Dog plague

In the world, perhaps, a dog lover who has never I wouldn’t hear about the plague of carnivores – a disease that common people are called plague. This infectious disease is viral nature annually takes the lives of young and weakened animals, although at risk are quite healthy dogs in their prime forces. In this article we will understand how a pet can catch the virus, what are the symptoms of the plague and is it transmitted to humans this dangerous infection.

Reasons why dogs get plague

Paramyxovirus is considered the “culprit” of the disease. the nervous system and brain of the animal, lungs, digestive system, skin integument. Variants of infection with the virus abound:

  • When a healthy dog comes in contact with saliva, feces or urine a sick individual;
  • An infectious agent can enter the house where the dog lives, on the soles of street shoes owners;
  • Through care items (combs, scissors), a bowl of infected dogs, bedding;
  • If the dog interacts with foxes, wolves, hyenas (or etc. wildlife animals).

Plague in dogs can occur in the following forms:

  • Lightning fast – the body is already affected after a few hours after the penetration of the virus. The animal has no chance of rescue, just a few hours after infection dies regardless of whether treatment has been provided at home conditions or in a hospital;
  • Acute – the first signs of a plague appear after 5-7 days after infection, in adult dogs with timely treatment there is a chance of healing (the probability of a favorable outcome is 50 %);
  • Chronic – most often develops in older dogs. Manifested in the form of lethargy, poor appetite, unhealthy external species (dull hair, problem skin, “current” nose and eyes, and etc.), upset stool;
  • Typical – symptoms of distemper in dogs with this form occur 1-3 weeks after infection. In animals, soon turning to the clinic has a high chance of recovery;
  • Atypical – this is the most insidious form, since no the symptoms of the plague are not noticeable for a long time, although the animal is infected and painful. However, as soon as the virus infects the dog’s nervous system, soon time will come death.

What you need to know about the carnivore plague

  1. The highest percentage of sick dogs occur in the spring and autumn. Animals can also become infected with the virus in winter (the virus is excellent Feels at minus 25). Pets least likely to get sick in summer (the virus is “afraid” of temperatures above 38 degrees);
  2. Plague virus dies in half an hour when heated over plus 60 degrees;
  3. At a high risk for puppies from 3 months. Puppies younger than this age protected by mother’s milk;
  4. Animals up to a year are also susceptible to infection. Them immunity is not strong enough due to active growth, change teeth, puberty;
  5. Once a sick but cured dog has never he will get the plague again;
  6. A plague-infected pet remains “dangerous” for at least 2 months, because healthy people can get infected from it animals.

How to recognize a plague in a pet

In the early hours and even days it is impossible to guess what the dog picked up plague (exception – fulminant course of the disease). However approximately after a week or two, signs of plague manifest themselves. Moreover, a large what organs and systems affected the virus in первую очередь:Vet and dog

  • При поражении пищеварительных органов собака не ест, у нееdiarrhea (often with blood), bad breath, thirst, sharp weight loss;
  • If the lungs are affected, the animal breathes heavily and coughs, pus is released from the eyes and nose, the temperature jumps;
  • When the virus has affected the nervous system and brain, cramps, unusual behavior (apathy or excessive aggression), photophobia, fever, disorders coordination;
  • If the dog’s skin is affected, the symptoms will be: on the face and multiple ulcers, crusts, rashes form in the groin. Leather on affected areas becomes rough, rough, pet refuses food, becomes weak.
  • It should be noted that the plague in dogs sometimes manifests itself only any one symptom (for example, the dog may have diarrhea), and sometimes the animal is immediately covered with all the “misfortunes” (diarrhea, temperature, cramps, outflows from the nose and eyes, etc.).

Can a sick dog infect humans and animals

As we found out earlier, paramyxovirus is dangerous not only for dogs, but also for wild carnivores. However, this ailment is absolutely not contagious. for people, so the owners of an infected doggie can not fear that they themselves or their children may suffer. But can a cat get infected from the dog with the distemper virus, because the home “sailor’s” does such a disease also seem to exist? But there is nothing to fear since in cats, a plague (it is also called panleukopenia) develops as a result of the introduction of a completely different virus into the body (parvovirus). And the symptoms of dog and cat distemper vary.

Plague treatment at home and in the hospital

Very often, when a vigilant owner suddenly notices a dog possible signs of plague (for example, an upset bowel) then in the course is treatment with folk remedies:

  • Vodka or various “mixes” with this drink (vodka and vegetable oil; vodka and raw egg; vodka, egg and honey);
  • Honey-egg mixture;
  • Alcohol (it is diluted with water and used instead of vodka);
  • Chamomile, St. John’s wort, motherwort decoctions.

But it should be noted that all of the listed decoctions and combinations food and drink can not only not improve animal, and even exacerbate the situation. Plague treatment is especially dangerous dogs with vodka: any alcohol negatively affects the liver animal. In addition, it is not known how the pet will behave after such a “treatment”. Medicinal herbs, though not bring much harm, but also unlikely to be able to overcome the virus without antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial agents, hyperimmune serums, vitamins, painkillers and antipyretics.

Plague prevention

Dog plague treatment does not always give good results, especially if the disease has affected the nervous system. It’s also extremely difficult defeat the virus in very young puppies. Is it possible to undertake such measures so that the pet does not get sick at all? For this you need to do everything possible so that the insidious virus does not creep up to animal:

  1. The surest way to save a pet is vaccination. First vaccine against plague in dogs is at the age of 2-3 months, after 3-4 weeks revaccination. In future adult dog vaccinated injected once a year. Approximately 2 weeks before vaccination should take measures to destroy fleas and worms. And before visiting vaccine veterinarians should make sure that the dog is healthy (observe the appetite and stool, measure the temperature and etc.);
  2. The stronger the dog’s immunity, the higher the chance that the virus will defeated. Good nutrition and fortification, an active lifestyle, timely visit to the doctor if the dog is sick – and the plague is not “attached” to the pet or will leak in a mild form;
  3. The house where the dog lives should be clean. Owner is worth often wet with disinfectant solutions. Even as an exception, you do not need to walk around the apartment in the street shoes;
  4. Pet contact with unfamiliar dogs is worth it minimize. Outwardly an extraneous animal can be completely healthy, but no one can guarantee that in his body the virus lurked. Puppies who have not yet been vaccinated it is not necessary to take out for walks or, in extreme cases, you can take out holding them in the air.

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