| Treatment: Treatments are directed at | | | | interference by maternal antibody. To |
| limiting secondary bacterial invasion, | | | | overcome this barrier, pups are vaccinated |
| supporting the fluid balance and overall | | | | with MLV vaccine when 6 wk old and at 2-to |
| well-being of the dog, and controlling | | | | 4-wk intervals until 16 wk old. Measles virus |
| nervous manifestations. Antibiotics, | | | | induces immunity to canine distemper virus in |
| electrolyte solutions, protein hydrolysates, | | | | the presence of relatively greater levels of |
| dietary supplements, antipyretics, nasal | | | | maternal distemper antibody. An MLV measles |
| preparations, analgesics, and anticonvulsants | | | | vaccine and a combination of MLV measles and |
| are used. No one treatment is specific or | | | | MLV canine distemper vaccine are available. |
| uniformly successful. Dogs may recover | | | | These vaccines must be administered IM. Pups |
| completely from systemic manifestations, but | | | | 6-7 wk old should receive the measles or |
| good nursing care is essential. Despite | | | | combination vaccine and at least two more |
| intensive care, some dogs do not make a | | | | doses of MLV distemper vaccine when 12-16 wk |
| satisfactory recovery. Unfortunately, | | | | old. Many varieties of attenuated distemper |
| treatment for neurologic manifestations of | | | | vaccine are available and should be used |
| distemper are unsuccessful. If the neurologic | | | | according to manufacturers' directions. |
| signs are progressive or severe, the owner | | | | Annual revaccination is suggested because of |
| should be appropriately advised. | | | | the breaks in neurologic distemper that can |
| | | | occur in stressed, diseased, or |
| Prevention: Successful immunization of pups | | | | immunosuppressed dogsaaheroe is a webmaster |
| with canine distemper modified live virus | | | | and cat and dog lover. |
| (MLV) vaccines depends on the lack of | | | | |