How to Care for Dogs with Distemper - Finding a good vet

The canine distemper is a viral disease that is most commonly associated with dogs and ferrets. It boasts an 80% mortality rate amongst puppies[1], with puppies from 3-6 months being the most susceptible as this corresponds to the decreased passive immunity obtained from the mother. Unfortunately, there are no specific treatments once a dog contracts this virus. All treatments are purely supportive and are there to help the dogs survive the ordeal. Vaccination is still the best prevention against this deadly disease.

Seek professional help. If for some reason your pet is not vaccinated (for example, you took in a stray carrying distemper), the first thing to do would be to find a good vet that will care for your dog. A good vet will first make sure if your pet really has distemper, or just a random episode of a flu. In the long run, a good vet will give you lots of advice on how to keep the dog alive and this is crucial for your dog's wellbeing. On the flip side, the vet will also be the one that will tell you when to let go, since distemper often progresses into a deadly neurological phase which causes deterioration of motor skills, lack of coordination and severe seizures.