Question: I have recently adopted a puppy named Ellie. My friend told me about canine distemper. How can I prevent my puppy from contracting this disease?

Answer: Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease in dogs that attacks the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tracts and the central nervous system.

Due to effective vaccines, canine distemper cases are fewer these days.

As the dog breathes, canine distemper virus travels as aerosol particles and enters the body through mouth or nose.

Prime symptoms are high fever, reddened eyes, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, pus-like discharge in eyes, vomiting and coughing.

If left untreated, the virus can travel to the central nervous system, displaying neurological symptoms, such as circling, head tilt, involuntary twitching of muscles, seizures, temporal twitching, chewing movements of jaw (chewing gum fits) and complete or partial paralysis.

Abnormal thickening and hardening of the feet pads may also be caused by certain strains of virus.

Treatment focuses on mitigating the symptoms by Intravenous fluid administration, cleaning of the eyes and nose, controlling the vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

To control the spread of infection, immediate isolation of the infected animal is essential.

Puppies are born with mother’s antibodies which prevents them from becoming infected by many diseases. They begin to lose their maternal protection between six and 12 weeks of age, which is when they need to be vaccinated.

• Dr Hansel is a veterinary consultant and surgeon for the BSPCA and Charis vets. Please send questions to bspca@batelco.com.bh