Canine distemper virus is a highly lethal virus for puppies, and so far there is no specific medicine available for treatment. Drugs like Canine Distemper Ling can only serve as auxiliary treatment for distemper. The recovery rate after infection is generally low, especially when it enters the late stage of canine distemper and severe symptoms such as seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea appear. At this point, the hope of survival is very slim. But as a dog owner, would you choose to give up and watch your dog die?
Late-stage Symptoms of Canine Distemper
Throughout the course of distemper, the symptoms vary at different stages. In the early stage of distemper, the symptoms are not very severe, and timely treatment at this stage increases the chances of recovery significantly. However, once it enters the late stage and severe symptoms appear, the chances of recovery become very low, and most dogs are generally beyond help.
How can we determine if distemper has entered the late stage? It can be observed from the dog’s symptoms. Generally, when canine distemper enters the late stage, the dog may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Difficulty in walking, often lying still, showing a deep sense of depression, excessive sleepiness, and no longer responding to the owner.
- Deterioration of the condition, refusing to eat.
- Some dogs may experience neurological symptoms, such as occasional limb convulsions and foaming at the mouth.
- In some cases, if a dog develops pyoderma in the late stage, the lesions may become soft, thinning of the central area of the skin, and deep ulceration with pus and blood. In severe cases, extensive necrosis can occur.
If these symptoms occur, it is basically an indication that distemper has progressed to the late stage. If treatment begins at this stage, it is almost like announcing a death sentence. Very few dogs can survive. If auxiliary treatment is started earlier, there may still be a chance to pull through even in the late stage.
How to Treat Canine Distemper in the Late Stage?
In the late stage, many dog owners would not give up, considering it as a life. However, the difficulty of treatment at this stage is very high, and many people may consider trying medications such as Angong Niuhuang Pills or monoclonal antibodies to see if they can save their dog’s life. However, these are all just attempts, and the specific prognosis cannot be guaranteed. For more information, you can refer to the following articles:
- Can Monoclonal Antibodies Save a Dog’s Life in the Late Stage of Distemper, with symptoms such as seizures?
- Can Angong Niuhuang Pills Save a Dog’s Life after Seizures caused by Distemper?
Regarding the treatment of distemper, it is currently focused on symptomatic treatment, addressing specific symptoms. Because there is no specific treatment method available, it is recommended to treat symptoms individually. For different symptoms, the following treatment recommendations are suggested:
Antiviral: Stabilizing Kongda (suitable for puppies, significantly increases their survival rate), which can inhibit the self-replication of the canine distemper virus, alleviate and prevent the virus from damaging cells in the body. It contains abundant nutrients, fully regulates and stimulates the dog’s immune function, enhancing their resistance and immunity.
Symptomatic Treatment: Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs, such as Dexamethasone injection; Lung-clearing and detoxifying drugs, such as Chaihu oral solution; Antiemetic drugs, such as Gastrodine; Antipyretic drugs, such as Ibuprofen granules; Antidiarrheal drugs, such as Montmorillonite powder; Antitussive drugs, such as Chuanbei Loquat Syrup, or in severe cases, Azithromycin; Eye drops, such as Chloramphenicol eye drops; Anticonvulsant drugs, such as Dingkang Beef Tablets.
In summary, it is difficult to achieve a cure in the late stage of canine distemper, and the recovery rate is very low. Therefore, timely detection and treatment are essential. Of course, the best approach is to practice preventive measures and vaccinate in a timely manner. It is generally recommended to purchase dogs from reputable pet stores or breeders, and it is not advisable to buy from poor environments in dog markets, as the risk of distemper and parvovirus is high.
