
• Hardened and thick footpads

Signs of distemper in dogs may mirror canine parvovirus symptoms in that they both target dogs’ GI systems. Some of the first symptoms may include related symptoms such as vomiting, appetite loss and diarrhea. Both diseases can be fatal, so you must consult a veterinarian once you notice any of the symptoms, as mentioned earlier, so that you can adequately treat your pup’s ailments. 

How to Treat Distemper in Dogs

Take your dog to a veterinarian as soon as you suspect your dog has distemper. Because distemper is viral, as soon as the disease is suspected, dogs must be handled only by people wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolated from others. 

If you think your dog has canine distemper, bringing in your dog as soon as possible for treatment is paramount for recovery. Can dogs survive distemper? Absolutely, but it’s important to note that no antiviral drug is currently available to treat the canine distemper virus. Distemper in dogs’ treatment may include supportive care to reduce fever, treat possible secondary infections, and help dogs regain their appetite. The supportive care may include: 

1. Medications/Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and control vomiting, diarrhea and neurologic signs
2. Fluids to correct dehydration

How to Know if a Dog is Recovering From Distemper

A dog recovering from distemper will gradually lose their fever and regain their appetite. From there, they’ll regain their strength.

Over half of the dogs who contract distemper do not recover; prevention is far more important (aka vaccination). Pet parents may ask, panicked, How long does distemper take to kill a dog? If not properly treated, it can take 2-4 weeks.

Unfortunately, if your dog is recovering from distemper, you still need to look out for a relapse of central nervous system symptoms as far out as several months after the initial distemper infection. Without proper treatment, it can be fatal. Symptoms may include: 

• Coordination loss
• Seizures
• Head tilts or circling

If neurological signs continue to worsen, you should consult your veterinarian about when to put a dog down with distemper.

Chances of recovery improve dramatically the sooner you bring your dog to the vet upon noticing symptoms. Also, it is good to know that dogs that recover from distemper aren’t considered carriers of the distemper disease. The best solution is to keep your dog up-to-date with vaccines.

For more expert tips on dogs’ health, explore our other dog symptoms articles.