What is the distemper vaccine for dogs

What is distemper?

Canine distemper affects dogs of all ages and is caused by a paramyxovirus that’s closely related to the measles virus. 

Transmission

Distemper generally spreads through sneezing or coughing but is shed in all body secretions. Other members of the dog family (coyotes, wolves and foxes) as well as skunks, ferrets, weasels and raccoons are susceptible to the virus, but it can’t be transmitted to domestic cats or people.

Treatment

There’s no specific treatment for the disease. Since there’s no specific treatment for the disease, veterinarians use supportive care to help prevent dehydration and secondary infections such as pneumonia. Even dogs that recover still require nursing care and must be isolated from other susceptible animals for up to 16 weeks.

Prevention

Dogs have no age-related immunity to distemper so it’s important that all animals — young and old — are vaccinated to prevent the disease. The vaccine most commonly used in veterinary clinics and shelters includes distemper virus in a combination shot with other diseases like parvovirus and adenovirus. Today’s vaccines are highly effective against distemper virus within three to five days of immunization.

Puppies should receive their first distemper vaccine between six and eight weeks of age, followed by booster shots every four weeks until they’re 16 weeks old.

If the vaccination status of puppies or their mother is unknown, it is advised to vaccinate early and often for canine distemper to decrease the chance of infection. Owners should keep young puppies away from dog parks, pet stores, or doggie day cares until after they have had their last set of shots.

Most veterinarians recommend vaccinating adult dogs against distemper virus every three years.

Ever wonder what that alphabet soup of letters in your dog’s distemper vaccine stands for? A distemper vaccine is more than a preventive against canine distemper virus. This vaccine, considered a core vaccine for all dogs in the United States, also protects against a host of other diseases you may not know your dog is susceptible to. These can include adenovirus, parvovirus, and others.

Overview

Canine distemper is a serious, highly contagious disease with a death rate approaching 50 percent. The canine distemper vaccine is typically given in some variation of a combination vaccine that also protects your pet from several other serious diseases.

Vaccine Characteristics

The exact combination of your dog’s distemper combination vaccine depends on your dog’s age and individual disease-risk profile, but in general, the most important diseases that the vaccine protects against are canine distemper, canine adenovirus-2 infection (hepatitis and respiratory disease), canine parvovirus infection, and parainfluenza. The abbreviation for this combination vaccine is frequently written as “DHPP,” “DA2PP,” “DHPPV,” or “DA2PPV” on a pet’s health records.

The letters in these abbreviations are defined as follows:

D = Canine distemper virus. Infection with this virus is serious, with a death rate approaching 50 percent in untreated dogs. The virus attacks the respiratory, digestive, and brain/nervous systems of dogs.

H = Hepatitis (or A2). Because this vaccine protects against canine adenovirus-2 and canine adenovirus-1, it is often referred to as A2. Canine adenovirus-1 causes canine infectious hepatitis, a serious disease that affects the liver. Canine adenovirus-2 causes respiratory disease and is one of the infectious agents commonly associated with tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough.

A2 = Canine adenovirus-2 (or H). This virus causes a respiratory disease in dogs (see above).

P = Parvovirus. Infection with this virus is highly contagious and serious, with a death rate approaching 90 percent in untreated dogs. The virus attacks the digestive and immune systems of unvaccinated animals, causing debilitating diarrhea and vomiting.

P = Parainfluenza. This virus causes a mild respiratory disease in dogs.

Therefore, a notation of “DA2PPV,” “DHPP,” DA2PP,” or “DHPPV” in a pet’s vaccination record means that your pet was vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis (canine adenovirus-2 and -1), parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

Other distemper combination vaccine components (which may be appropriate depending on an individual patient’s risk profile) may include the following:

C = Coronavirus. This causes a highly contagious viral disease in dogs. The disease typically affects the intestinal tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Vaccination against this virus is generally considered noncore (optional) but may be recommended in areas where coronavirus is very common.

L = Leptospirosis. This potentially serious bacterial disease attacks the kidneys and liver of infected dogs and can be transmitted to humans. Vaccination against this disease is generally considered noncore but may be recommended in areas where leptospirosis is common.

B = Bordetella. Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium that causes respiratory disease in dogs. It is one of the most common bacterial causes of canine infectious tracheobronchitis, which is also sometimes called kennel cough. Bordetella is highly contagious, easily transmitted through direct contact or the air, and resistant to destruction in the environment. Though not considered a core vaccine, Bordetella vaccine may be recommended for dogs whose lifestyle places them at greater risk of contracting the disease. This includes dogs that are boarded frequently or that regularly visit grooming parlors or dog parks regularly.

This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian.

What does a distemper shot do for a dog?

A vaccine recommended for use in healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by canine distemper virus, adenovirus type 1 (hepatitis) and adenovirus type 2 (respiratory disease), canine parainfluenza virus, and canine parvovirus.

Is a distemper shot necessary for dogs?

Canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus are two infections against which veterinarians vaccinate their canine patients. Vaccination against distemper and parvovirus is important because these diseases can be deadly.

How often does my dog need the distemper shot?

Caused by an airborne virus, distemper is a severe disease that, among other problems, may cause permanent brain damage. Puppies need a booster 1 year after completing the initial series, then all dogs need a booster every 3 years or more often. Core dog vaccine.

How long does a distemper shot last for a dog?

What is the best way to protect my dog from distemper? Vaccines are very effective. Most dogs will respond to the vaccine producing protective immunity that will last at least three years, regardless of exposure.