One of the most dangerous diseases/virus that a dog or puppy can get is the Distemper Disease. Canine distemper is a very life-threatening disease for many dogs including German Shepherds and chihuahuas. It is triggered by a highly contagious virus that attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory and the nervous systems of dogs and creatures alike.
The sad thing about it is that once a dog develops the disease, It’s almost certain that more than fifty percent of them die from canine distemper. Another words, the chances of the dog/puppy surviving is very slim. The survival rate is even lower with puppies by over twenty percent.
Another point to bring across is the fact that even if the poor dog survives it, the chances are very high that he will have permanently have damaged his general health.
Another sad note about this disease, is that it is very contagious and easy for another animal who comes into contact with them to catch it. Some ways of catching the disease are by one animal to come into contact with a contaminated animal’s mucous or discharges like run off from the eyes or nose. Which also includes exposure to that infected animals feces and urine.
The symptoms usually includes foul Breath, abnormal limping, loss of appetite, excessive water consumption, being lethargic, abnormal eye or nose discharge, difficulty getting up or lying down and constant head shaking, scratching, licking or biting of body. If your dog happens to show any signs of these, it is best recommended to have him get checked up before it is too late.
This disease known as Canine Distemper is a very serious disease which affects millions of dogs world wide. As the owner of your pet, it is up to you to protect your dog or puppy from this nightmare.