Help ... New Dog Has Distemper - Any Cures?

[BIGUN]

Hakim

Sorry to hear of your friend's situation with his dog. This is my experience with that disease.

When I was a kid we lived in a suburb outside the city where it was very common for people to have dogs and no fences. The dogs would at times roam about the neighborhood and as long as they caused no problems it was acceptable. Our area was annexed into the city and we got dog-catcher service. They set traps and our dog was one that was caught. We bailed him out and brought him home, but it ended up being a death sentence as he caught distemper at the city pound. It is not a pleasant thing to watch your beloved dog suffer this disease and we finally had to have him put down. Other than rabies vaccine, my parents didn’t believe in spending money on preventative care for a dog and this was the result.

I know all this probably sounds like very irresponsible dog ownership and it was, but it was very common then and there. Now, I know it is very important to keep your dog in a safe environment and with regular visits to the vet for preventative care and vaccinations.

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Surprised that a dog from a pound wouldn't have its shots )</font>

A lot of pounds or shelters won't invest the shots for a dog with no past history until it becomes "wanted". They can't afford to vaccinate a dog that they will euthanize in two weeks (or whatever). By then it is often too late. Another thing... even if they vaccinate a dog when he comes in, by the time the immunities build up it is often too late if he is exposed to a nasty virus and hasn't had his vaccs in the past.

 

[Slamfire]

There are no cures for viral infections, but they aren't all fatal. The antibiotics are worthless and are given to cover secondary infections that may or may not occur. Bad practice as bacteria are getting tolerant to antibiotics.