[PuppyRolo]

Our puppy Rolo, had to be put down today. Thanks to Daveyo for, obviously, heart felt advice. And all the other messages of support. Her antibody test came back showing a high level of infection and our vet having weighed up the options suggested we put her down. We are very sad (amazing how you bond with a dog within just 5 days).

A word to the wise! Never adopt a dog that is obviously sick; it can only lead to heartbreak. The puppy shelter should have advised us that they would keep the dog for a few more days to monitor her symptoms and should never have ruled out distemper without the antibody test being done.

Daveyo, this might sound insensitive but how long must we wait before we get another puppy? Will it make a difference if we get a 6 month old dog with vaccination history?
Also what are the first symptoms? My fully vaccinated 4 yr old dog has a dry cough when he exercises.
Thanks

[Daveyo]

Sorry to hear you lost your dog. All Distemper infected dogs will show high levels. Did your dog reach the neurological stage? IF so then yes you had to put it to sleep. If not, you could have saved your dog using the NDV as long as it never got to the neurological stage. Because the cure is 12-48 hours. It is very rapid and stops the mess quickly.

As to your question you must wait minimum of 2 months before bringing in another dog. The distemper virus is extremely dangerous and very virulent and it is an airborne disease. You must clean all the floors with bleach, clean out your clothes and even the furniture or toys that your former dog had. Sorry to tell you all this but this is the fact. Also even if you believe you got a dog with all the vaccinations done check it with your vet doing the titer test for 3 specifics - distemper, parvo and rabies. If all come back positive and levels are around 1/40 or better, your dog is in good hands and healthy. Make sure the worming is done too.

First symptoms of which????? Distemper will cause the dog to have high fever between 102 to 106 lasting for about 2-3 days off and on, the dog will not eat, and will regress into hiding. After this point the virus begins to do its dirty work. Parvo is quite obvious, bloody stools and no fever and the dog can die in 48 hours if not treated immediately with IV and Tamiflu. Symptoms of which again I ask?????

Dry cough???? Hmmmm, take to vet have the lungs checked out for pneumonia. If that is ruled out do a blood test and urine test for infections. Easy way to tell for pneumonia is have the dog stand up and tap a bit hard on the chest area rapidly a couple of times. If the dog coughs after you do it, then it confirms pneumonia. If so, you need vet to give the dog Baytril and Penicillin G preferred 0.5 cc and 1.0 cc for 7 days twice a day. Do not get that dog wet if it has pneumonia. If you do, you exaperate its condition making it worse.

Good luck