A highly contagious systemic viral disease. Symptoms are high

temperature, nasal discharge, severe diarrhoea and vomiting,

paralysis and convulsions. Isolate the animal and sanitise the

surroundings. An anti-emetic (Perinorm) can be orally give to

check  vomiting. Feed with curd mixed with Isabgol, diluted

milk and vegetarian soup. Supplement with electral and glucose

in milk/water to check dehydration. Consult a vet for proper

treatment. Distemper is in various forms:

(i)   Digestive.

(ii)  Respiratory.

(iii) Nervous and

(iv) Cutaneous (skin form)

Symptoms:

(i)  Digestive form of distemper: Loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting.

(ii) Respiratory form of distemper: A strangled cough, where the dog

attempts to bring up phlegm. If  the dog has intermittent temperature along

with this and diarrhoea, you can suspect distemper.

(iii) Nervous form of distemper: Epileptic fits, twitching of the muscles,

paralysis.

(iv) Skin form of distemper: Pustules on the inner side of the thighs and

pelvic region.

Treatment: Anti-pyretics as well as analgesics (PCM) are given in case

of fever.

A broad spectrum antibiotics (Ampicillin) is given to check secondary

bacterial infections.

Becasule Syrup (vitamin B complex and vitamin C) and neurotonics

(one Neurobion tablet 3 times a day or if it is a syrup, then one

teaspoon 3 times a day).

To check respiratory distress, fever and nasal discharge:

Deriphyllin injections, antihistaminics (Avil) or in case of pups

(Cinaryl, Vikoryl) one teaspoon 3 times a day.

To check dehydration, glucose or electral should be given.

A diet rich in proteins like khichdi, mixed vegetable soup should

be given to build up body resistance.

While distemper cases are very rarely cured by allopathy, it can

be successfully treated by homeopathy. Consult a homeopath.

Distemper can be stopped in the earlier stages, it cannot be cured

after the animal has developed fits or involuntary tics. In that case,

the best thing is to euthanise it.

A highly contagious systemic viral disease. Symptoms are high

temperature, nasal discharge, severe diarrhoea and vomiting,

paralysis and convulsions. Isolate the animal and sanitise the

surroundings. An anti-emetic (Perinorm) can be orally give to

check  vomiting. Feed with curd mixed with Isabgol, diluted

milk and vegetarian soup. Supplement with electral and glucose

in milk/water to check dehydration. Consult a vet for proper

treatment. Distemper is in various forms:

(i)   Digestive.

(ii)  Respiratory.

(iii) Nervous and

(iv) Cutaneous (skin form)

Symptoms:

(i)  Digestive form of distemper: Loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting.

(ii) Respiratory form of distemper: A strangled cough, where the dog

attempts to bring up phlegm. If  the dog has intermittent temperature along

with this and diarrhoea, you can suspect distemper.

(iii) Nervous form of distemper: Epileptic fits, twitching of the muscles,

paralysis.

(iv) Skin form of distemper: Pustules on the inner side of the thighs and

pelvic region.

Treatment: Anti-pyretics as well as analgesics (PCM) are given in case

of fever.

A broad spectrum antibiotics (Ampicillin) is given to check secondary

bacterial infections.

Becasule Syrup (vitamin B complex and vitamin C) and neurotonics

(one Neurobion tablet 3 times a day or if it is a syrup, then one

teaspoon 3 times a day).

To check respiratory distress, fever and nasal discharge:

Deriphyllin injections, antihistaminics (Avil) or in case of pups

(Cinaryl, Vikoryl) one teaspoon 3 times a day.

To check dehydration, glucose or electral should be given.

A diet rich in proteins like khichdi, mixed vegetable soup should

be given to build up body resistance.

While distemper cases are very rarely cured by allopathy, it can

be successfully treated by homeopathy. Consult a homeopath.

Distemper can be stopped in the earlier stages, it cannot be cured

after the animal has developed fits or involuntary tics. In that case,

the best thing is to euthanise it.

All warm-blooded animals can be affected with rabies, and though

it is widely believed to be a canine illness, wild animals are actually

the largest reservoir of this disease.

Rabies can only be transferred through the bite of a rabid animal,

since the virus, which is present in saliva, cannot penetrate intact

skin(however, a lick from a rabid animal on a cut could be infective).

The virus multiplies in the muscle at the site of the wound and then

spreads, not in the blood, but along the nerve fibres into the spinal

cord and brain. Growth in the brain and cord cause severe nervous

disease and death. The incubation period varies from 10 days to

6 months. Rabies cannot be detected by blood test since it invades

the neural system. The only detection at this time is by examining

the brain after death for signs of the infection.

Symptoms: The first sign of rabies is usually a change in behaviour-

friendly dogs who become shy and nervous, while the reserved

animals become affectionate. The next stage is usually 'furious rabies',

in which the dog is hyperirritable and aggressive and wanders aimlessly,

attacking anything, real or imagined, in its path. It may eat unusual

objects or show bizarre sexual behaviour. The lower jaw often hangs

partly open and drips saliva.

'Furious' cases may progress to 'dumb rabies', where the dog is less

aggressive and becomes paralysed.

Treatment: Do not ill-treat the animal on mere suspicion of rabies.

Get a vet to verify its condition. There is no treatment for dogs with

rabies. It is best to euthanise the animal.

A rabid animal is not mad. It is in such acute pain, that it is dazed

and cannot comprehend anything. Do not throw stones at it or tease it.

It will not attack if left alone. Isolate the affected animal. Use disposable

gloves to handle the animal. Keep the animal under observation for 10

days and call for veterinary help. Ensure that its surroundings are clean

and dry. All stray dogs are not rabid. So do not panic unnecessarily,

if you have been bitten by one.

What to do if you are bitten: Wash the wound with cold running water

and soap. Consult a doctor for post-bite vaccination schedule.

Commonly available vaccines include Rabipur, Verorab, Merieux, etc.