Canine Distemper

[bonnieincabo]

Here in Mexico the majority of puppies do not get shots and so in the neighborhoods many of the dogs have distemper Then they end up in our shelter and spread it around. What is the best way to manage these strays and keep the others dogs from getting this disease? Also, if it is incurable, how is recovery possible? Are we spinning our wheels here with all of the dogs that test positive? Some later test negative. Are we getting false results? Does anyone recommend putting down the positives as soon as we know they are positive?

[Daveyo]

Hi I am Daveyo

I understand you have a kennel setting and your having a very hard time with the Disease being Canine
Distemper. Yes I can be of assistance to help you get this under control. It will take some effort on your part to do the same so follow my instructions.

First I do not know how many dogs you have but you need to separate all these dogs into specific groups.

Keep in mind Distemper is airborne disease as well as contact type disease, so really this itself is not good. However this can be minimized by removing the contact part and the rest good ventilation and open air is the other.

Once these dogs are separated, all those suspected of having this disease should be put into one group. Those that have the obvious signs of this disease in the other group.

Those who are obvious have to get either that serum X or get the NDV shots to the body pronto. Each has to be weighed down and given the proper dose via the blood vein according to the weight.

Those that are suspect do the distemper test (the bladder smear test) which takes only 30 minutes for the answer. If it is negative, put that dog into another group all by itself away from the obvious dogs having it.

In the cases of dogs suspected of distemper but short of showing the obvious signs, the decision is up to you.. If I was you, I would give the NDV because you just might catch some of them in the early stages within the 6 day window and you can avoid the neuro problems especially if any one them do show the signs like high temp readings which if more than 103 degrees do the NDV body shot pronto and remove this dog into another safe area and it will be cured in 24 hours. This particular dog has the disease but it is in the early stages. But on the other hand, those that do not have the high temp reading and still not show the obvious signs, but the smear test is positive, then she can do the NDV SHOT to the body and put aside to another category. These dogs are somewhere between the 6 day window and the 12th day just prior before the signs show up and you have to mark these dogs because they will need the CSF tap to be done to be absolutely sure if they got infected or not in the CNS.

If you do it early and no high temp reading and the test is negative, you still do not know if the suspected dogs got the disease either in the body or in the CNS albeit of the high fever> these are the ones that has to be closely watched for the next 30 days. This one is a tough call on the suspected ones not showing the obvious signs minus the high fever, and minus the smear test. If the smear test is negative the odds are in favor of the dog not having the disease so these dogs should be kept well away from the entire pack to protect them from this disease minimum for 30 days.

The dogs showing the obvious signs, a definite NDV body injection is needed and the CSF tap has to be done to save them from any further neuro damage ASAP.

Then you have to get Clorox bleach and do the floors. First clean out with HOT WATER. Then use the bleach and soak that floor good with it. Then wet mop it off and let it fully dry. Include the cages as well. This takes the virus out of the floor and the cage and any bedding material which can spread to other dogs if they make contact to it. Remove all toys and items from all these dogs. Saliva carries this disease as well.

You are going to have to do this for minimum of one month to get all the suspected dogs under control and to stop the spread of the virus. Containment is the key and the answer and solution to the spread of this disease.

Do not bring any other new dogs to the compound and disease area or the quarantine area. Any dogs that are born during this time period, or mothers pregnant, remove them away from the entire pack and quarantine them all by itself. After the pups are born this is iffy because of the mothers milk, due to the mother being exposed to Distemper with the other dogs. They will need to be carefully watched.

The rest is up to you and you will have to do your job as I have put down here.

Nothing short of containment and separation and quarantine procedures will slow down and stop the spread. This is the only way as I have suggested here.

For me> to be absolutely sure on each dog without guessing etc, I would do the smear test on all the dogs. Those negative, keep away from those positive.

After that then do the steps of containment and control as I said above.

Now you need to get to my site at [moderator note: website address has been removed] and register yourself and go to the Distemper category. Here you will find all the information you truly need to get this disease under control and also cure all these dogs of the disease. You need to follow all the instructions carefully and not to deviate from it to ensure your success.

If you continue to have a problem, please do write either here or at my site and another person named Pip will give you assistance from the USA side as she is my other protege!!!

Dr. Sears is available only if in a dire situation and he can then lend his assistance to you and give you the advisories as it is dictated.



Daveyo

[Giftbearer]

Hi Bonnie,

No, you don't need to put these dogs down. They may still have a chance but the sooner you treat them the better chance they'll have. My dog was very sick with Distemper and she did excellently with this treatment. It killed the virus completely and she will now live a full lifespan without having to worry about any further damage from the disease. She's robust and strong now and went from weighing 14 Lbs. to 42!

You can take a look at pictures I took of Carmella before and after; some of them showing her paw pads beginning to heal within 2 days of treatment, then healing more after 1 week, then completely healed in 2 weeks.
http://www.indiepublic.com/photo/albums/946391:Album:541951

You can also contact me, Daveyo, Ed Bond, and other dog owners with personal experience with this process on the list below if you'd like to talk further about your situation, and we can help you through this. Be sure to print out all the information promptly so you can refer back to it.

Here are some links below that should lead you directly to the information you need concerning Distemper and what to do for your dog who has (or may have) it.

This is a real cure, not palliative or supportive care, and not an herbal remedy. It uses Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine off-label to enable your dog's immune system to kill the Distemper virus.

If your dog has been symptomatic longer than 6 days then it is to be a two-part process; he/she will first need this injected by IV for symptoms of the body, and then (within 12-72 hours later if possible), injected into the spinal canal at the base of the skull where spinal tap would be drawn. (Spinal fluid should be drawn too via the same needle while the vet is preparing to do the procedure), then sent to be analyzed to confirm infection in the CNS.

Dr. Sears (the originator of the treatment) has recently started his own website and has updated the process slightly from previous versions. You can print out the instructions (found under the section "For Vets") and bring or fax them to your vet. This site is currently under construction so you may want to use his e-mail if you need help urgently;

http://www.treatment4distemper.com/

Dr. Sears' e-mail: [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]

Daveyo's site (another activist) is at:
http://www.caninedistemperproboards60.com/index.cgi

And here's another site on Facebook; Saving Dogs from Canine Distemper started by Ed Bond to organize people with Distemper dogs. Join here:
[moderator note: website address has been removed]

Pippit Carlington has a blog documenting her dog, Carmella's struggle with Distemper and success with NDV:
[moderator note: website address has been removed]

Time is of the essence in order to stop any further damage resulting from the disease. Please print out the material contained in these links and fax/give it to your vet. If your vet is absolutely unwilling to consider this option or does not have experience enough to safely complete the neuro part of the procedure provide this information to other vets listed in your area until you're able to locate one who can and will treat your dog.

Hang in there and don't give up. There are an increasing number of dogs who otherwise might have been put to death now living productive and happy lives because of this treatment.

[Daveyo]

Hi Bonnie

What is the latest status of your situation now???

Daveyo

[bonnieincabo]

Thank you for your information. We are currently keeping all of the dogs in individual runs and using bleach to disinfect. Of course the problem keeps coming to the front door. This being a third world situation, things are difficult no matter what we do. We just had to put down 3 puppies that came in looking healthy and within a week began to vomit blood and become lethargic. Parvo is suspected. There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the distemper virus. We have bleach pans to step into to help prevent the spread of the disease. But, if it is air-borne how can we deal with it? It is in the neighborhood animals and they get brought to the Shelter and there you go... Also, this is a very dusty area without paved streets. Testing and vaccinating are both expensive, but so is maintaining an animal only to find that it is sick. They test and re-test and the results go from negative to positive and back. How can that be?? Can adult dogs that have been vaccinated ever get distemper? I worry about my own dogs, should I?

[Daveyo]

Hi Bonnie

You have a crisis in your hands dealing with possible Parvo and Distemper at the same time. Please go to my site at [moderator note: website address has been removed] and look up the parvo section and the distemper section on medical protocols. Compy and print it down and have it for your VET there.

As of vaccine I have connections for you to get the VACCINE and also for you to get that NDV. So write to me at my site and I can provide you these connections direct or to PIP.

Yes you do need to be careful of your dogs as well, since you are exposed to possible Parvo especially.

Do not bring hom your clothes or SHOES especially. Keep all your work clothes at that place and clean it there OK

Before you go home do change your clothes and wear the clean shoes back, and then to be safe leave those shoes away from your own dogs, keeping them in a safe place. Parvo will attach itself to the shoes.

Make this mandatory to all workers there at that place.

Now the Parvo is treatable and I have the medical protocol on my site as well. Parvo can be cured within 3 days or less

There are pictures of Parvo and what it looks like. Compare the Distemper and Parvo Pics to your situation there which should halp you identify what is happening to each animal.

Secondly, refuse any more dogs coming in for now. Tell them the entire place is under quarantine because you need to get that place back under control.

Elisa test kits are available to check for Parvo and Sitemper and its available at a reasonable cost. Since you have a large setting you can make contact and work out a lower price to obtain thse kits. The people in Israel are the ones who designed this and now it is available commercially around the world.

Now you need to get the medical supplies and drugs to give to these dogs. So look at both the Distemper and the Parvo and go to the nearest source at your location to get these drugs. Make sure you get the genuine ones because many are fakes in Mexico. OK

In case you miss everything to my site here is the medical protocol for Parvo as well.

Parvo. It is easily treated. Secret is fluids. Lots of fluids. Must be given through an IV.

First-> 100 cc per lb per 24 hrs and then some.(up to 200 cc/lb if necessary)

Watch the Wt. of the dog to know if more fluids are necessary)

Any diarrhea or vomiting the VET has to estimate the amount of fluid and add to the above.

Second-> Need 3 antibiotics. We use Penicillin G and Baytril injectable along with Pectolyn with Tylan(Tylocin injectable) antibiotic orally. (10 cc injectable Tylan in 8 oz of Pectolyn and use this as about 5 cc twice daily to dogs in the 20 lb size) Works well.

Third -> Nupogen if the WBC falls to less than 6000. It absolutely bounces the WBC upwards of 12 thousand within 24 - 48 hrs. In parvo this is very important. Use in 0.1cc increments and then only once daily for 2 - 3 days.


Fourth _> Tamiflu---very important. We use a 75 mg capsule Dissolve this in saline or water and use 1 mg/lb twice daily for about 3 days. Seems to turn the virus off.

As to the Fluids. LRS or MRS combination complete fluids best. But saline is ok as long as you replace K+. This is lost in the diarrhea.

Antibiotics. Depends on the size of the dog Penicillin 300 mg/cc we use 1 - 1 1/2 cc per 10 lbs twice daily. Baytril is l00mg/cc we use 1/2 cc per 10 lbs twice daily.
Nupogen. Very potent medication. Use carefully. Use in 0.1 cc increments and then only once daily for 2 - 3 days.


In Parvo the total WBC is very important as you are dealing with secondary BACTERIAL infection from the inflamed intestine. Here the WBC is critical. Both Neutrophils and Lymphocytes.

Epogen for RBC's, Neupogen for WBC's

When both parvo and distemper are caught simultaneously the death rate is 100%. Sorry.

NO, NDV or the serum work in PARVO CASES. Has absolutely no effect.

Doc

The key to this treatment is TAMIFLU. Yep this is the kicker and inducer that cures Parvo very quickly. You need to make contact to available sources in Mexico especially human hospitals, or the Disease Control Center to obtain this. It is very hard to find. I kid you not.

If you find Tamiflu please do let me know, and if not I will hopefully try to find some for you in Mexico. Once found do stock a lot of this for your place as it is very difficult to obtain.

Do write back quickly if you can or at my site if possible. We need to work together to get you under control and back on your two feet safe and sound.

Daveyo

[Daveyo]

Hi bonnie

What is the latest status at your Kennel???

Need a report from you.

Thanks

Daveyo

[bonnieincabo]

I will give this information to the local vet and hope that they can get the right meds. I was unable to go to your web site as the moderator removed the address.

thanks for you help in this matter.

Bonnie

[Daveyo]

Hi Bonnie

My site is still here on this forum, so again it is [moderator note: website address has been removed]

Do get to my site ASAP as you need to get the situation under control.

We know you have the problem, and we have not forgotten you at all.

Daveyo