My Dog has Distemper
By chiwasaki
@chiwasaki (4694)
Philippines
June 11, 2011 11:50pm CST
My dog is very sick a month ago, the vet says it is actually canine distemper, the nervous type. He is actually on the worst stage of distemper where the vet already offered us euthanasia. My dog usually has involuntary twitching, paddling and seizures. It is really painful to see my dog like this, he's only 7 months.
After all of the antibiotics, pain reliever and food supplement, my dog is getting better. No more seizures and paddling. He still have hard foot pads though. But he don't want to eat any foods, just prefer drinking dextrose. He's lying on his bed for almost a month now. I hope he can still walk because he's a very active dog.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
12 Jun 11
Hello Chiwasaki,
I'm sorry to hear that your dog has distemper. The nervous type is the worse, and usually the final stage of distemper.
I think you should consider accepting your vet's proposal. There is no use to let him suffer. I haven't heard about any dog completely recovered from the nervous phase of distemper.
If you ever decide to bring another dog home, make sure he has all the immunizations up to date when he comes into your house, because distemper viruses can live in the surroundings for months and your new dog can get distemper, too.
1 person likes this
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
The virus can shed even up to months. There are dogs who actually recover from nervous type of distemper but it is a very rare case. As of this moment, the dog is no longer in pain unlike before. We are given vitamins and supplements by the vet. We believe the dog is getting better, way lot better than before. If seizures will return again, we will probably decide to have the dog euthanized already.
1 person likes this
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
12 Jun 11
I wish I was wrong but, as I said I haven't heard about a complete recovery from the nervous phase of distemper.
After a period of calm when the dog seems to be OK, the seizures return.
I hope your dog's case will be different and he will be OK. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you two.
After a period of calm when the dog seems to be OK, the seizures return.
I hope your dog's case will be different and he will be OK. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you two.1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
12 Jun 11
Your dog is in misery all of the time. I can't see how he is having any type of quality life. I would take the vet's advice on the euthanasia as soon as possible. I couldn't see making him suffer any longer. A month is too long to make a fur friend suffer like this.
1 person likes this
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
That is actually our initial plan, we don't want to prolong the suffering of the dog. But this week, the dog seems getting better. The dog is very eager to take the supplements and drinks. No more seizure attacks or twitching. We are just praying for more improvements in the future.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Jun 11
hi chiwasaki I am so sorry as I understand dog distemper is a very
serious disease and can kill a dog. I hope your dog gets well
soon as its hard to sit by and not be able to help him I know.
I also am a dog lover but am not sure if your dog will make it
or not. I hope your vet has given you some hope about your dog's
chances.Not eating sure is a scary proposition poor fellow and
he is still a young dog.I will send a few prayers your way that your precious puppy gets well soon hugs from hatley.
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
13 Jun 11
Thank you so much Hatley. Initially the dog is not eating but now he is willing to take water and eager to take supplements. I'm still praying for him to get well. We think that he already passed the critical stage. We are hoping the dog will get better soon.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
14 Jun 11
Distemper is a disease where prevention is much better than cure, that is giving him shots before he or she contacts the disease. Cure is mostly supportive like dextrose and vitamins and having him confined for a prolonged period of time could be quite expensive, it's up to you if you want to heed your vet's advice but I have a dog who is a survivor, only thing he has a front leg that keeps on shaking when she is sleeping. Be careful also in keeping the pet quarantined from your other pet dogs.
@cgirl123 (264)
• Indonesia
13 Jun 11
Hi chiwasaki! :)
That is a good news your dog is getting better! I have a friend also which his dog suffering distemper and the doctor said the dog can not sustain, soon it will die. But friend- because he loves his dog so much- did not stop trying. he take a really good care of his lovely dog, give the medicine needed, cleaned the blood and the dog's body, all the things he could do to make the dog getting better.
And, the dog is really getting better! The dog conquered the disease!
So, dont stop believing, honey. If it will alive, then it will alive. Just do what you think is right, give what the dog needs to survive, and pray.
Hope the best will come.
Have a bless day! :)
@chiwasaki (4694)
• Philippines
13 Jun 11
Thank you so much. I'm really doing my best for my dog to get better. We are all thankful that there's no more seizure attacks. It is really painful to see the dog like that. We will do our best and God will do the rest.
@Rand_Light (43)
• United States
8 Oct 11
That is a sad news. I don't want my dog to be sick. Somehow I feel so sad and down every time my dogs became sick.
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
13 Jun 11
I think if there is hope, you should wait it out a little longer, because you and the dog have nothing to lose. You'll know when it's time to say goodbye. He's so young, and he was probably healthy before, and strong. There is a chance!
