NO! Your dog can’t get feline distemper
, in spite of the similar name for the disorder. Your dog is at no risk of being exposed to a cat with feline distemper. Dogs can, however, get canine distemper from other dogs, which is a very serious condition in puppies.
Is distemper contagious to cats?
Also known as FPV and Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Distemper is
a highly contagious viral disease
that can be debilitating and even fatal.
Are canine and feline distemper the same?
Canine and feline distemper are
diseases affecting many wild and domestic carnivores
. Although both these diseases can cause acute illness and death, canine and feline distemper should not be confused, as they are caused by two distinctly different viral agents.
What animals can get canine distemper?
Distemper (aka canine distemper) is caused by a virus. It can infect
dogs, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and large cats such as lions and tigers
. The virus infects the lungs, airways, nose, and eyes. It can also infect the brain and suppress the immune system.
Can house cats get distemper?
While living an indoor lifestyle is certainly safer overall than living outdoors, and indoor living contributes to a longer life expectancy, important infectious diseases can find indoor cats. Feline rhinotracheitis virus, feline calici virus, and feline panleukopenia virus make up the feline distemper complex.
Should you put down a dog with distemper?
Most
veterinarians recommend euthanasia for dogs that develop the disease
. The symptoms most commonly associated with Distemper are red, runny eyes and a nasal discharge. Dogs seem to just have a cold at first but the disease worsens rapidly.
What is the survival rate for distemper?
The disease is often fatal with a
mortality rate of 50% in adult dogs and 80% in puppies
. Increased susceptibility to distemper in juveniles results in more wildlife cases in the spring and summer when babies are being born. However, there are cases year round. The mortality rate is close to 100% in mustelids.
Can a human get distemper?
Illnesses common among housepets — such as distemper, canine parvovirus, and heartworms —
can’t spread to humans
.
Can a dog fully recover from distemper?
It is entirely possible to recover from Canine Distemper Disease. Recovery is usually dependent upon the strength of the dog’s immune system and the strain of distemper they have contracted. It can
take up to 2 months to fully recover
.
Can a dog still get distemper if vaccinated?
Question: Can my dog contract distemper if he’s had a vaccine? Answer: Unfortunately, the short answer to this question is “
yes
”. Vaccines are unable to 100% completely protect against a disease, however providing your dog with the recommended vaccination protocol will greatly reduce his chances of becoming sick.
How long do cats live with distemper?
Mortality of the sick is typically considered 90%, though it has been said that a kitten that survives
the first 5 days
is likely to survive the infection. Recovered kittens are considered contagious for six weeks following recovery.
Can a cat recover from distemper?
With aggressive therapy,
many cats can make a full recovery
, although the prognosis is guarded. Your veterinarian will recommend supportive therapy tailored to your cat’s needs and may include hospitalization, fluid therapy, antibiotics, medication for vomiting and diarrhea, and nutritional support.
How can you tell if a cat has distemper?
Early symptoms of feline distemper infection are
lethargy and loss of appetite then rapid progression to severe, sometimes bloody diarrhea and vomiting
. These signs are very similar to other diseases, some serious, some not so serious.
How long does distemper stay in your yard?
Distemper does not survive long in the outside environment. It will survive only a few hours at room temperature and a few weeks in cooler shady places. From time of infection to first clinical signs is
3-7 days
.
What happens if a dog survived distemper?
It is absolutely possible for dogs who survived distemper to lead a long, happy, comfortable life.
Some dogs fully recover from the virus
with few to no long-term effects or signs, while others display certain characteristics that will last throughout the rest of their lives.
How Long Can dogs live with distemper?
Distemper is fatal in 50% of cases. A recovered dog may still spread the virus for
2 to 3 months
. It is important to keep this in mind when taking a recovered pet where other dogs are present.
