Canine distemper, also known as Hardpad Disease, is a contagious viral disease that tends to cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system issues in dogs. It affects puppies the most, due to their weak immune systems and lack of full vaccinations.
Additionally, puppies tend to be in environments like shelters with close contact with numerous other dogs where Hardpad Disease can spread. This can be avoided when you decide to give your dog the Canine Distemper shot.
Let's learn more.
What is The Canine Distemper Shot?
There is a vaccine for Canine Distemper, and this shot is highly effective. The success rate of this vaccine is 95% or higher, and offers dogs immunity for several years while their immune systems have time to fully develop.
Depending on your dog's lifestyle and likelihood to encounter infected dogs, your veterinarian may recommend booster shots every few years.
There are typically three shots involved:
- First Shot: The first shot is given to your puppy at around 7 weeks of age.
- Second shot: The follow up booster is given at 12 weeks of age.
- Third Shot: The third and final booster of the initial vaccine is given at 16 weeks of age.
It's very important to get your dog all three shots, because your puppy has maternal antibodies (from their mother's milk) that likely interfere with the vaccine's first application. The boosters allow full immunity, reducing your dog's vulnerability to Canine Distemper almost completely.
The side effects of the vaccine are rare, mild, and temporary. The benefits of giving your dog the Canine Distemper shot far outweigh the temporary downsides.
Has The Canine Distemper Shot Caused Blindness Suddenly in Some Dogs?
There is a concern among dog owners that the Canine Distemper shot may cause sudden blindness in dogs, but these concerns are unfounded. Canine Distemper itself can cause blindness, but the vaccine isn't known to.
If a dog's immune system is extremely compromised or they have an extreme reaction to the vaccine, this could cause complications to their vision. That said, this is an extremely rare complication, even for dogs with compromised immune systems.
What Happens if Your Dog Gets Hardpad Disease (Canine Distemper)?
Canine distemper is a very serious, and potentially fatal infection that affects numerous bodily systems in your dog. The infection is lifelong, and could cause significant detriment to your dog's overall quality of life and longevity.
- The Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of Hardpad Disease are immune based, and can look like allergies are flu-like symptoms. These include fever, discharge (nose and eyes), decreased energy, unwillingness to eat, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea.
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Symptom Progression: As early as a few weeks after infection, distemper can cause twitches, tremors, seizures, paralysis, hardened paw pads, confusion, and even aggression.
- Weakened Lifelong Immune System: Canine Distemper will likely weaken your dog's immune system, opening them up to contracting secondary infections that can also be life threatening.
- There is No Cure: Dogs with Canine Distemper require supportive care and ongoing management of their infection for life.
These symptoms are avoided in almost all cases when a dog is vaccinated with the proper regiment of Canine Distemper shots and subsequent boosters.
Conclusion
Canine Distemper is a viral condition that causes a hearbreaking set of symptoms in dogs, all of which are largely preventable with the use of a vaccine.
Puppies should be vaccinated against Canine Distemper in order to avoid this issue. If your adult dog's risk of exposure is high, your veterinarian may also recommend boosters periodically throughout their life. A daily immune-boosting regimen for dogs can also provide a well-rounded support for their overall defense against disease, infection, and allergies.
