Canine Distemper (Distemper in Dogs) Now is the time NOT to Panic!

Just the thought of our beloved pets becoming sick is worrisome for pet parents. We want them to have the best life possible during the short amount of time that they are with us on Earth. The more that we learn about the things that can harm them, the better prepared we will be to protect them! Just hearing the name of Distemper and Parvo can make dog owner shudder and justifiably so!

What is distemper?

Canine distemper is a serious and viral illness in dogs that has no known cure. It is highly contagious and fatal in far too many cases. It affects a variety of body systems like gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems. It also affects the eye's conjunctival membranes. Other wildlife species contract the virus as well, such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, and wolves. Another carrier of distemper is also a common household pet - the ferret.

Canine distemper virus (CDV or CD)

The canine distemper virus is what actually causes the illness distemper. Pet owners recoil at hearing distemper, simply because like cancer, there is no cure yet. Measles is the closest human disease related to distemper. In fact, the Morbillyirus virusclass (a measles relative) is where distemper originates. It is also related to the Phocine virus and the Rinderpest virus, which cause seal distemper and cattle distemper respectively.

How is distemper contracted?

The most common way that our dogs become infected with the canine distemper virus is by coming into direct contact with secretions containing virus particles in another infected animal. This usually happens just by breathing the same air. It is also possible for indirect transmission to occur but it is quite rare.

The virus needs a hospitable environment in which to thrive. If an infected animal were to sneeze on the couch, another pup could only become infected if they were to be exposed to the virus particles in a relatively quick period of time. After a dog has recovered, they are still able to shed the virus around them, even several weeks later.

Risk Factors for Canine Distemper

There are no genetic markers for canine distemper and it does not discriminate. Puppies are regularly vaccinated for distemper, but as with any other vaccination, it takes times to become fully effective. Pups under the age of four months and dogs who have never been vaccinated are the most at risk for contracting distemper. If it is possible for your dog to be exposed to wildlife or their excrement, they may also end up being at risk.

Canine distemper symptoms

Multiple body systems are affected when your pet has distemper. Among the most seriously affected are the spinal cord, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the brain. As you can see, canine distemper is a horrible disease. While some domestic pets will show only the mildest of symptoms, others will never recover.

Thanks to the prevalence of distemper vaccines, vets see fewer cases than ever before. However, there are localized outbreaks and single cases that do occur sporadically around the globe.

The following is a list of common symptoms that may be seen in a domestic dog with distemper:

• Lethargy
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Nasal and ocular discharge
• Eye inflammation
• Fever
• Bacterial infections
• Hardening of the nose tissue and footpads
• Laboured breathing and / or coughing
• Variable neurological symptoms, including paralysis or weakness, twitching muscles, heightened sensitivity to pain or touch, seizures, and uncoordinated movements

How to diagnose distemper

Both clinical signs and pet history are used to diagnose canine distemper. It may take a long time for any symptoms to become noticeable, and because they vary from one pet to another, final diagnosis can be hindered by the presence of secondary infections.

Certain other infections can mimic the signs of distemper as well, making the vet's job even harder. Thankfully, there are blood tests capable of detecting the distemper virus in your pet.

Canine distemper vaccine

The canine distemper vaccine is given by your vet as one of the core vaccines for optimal health. Normally it is a combination shot with the abbreviation "DHPPV." It includes a vaccine for canine adenovirus-2 and canine parvovirus infection. D = Distemper HP = Hepatitis PV= Parvovirus. Depending on the age of the pup, rabies and Bordetella (kennel cough) may also be given at this time.

The starting age for vaccination in puppies is around six weeks. They receive additional booster shots every two to four weeks until they have reached the age of four months. There is generally a repeat of the vaccinations after a year and then your vet will set a schedule appropriate to your pup's life cycles.

Distemper treatment

There is no cure for distemper. Treatment is all about managing the symptoms and secondary infections that pop up. The potential for a fatal outcome still exists, even with treatment. Your vet will create a plan for treatment based on the symptoms of your pup, but some common options are antibiotics, anticonvulsants, drugs to reduce vomiting, and IV fluids.

Can distemper pass from dogs to humans?

Even though canine distemper virus is so similar to the measles virus that inflicts humans, it is NOT possible for the disease to be transmitted from the family pooch to you (Not Zoonotic). One important distinction however, is that no illness or symptoms will be present in your body if you do catch it. In this regard, it is no threat to humans who contract it.

Unfortunately, you will be a carrier of the virus, making it possible for you to infect canines that cross your path. This can become a vicious cycle if your pet infects other humans as well. The best thing you can do to protect the safety of other pets and people, along with yourself, is to keep your dog isolated to help stop the spread of infection.

This side of the coin is not the one you want to be on. Your pup is part of your family, and as such, it is critical to do everything possible to help them grow up healthy. Visit your vet on a regular basis for vaccinations and yearly checkups. Prevention is always the best cure.

References:

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/canine-distemper#1

http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/Canine-Distemper/Symptoms.aspx

https://www.vetinfo.com/is-distemper-in-dogs-contagious-to-humans.html

Best Apartment Dogs and How things have changed for the better!

Years ago, potential owners thought that in order to have a dog, you needed to have a big house, big yard, and white picket fence. Very often, people who wanted to get a dog of their own were told that an apartment was an inappropriate home, since dogs need plenty of fresh air and exercise. Of course, this is true, but as long as you are willing to exercise your pup, taking them for walks and potty time, there is no reason why you cannot live the dream and own one for yourself. For the majority of apartment dwellers, they will be on the lookout for a breed that is friendly and quiet.

Best dogs for apartment living

Not every breed is perfectly suited to life in a high-rise, whether it is the penthouse, or a two-bedroom corner unit on the second floor. It will take some careful thought and planning in order to choose the breed that is right for you and your lifestyle. Size will obviously be one consideration. It is important to make sure you have a happy pup, and if your home is extremely tiny, this should definitely be a factor in your final choice. Carefully attention also needs to be given to how noisy the animal is, its friendliness level, and how much energy they have.

Adult dogs that do the famous "crazy run" may not be the apple of your downstairs neighbour's eye if they hear what sounds like a stampede from above at 3am. Nor will your next-door neighbour likely be thrilled with howling every time you walk out the door. With this being said, many dog breeds are very adaptable and will do well in almost any type of environment. Perhaps surprisingly, consistently noted among the overall top five of best dogs for apartment living are Great Danes, Mastiffs, Pekingese, Pugs, and Lhasa Apsos.

Best small sized dogs for apartments

Being small is not a guarantee of a perfect apartment companion. There are certain breeds considered too vocal, and it may come down to getting yourself evicted if your neighbours are being driven crazy. Chihuahuas are the tiniest of dogs, but they often do not make ideal apartment dwellers because of their incessant barking and nervous energy. They are also the number one biting breed. Any animal you choose to live in an apartment with you must also be friendly, since there will be many occasions when your dog and guests or neighbours will cross paths. Five of the best small stature breeds that enjoy apartment living are listed below:

1. Maltese: Weighing in around nine pounds at adulthood, the Maltese is a great choice for small areas. They prefer to spend the majority of their time with their human, and they are relatively quiet. Since they have no undercoat, Maltese do not shed very much, making cleaning easier.

2. Bulldog: This breed is well known for being quite lazy. With the exception of short walks for potty time, your couch is very likely their favourite place to be. A bulldog can snooze the day away and be perfectly content, making them a great choice for apartment dogs.

3. Yorkshire Terrier: These tiny little balls of cuteness are very quiet on average, and they take up no space. They are happy to follow you around, curl up in your lap, or sleep in their favourite spot. They are adaptable and friendly, both with other animals and with humans, making them a common choice for apartment pets.

4. Dachshund: Even though this breed is quite energetic, the fact that their legs are so small makes it possible to get all the exercise they need from running around the home. They love to go for short walks, and they are extremely friendly, grabbing the hearts of everyone they meet.

5. Toy or Miniature Poodle: Although they may be small, poodles are extremely smart. They each have their own quirks, but in general, they have a great disposition. Poodles require very little room to be happy. New people they meet are fair game for kisses, and they get along well with other pets as well. A small amount of basic obedience training will help to curb any slight barking issues.

Best big apartment dogs

Just like dogs, apartments come in all shapes and sizes. As a rough guide, the larger the apartment is the bigger size dog you will be able to get. This is not written in stone however, so be prepared to make some adjustments with your choices. Dog owners who are lucky enough to have very spacious surroundings will do very well with any of the following breeds listed below:

• Great Dane
• Mastiff
• American Pit Bull
• Greyhound
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Whippet
• Brittany

This is only a small sampling of breeds that would be great choices. There are so many others that it would take pages to list them. While all of the breeds listed above may seem strange choices for apartment dogs, each of them are docile, laid-back, and quite happy to lounge around until exercise time. For the most part, they are quiet as well, and protective of their humans.

Best small apartment dogs

So you don't live in the penthouse, but is your small two-bedroom apartment capable of housing a furry companion? Of course it is! You just need to pick the right dog. There are oodles of breeds which are sized perfectly to fit in with small apartment living. Several of these breeds are large as well. For instance, the Greyhound is more than suitable for a small apartment. Since the majority of these graceful animals are retired racers, lounging on the couch all day is heaven as far as they are concerned. They do need plenty of exercise to get rid of their energy though, and if you are a jogger, a Greyhound could not be better suited for you. Below is a small sample list of other breeds that do well in small apartments due to their personalities and exercise requirements:

• Chinese Crested
• Bichon Frise
• Pomeranian
• Small terrier breeds
• King Charles Spaniel
• Havanese
• Shih Tzu
• Pug

Out of the breeds listed above, the Chinese Crested is very likely the best choice for inactive or senior owners since they are extremely low maintenance. Their favourite indoor activity is simply to follow their owner from room to room, or to perch on the back of sofas or chairs.

Best apartment dogs for guys/girls

Each person has his or her own personal favourite dog breed. While it may be expected that small dogs are girlie, and the larger dogs are better suited to guys, this stereotype has no basis in fact. A certain type will grab your heart and it can be difficult to consider any other. However, there are some dogs potentially better suited to living with one sex or the other.

Let us begin with the women. Females who live alone are often concerned about personal security, making this a major factor in the type of dog they choose. While they may not be looking for a pet that lives for the "kill" command, some breeds look intimidating enough to make most would-be intruders think twice. Falling into this category are dogs such as Mastiffs, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers. Girls who are looking for great companions may choose from among breeds such as Corgis, Whippets, American Pit Bulls, Basset Hounds, and Great Danes, among others. If the primary reason behind your choice of dog is a partner for workouts, think along the lines of Border Collies, Shiba Inus, Jack Russels, Labs, Retrievers, Weimaraners, or even Huskies.

Men who are looking for their perfect match have many choices as well. If companionship is the main motivation behind getting a pet, breeds such as Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Beagles, Australian Shepherds, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are good choices. For guarding the home and personal security, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, and Thai Ridgebacks are more than up to the job. For guys who are active and would like a four-legged partner to exercise with, consider breeds such as Labs, Brittanys, Pachon Navarros, Irish Setters, Border Collies, and Bloodhounds are worth giving some thought to.

Best quiet apartment dogs

We all know how aggravating it can be to listen to excessive barking or incessant whining or howling. If you reside in an apartment building and have a pet, one of your responsibilities is to make sure that your dog does not become the building's least favourite resident. This comes with good news however, since there are numerous breed choices known to be capable of keeping mum.

The Basengi is an African breed known as "bark less." They are not completely silent, capable of various vocalizations ranging from a yodel to whines and growls. This breed also highly intelligent and is not for everyone. While fun and mischievous, they often choose to use their smarts to get up to no good. Other options for quieter pups to pick from include the King Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Italian Greyhound, Chinese Crested, Havanese, and French Bulldog.

Best non-shedding apartment dogs

With the relatively small amount of square footage available in most apartments, keeping the home clean is of top importance for most people. Choosing a breed that loses little to know hair is one way to cut down on the time you spend housecleaning. Thankfully, several canine companions fit the bill perfectly. The number one choice for non-shedding dogs is one that most people have never even heard of. Listed with the rarest and oldest of all known breeds, the Xoloitzcuintli has been roaming around since the Aztec days. They are officially recognized by the AKC, and while they may be difficult to find, if hair is truly an issue for you, it may well be worth the time to track one down. Among the other top choices for non-shedding, apartment dogs are the Chinese Crested, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Poodles, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, and Bichon Frise.

It's been said that a house is not a home without the patter of paws, and it applies in equal measure to apartments. The dogs that we choose to love become our companions, friends, confidants, and much more. Just because you live in an apartment does not mean that you need to give up on having a pup of your own. Do the proper amounts of research until you find the perfect one to fit in with you, your lifestyle, and your living arrangements, and then enjoy your life together.