Distemper in Dogs: Symptoms, Prevention and Vaccination (Sydney Vet Guide)

Most dog owners have never seen distemper. That is because vaccination works. But unvaccinated dogs are still very much at risk.

Distemper is a serious viral disease that attacks multiple systems in your dog's body at once. It is uncommon in Australia thanks to widespread vaccination, but it has not gone away. Here is what you need to know.

What is distemper?

Distemper is caused by a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system, gut, and nervous system. It can cause permanent neurological damage in dogs that survive, and in severe cases it is fatal.

It mostly affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs, but any dog without up to date protection is at risk.

How does it spread?

Distemper spreads mainly through the air when an infected dog coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.

What surprises many Sydney owners is that foxes can also carry and spread distemper. Foxes are common across suburban Sydney, which means even dogs that rarely mix with other dogs can potentially be exposed.

What are the symptoms?

Early signs:

• Fever
• Runny eyes and nose
• Coughing and sneezing
• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhoea

Advanced signs:

• Muscle twitching or tremors
• Seizures
• Loss of coordination
• Hardening and thickening of the nose and foot pads

By the time neurological signs appear, the disease is usually already well advanced. Some dogs that recover are left with lasting effects such as ongoing seizures or muscle tremors.

If your dog is unwell and showing any of these signs please contact us straight away.

Call us on 02 9631 9322

Can distemper be treated?

There is no medication that directly kills the distemper virus. Treatment focuses on supporting your dog while their immune system fights the infection, and may include fluids, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics for secondary infections, and seizure control if needed.

Treatment can be lengthy and is not always successful. Prevention through vaccination is always the better option.

How do you prevent it? Vaccination

Distemper is covered by the C7 vaccine, which is what we recommend for every dog at Great Western Animal Hospital. Given our location in Western Sydney, the C7 gives the most complete protection available. It covers:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Hepatitis
• Kennel Cough
• Leptospirosis

Puppy vaccination schedule:

• First vaccine: 6 to 8 weeks
• Second vaccine: 10 to 12 weeks
• Third vaccine: 16 weeks or older
• First booster: 12 months after the final puppy vaccine

Adult dogs need regular boosters to stay protected. If your dog's vaccinations have lapsed, it is never too late to get back on track.

How much does vaccination cost?

Give our team a call and we will walk you through what is involved.

Call us on 02 9631 9322

Book online here

Common questions

"Distemper seems rare. Does my dog really need this vaccine?"
It is rare precisely because so many dogs are vaccinated. If vaccination rates drop, the disease comes back. Keeping your dog up to date helps protect the wider dog community too.

"My dog stays in the backyard. Are they still at risk?"
Distemper can travel through the air and foxes can carry it into suburban gardens. A fully fenced yard does not guarantee protection from an airborne virus.

"My dog had distemper as a puppy and recovered. Are they immune?"
Possibly, but not reliably. Vaccination is still the safest way to ensure ongoing protection.

Book at Great Western Animal Hospital

Whether your dog needs their first puppy vaccines or an overdue adult booster, our team is here to help. We are open 7 days a week.

Call Us: 02 9631 9322

Book Online

Sources:
VIN VINcyclopedia of Diseases, Canine Distemper Virus Infection, revised January 2024