Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Distemper is a contagious, viral disease with no known cure that can affect many animals, and also wild and domestic dogs, cats, primates, and others. In dogs, distemper can attack several systems in the body, including respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as the brain and the spinal cord. It is of utmost importance that the disease is diagnosed and treated, so keep on reading on to find out more about distemper, how to spot it, how to treat it, and ultimately, how to improve your dog’s quality of life with proper care. Your dog will be highly limited in any activities they can partake in as they fight this illness.
Before we start assuming the worst, we always need to approach these things studiously and seriously. Panicking won’t get you anywhere, it will just cause stress to both you and your dog, and we all know that stress is one of the worst things we can do in dire situations. So, stay calm, and open your eyes, and look for common symptoms of this disease. It would not hurt to write down everything that you notice so that you can have the most accurate information for your vet who can diagnose the condition much easier with an abundance of information.
When it comes to the diagnosis of any disease, the best thing you can do is leave it to the professionals and not to try to diagnose anything yourself. Your vet will be able to assess the situation, especially if you have been a responsible dog owner and wrote down all the symptoms you have noticed. Your dog’s health insurance card is necessary here, as a series of tests will be performed, and what also matters is that you stay calm and composed during the whole process, not to stress out your dog, and to provide emotional support.Â
Once distemper has been diagnosed, it is time to treat it. The sad news is that there is no cure, however, what you can do is to care for your dog and make their lives easier. This is done by the prevention of other infections and diseases. You need to be careful when it comes to diarrhea, vomiting, as well as the neurological symptoms that may arise. If your dog becomes anorexic or if they have serious diarrhea, they may need intravenous supportive fluids. Also, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to control the symptoms which the secondary bacteria may cause.
The best way to cure, as always, is to prevent disease. Routine vaccination is an absolute must, as well as regular checkups to make sure that everything is functioning properly. You need to be aware and ready to react.Â
One more thing you need to be careful of the socialization of your dog. Try to avoid interaction with unvaccinated dogs to avoid infection, and always be careful when you are in nature to avoid contact with animals who are not properly vaccinated.
Even though distemper is, unfortunately, an incurable disease, it is still possible to maintain the quality of your dog’s life and make it a little bit easier to cope with the illness. Be conscientious and responsible, and always look for the signs of secondary infections that can make matters worse. Providing a lot of love and care is essential, and keeping your dog happy will help with the disease management and overall quality of life. So, a lot of love, a lot of tenderness, and a lot of care will go a long way! Once they are feeling bettter, taking them for walks and playing games at home can resume, lifting your pup's spirits.