Distemper: What Every Dog Owner Must Know

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 1
5 min read

Canine distemper is an illness that every dog owner should be familiar with because it's so dangerous when it strikes.

The good news? With the right information (and by keeping your pup vaccinated), you can significantly reduce your dog’s chances of getting this life-threatening illness.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your pup.

What Is Distemper?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), distemper is a serious and extremely contagious disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). It affects your dog's gastrointestinal, nervous, and respiratory systems.

What Dogs Are Most at Risk of Getting Distemper?

Distemper is more common in puppies under four months old and unvaccinated dogs.

Learn More: Puppy Vaccine Schedule

What Is the Prognosis for Distemper?

The prognosis isn’t great. Distemper can be fatal. And dogs that do survive typically have permanent damage to their nervous systems.

How Common Is Distemper?

Fortunately, distemper isn’t as common today as it was in the 1970s. This is thanks to vaccines.

However, just because it's not as common as it used to be doesn't mean your dog can't get distemper. It is still out there, and we have heard of recent cases from other rescues and shelters we work with.

Learn More: Common Health Issues Your Shelter Dog May Come Home With

How Is Distemper Diagnosed?

Diagnosing distemper can be challenging since its clinical signs are often similar to those of other common diseases. As a result, doing a PCR test is the best option. You can also have your vet do a blood antibody level test.

Some vets may even suggest doing blood work or chest X-rays to check for any other infections.

Learn More: How To Choose a Veterinarian

How (And Where) Do Dogs Get Distemper?

Distemper is transmitted through airborne droplets (via barks, sneezes, and coughs).

It's also spread through direct contact with an infected dog's saliva, urine, or feces. This can happen from shared food or water bowls or just being in close proximity to an infected dog.

Infected mom dogs can even spread the disease to their unborn puppies.

High-risk places include:

Animal shelters
Dog parks
Kennels

We have also heard of cases in puppy mill pups and backyard breeder dogs.

How Long After Exposure To Distemper Does a Dog Get Sick?

It can take anywhere from under a week to six weeks for an infected dog to show signs of illness.

What Are the Symptoms of Distemper?

Distemper symptoms appear in stages and may worsen over time. Early signs include:

Coughing
Diarrhea and vomiting
Eye and nose discharge
Fever
Lethargy
Reduced appetite

As it progresses, dogs may show:

Convulsions
Coordination issues
Head tilt
Muscle twitches
Partial or full paralysis
Seizures
Walking in circles

Not all dogs show every symptom, and some early symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses. This can make early detection tricky.

What Health Issues Can Distemper Cause?

Distemper doesn’t just make dogs sick. It can permanently damage multiple body systems.

Long-term health issues may include:

Neurological symptoms (“old dog distemper” syndrome)
Residual muscle twitches
Seizures
Tooth damage

Even dogs that survive often require long-term care and rehabilitation.

How Is Distemper Treated?

There is no cure for distemper. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing secondary infections. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.

Your dog will need veterinary care if they have distemper. This may include hospitalization along with:

Anti-nausea medications for GI symptoms
Anti-seizure medications in mild neurological cases
Antibiotics
Easy-to-digest food
IV fluids

Additionally, humane euthanasia is considered for severe or unmanageable cases.

How Long Does Distemper Last?

Dogs can be sick with distemper for anywhere from 10 days to months. The length of symptoms can vary based on the strain of the virus and how strong your dog’s immune system is.

Additionally, dogs who survive distemper may have long-term health impacts even once the virus is cleared from their system.

How Long Can Distemper Live on Surfaces?

The virus generally cannot survive outside of a host for more than a few days. However, the virus can live longer in food bowls or wet toys.

It is SO important to regularly disinfect and wash your dog’s supplies and gear to reduce the odds of transmission.

Is Distemper Deadly?

Yes. The AVMA reports that one in two dogs who get distemper may die from the illness.

Is Distemper Contagious To Other Dogs?

Yes. Distemper is highly contagious to other dogs. Keeping sick dogs quarantined from other dogs and practicing effective sanitizing protocols is critical to prevent the spread of this virus.

How Long Are Dogs With Distemper Contagious?

Dogs can be contagious for several months after being diagnosed with distemper. Additionally, dogs can be contagious to other dogs several days prior to showing illness.

Is Distemper Contagious To People?

No. Distemper is not contagious to humans.

Is There a Vaccine for Distemper?

Yes! In fact, the best way to protect your dog from getting distemper is to make sure they are vaccinated.

Distemper is a core vaccine recommended to both puppy and adult dogs. It’s sometimes abbreviated as DAPP or DA2PP.

Can Dogs Still Get Distemper if They've Been Vaccinated?

Yes. The Vets report that the vaccine is not 100% effective, but it is highly effective.

Learn More: Adult Dog Vaccine Schedule

How Can I Protect My Dog From Getting Distemper?

Vaccinating your dog is the best way to prevent them from contracting distemper.

Other smart prevention tips include:

Avoiding dog parks or daycare until your puppy is fully vaccinated
Keeping your dog away from sick dogs or dogs you know have been infected
Keeping your dog away from wildlife
Only sending your dog to doggy daycare or boarding facilities that require up-to-date vaccines
Practicing good hygiene if exposed to sick animals
Regularly washing food bowls, water bowls, dog toys, dog beds, and other dog-related items

Learn More: Dog Parks 101

Final Thoughts

Distemper is a very serious condition, but it's also highly preventable. With up-to-date vaccinations, a little awareness, and quick action if symptoms appear, you can dramatically reduce your dog's risk.

If you ever suspect something is off, call your vet immediately. Early care can be lifesaving.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as professional medical advice. It is based on personal experience and online research. Please consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's health.