Can Vaccinated Dogs Get Canine Distemper? Here Are 5 Symptoms Of This Fatal Disease

Canine distemper might sound like a relic of the past, but don’t be fooled — it’s still pretty common, especially among unvaccinated dogs. This highly contagious virus can wreak havoc on a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, and it spreads easily through virus particles in a dog’s urine, saliva, and respiratory secretions. Knowing the signs can be a lifesaver.

Here are five telltale signs that your dog might be battling canine distemper.

1. Respiratory and Eye Symptoms

One of the first things you might notice if your dog contracts distemper is a runny nose and weepy eyes, accompanied by coughing and trouble breathing. Dogs often run a fever, lose their energy, and lose their appetite too. It's the kind of day where your furry friend just isn't themselves.

2. Vomiting and Diarrhea

As the virus digs deeper, it starts to damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This means your pup might start vomiting, experience diarrhea (sometimes with blood), and get severely dehydrated. It becomes a race between the virus doing damage and the immune system fighting back.

3. Skin Changes

At about the same time as the tummy troubles kick in, you might notice some changes to your dog's skin. The skin on their nose and footpads may thicken, harden, and even crack. Puppies may show signs of skin inflammation and develop pustules. Timely veterinary care can still swing things back towards recovery at this stage.

4. Neurologic Symptoms

In some cases, the distemper virus makes its way to the central nervous system. This can lead to twitching, balance issues, stiffness, severe weakness, jaw snapping, and even seizures. These symptoms can show up alongside other signs of distemper or appear weeks later, just when it seems like your dog is getting better. Unfortunately, once neurological signs set in, survival rates plummet.

5. Old Dog Distemper

Sometimes, even fully vaccinated senior dogs can show signs of what’s known as “old dog distemper,” which includes symptoms like difficulty walking, head pressing, and pacing. This condition might link back to a distemper infection they fought off when they were younger or it might appear seemingly out of nowhere.