Canine Distemper Vaccines
What is distemper?
Distemper is a harmful and incredibly contagious viral illness. It affects dogs, ferrets, and wild animals like raccoons and skunks.
What causes distemper in dogs?
Distemper is caused by canine distemper virus, or CDV. Dogs contract this virus by making direct contact with a symptomatic, infected dog. Infected dogs can also spread the virus by sneezing or coughing.
What are the most common distemper symptoms?
The signs of distemper can vary, but may include:
- Yellow, thick discharge from the nose and/or eyes
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Neurological problems
- Seizures
There are other illnesses that can present with some of the same neurological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, distemper is unique in that it typically causes all of these signs simultaneously, where other diseases may present with just one or two.
What are the complications and risks of distemper?
Distemper is an incurable virus. It is a multi-systemic disease that is usually fatal. It affects the gastrointestinal, central nervous, and respiratory systems, along with many organs. There is no treatment that effectively cures canine distemper virus infection. Veterinarians can only work to alleviate symptoms, such as associated bacterial infections, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and seizures. However, even with symptomatic treatment, canine distemper virus is typically deadly. For this reason, veterinarians consider the distemper vaccine cost for dogs to be negligible in comparison to the life-saving benefits of protecting your dog from this extremely contagious virus.
What can I do to protect my dog from distemper?
Preventing distemper through vaccination is the only way to truly protect your dog. Adverse reactions are uncommon, and the benefits of vaccinating your dog far outweigh any potential side effects of distemper vaccine in dogs. Although atypical, the most commonly reported side effects are injection site or allergic reactions.
Veterinarians are often asked if a vaccinated dog can get distemper. Although no vaccine can technically be declared 100% effective, the distemper vaccine for dogs is extremely useful in preventing distemper. So what exactly is a distemper vaccine for dogs? Like other vaccines, the products that work to protect your dog from canine distemper virus contain either killed or inactivated viruses that provide your dog with antibodies. These antibodies will work to fight against distemper virus if your dog should come into contact with it.
Most pet parents have a hard time remembering which vaccines are required for puppies. Your veterinarian is skilled at keeping your puppy on the appropriate schedule to maintain health and protection. A common question is, “How often does my dog need a distemper vaccine?” Most distemper vaccines are administered several times as your puppy grows, then every few years after that. However, it is important to check with your vet to confirm frequency, particularly if you will be administering vaccines at home. How long is a distemper vaccine good for in dogs depends on many factors, including the type of vaccine and the dog’s age.
Some of the most-recommended distemper vaccines include:
- Canine Spectra 5, 6, 9, and 10 – These effective options for distemper vaccine for dogs offer broad-spectrum protection against a number of common canine illnesses. Your veterinarian can help you decide which vaccination is the right choice for your dog. All of the Spectra vaccines protect against canine distemper, and because dogs need parvo vaccines as well, the Spectra vaccines are a great choice for all-in-one protection. All of these Spectra vaccines protect against both deadly viruses, along with parainfluenza, adenovirus, and hepatitis. Spectra 6 offers added coronavirus protection, and Spectra 9 and 10 include protection from many types of Leptospira.
- Nobivac Canine – Another top-of-the-line range, Nobivac offers several options that include protection against distemper. Mitigating the distemper vaccine cost for dogs is easy when you choose a comprehensive vaccine like the ones offered by Nobivac. Each Nobivac canine vaccine is an effective parvovirus and distemper vaccine for dogs. Depending on the Nobivac vaccine you choose, you can also protect your dog from coronavirus, adenovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and/or parainfluenza in one easy vaccine.
- Canine Solo Jec – This line of vaccines offers extensive protection against many canine illnesses. Each of these Canine Solo Jec products is a powerful adenovirus, parvovirus, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, and distemper vaccine for dogs. Depending on the vaccine you select, you can also protect your dog from diseases like hepatitis, coronavirus, leptospirosis, and adenovirus type 1.
- Duramune – Another trusted vaccine brand, Duramune offers inclusive protection against a number of canine diseases. Each Duramune canine vaccine will work to protect your dog from distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus type 2, and parainfluenza. Added protection is offered based on the vaccine you choose for your dog. Duramune vaccines can also protect from illnesses like coronavirus, leptospirosis, and/or hepatitis.
Because Allivet is a certified online pharmacy, we offer all the vaccines, medications, and products your dog needs for health and happiness!