"My dog had distemper, what now? Can he get the disease again?" If you have ever been through such a situation, know that this is one of the most common questions among guardians. As everyone knows, canine distemper is a dangerous disease that can greatly debilitate the health of dogs. It is caused by a virus of the Paramyxovirus family and, if not treated in time, can kill(especially in unvaccinated animals).

Therefore, in addition to knowing what distemper is, it is essential to understand everything about this dog disease. Below, we answer some of the main questions about distemper: how long it lasts, chances of recurrence and if there is a possibility of contagion in already vaccinated animals.

Can a dog that has had distemper get it again?

The chances of a dog that has already had distemper contracting the disease again are low. The estimate is that this happens in only 2% of cases. The animal ends up acquiring immunity after being exposed to the virus, so it is more protected. However, this does not mean that the care of your aumigo should be left aside.

Even though dogs that have already had distemper cannot have it again, it is common for the sequelae of distemper to last for the rest of their lives. Animals can suffer from myoclonus - characterized by involuntary spasms and tremors - paralysis of the limbs, motor difficulty, altered balance, nervous tics and even episodes of seizures in dogs, which can be occasional or even severe.continuous.

Canine distemper: how long does it last?

Healthy dogs with good immunity can eliminate the virus completely about 14 days after contamination. In these cases, the symptoms disappear and the animal can recover well. In dogs that have weaker health, the virus can persist for a period of 2 to 3 months.

It is important to stress that when a dog is suspected of having canine distemper, it should be evaluated immediately by a trusted veterinarian so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. The duration of distemper in a dog is directly linked to the care the animal receives to increase immunity and eliminate the virus.

In some cases - especially in unvaccinated puppies - distemper poses a serious danger and is unlikely to be cured, potentially causing a series of sequelae or even death.

Can I get distemper from a vaccinated dog?

Yes, there is a chance that a vaccinated dog will contract the disease. Vaccines make the animal more protected and the symptoms are mild, but there is a risk of an infection arising because the formation of antibodies is not always sufficient to prevent the vaccinated dog from catching distemper a second time. The dog vaccines that protect against canine distemper are V6, V8 and V10. They should be applied atfrom 45 days of the animal's life in three doses, with an interval of 21 to 30 days between each dose. If there is any delay, the vaccination cycle must start from scratch.