What is canine distemper?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
Canine distemper is a serious viral disease of dogs that can attack the skin, airways, gut and nervous system. It spreads in droplets from coughing, sneezing and barking, and through body fluids. There is no specific cure, and some dogs do not survive even with treatment. The D in the DHPPi vaccine prevents it.
Also called distemper, CDV, canine distemper virus, hard pad disease.
Key facts
- The skin, respiratory, gut and central nervous systems can all be affected. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- It spreads mainly by airborne droplets, and infected dogs can spread it for days before they look ill. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- There is no specific treatment or cure; care manages signs and prevents secondary infection. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Distemper vaccine is core for every dog, starting at 6 to 8 weeks and repeated until 16 weeks or older. WSAVAstudy
- The virus also infects other carnivores such as ferrets, raccoons and foxes. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
How does distemper spread?
The virus leaves an infected dog in droplets when it coughs, sneezes or barks, and in saliva, urine and faeces. Dogs nearby breathe it in. An infected dog can be contagious for several days before it shows any sign, which is how the disease moves through groups of unvaccinated dogs.
Most household disinfectants kill the virus easily, unlike parvovirus. The bigger risk in India is contact with unvaccinated dogs: community dogs, new puppies from unknown litters, and puppies taken out before their vaccine course is complete.
What are the signs of distemper?
Signs depend on which body systems the virus reaches, and they can appear in stages.
| What you may see | |
|---|---|
| Airways and eyes Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine | Coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose |
| Gut Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine | Vomiting, diarrhoea, poor appetite |
| Skin Merck Veterinary Manual | Thickening or crusting of the nose and paw pads (the old name, hard pad, comes from this) |
| Nervous system Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine | Unsteady walking, muscle twitches especially in the face, seizures, paralysis |
Nerve signs can be delayed by several weeks or months after the first illness (Merck Veterinary Manual).
Can a dog survive distemper?
Some do. Survival depends mostly on the dog's own immune response, and Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center warns that it can be a devastating disease which some dogs do not recover from despite treatment. Vets give supportive care: fluids, nutrition, treatment of secondary infections and control of seizures.
Dogs that recover are probably protected for a long time, possibly for life. A few are left with lasting twitches, and a rare late form, known as old dog distemper, can show nerve signs years afterwards.
How is distemper prevented?
By vaccination. WSAVA lists distemper with adenovirus and parvovirus as the core vaccines every dog should have, wherever it lives. On Indian vaccine cards it is the D in DHPPi or DHPPiL. Puppies get several doses from 6 to 8 weeks until 16 weeks or older, then a booster; adult boosters follow your vet's schedule.
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Questions owners ask
Is canine distemper curable?
- There is no specific medicine that cures distemper. Vets give supportive care such as fluids, nutrition, treatment of secondary infections and seizure control, and some dogs recover. Others do not survive despite treatment, which is why vaccination is the main defence.
Can a dog that has recovered from distemper still spread it?
- For a while, yes. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that some infected dogs shed the virus for several months. Keep a recovering dog away from puppies and unvaccinated dogs until your vet says it is safe, and make sure every other dog in the home is fully vaccinated.
Which vaccine protects against distemper?
- The core combination vaccine for dogs, written DHPPi or DHPPiL on many Indian vaccine cards. The D stands for distemper. Puppies need several doses from 6 to 8 weeks until 16 weeks or older and a booster after that; your vet decides the adult schedule.
How long after exposure do distemper signs appear?
- A short fever usually comes 3 to 6 days after infection and is easily missed. Cough, discharge and gut signs follow, and nerve signs can be delayed by several weeks or months. Any unvaccinated puppy with eye and nose discharge and a cough needs a vet.
Keep reading
Related terms
More in health conditions
- ArthritisArthritis, or osteoarthritis, is a long-term joint disease in which worn cartilage lets the joint surfaces rub, causing stiffness, swelling and pain. It is very common in older dogs and cats. It cannot be cured, but pain relief from a vet, a healthy weight, gentle regular exercise and a few home changes keep most pets comfortable for years.
- Bloat (GDV)Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is when a dog's stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off its blood supply. It mainly affects large and giant deep-chested breeds. Unproductive retching, a swelling belly, drooling and restlessness are the signs. It is a surgical emergency that can kill within hours.
- BOASBOAS, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, is a breathing disorder of flat-faced dogs. Narrow nostrils, an overlong soft palate and a small windpipe block airflow, so affected dogs snore, snort, tire quickly and overheat easily. It is worse in heat, humidity and obesity. Surgery can widen the airway, and a lean weight helps.
- Canine parvovirusCanine parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that attacks a dog's gut and immune system. It spreads through infected faeces, survives a long time in the environment and hits unvaccinated puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months hardest. Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea can kill within days, and it is prevented by the core vaccine.
- Cat fluCat flu is the everyday name for an upper respiratory infection in cats. More than 90% of cases are caused by feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus or both. Cats sneeze, have runny eyes and nose and may stop eating. Most recovered cats remain carriers, and stress can bring the virus back. Vaccination usually prevents severe disease.
- Cherry eyeCherry eye is when the tear gland inside a dog's third eyelid slips out of place and shows as a smooth, red, cherry-like lump in the inner corner of the eye. It is common in young Bulldogs, Beagles, Shih Tzus and Pugs, and needs a vet, usually for surgery to put the gland back.
- Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow, lasting loss of kidney function, common in older cats and also seen in older dogs. Early on there are often no signs; later a pet drinks and urinates more, eats less and loses weight. It cannot be cured, but a kidney diet, water and regular checks can slow it.
- DehydrationDehydration means a pet's body has lost more water than it has taken in, through heat, panting, vomiting, diarrhoea or illness. Early on the gums turn sticky; then the skin loses its spring and the eyes sink. A mildly dehydrated pet needs water and a watchful eye; a weak, vomiting or collapsing one needs a vet now.
- Dental diseaseDental disease in pets is mostly periodontal disease: plaque bacteria inflame the gums (gingivitis) and then destroy the tissue and bone holding the teeth (periodontitis). It is the most common disorder vets diagnose in dogs, and very common in cats. Bad breath, tartar and red gums are the early signs. Daily brushing prevents most of it.
- Diabetes in petsDiabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition in which a dog or cat cannot make or use enough insulin, so sugar builds up in the blood. Signs are drinking and peeing more, hunger and weight loss. Most diabetic pets live well on insulin injections given at set times with meals, and some cats go into remission.
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Canine distemper virus (Riney Canine Health Center) (opens in a new tab)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Canine distemper (opens in a new tab)
- WSAVA: Core and non-core vaccines for pet dogs (opens in a new tab)
- WSAVA: 2024 guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats (WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group, Journal of Small Animal Practice) (opens in a new tab)