Question:
my new puppy leo is mostly german shepard and we got him 3 days ago. I noticed he was coughing the first night we had him. We suspected it was kennal cough. So we took him to the bet and leo was diognosed with canine distemper. Our vet said that there was a 80% chance of him turning out fine. If anybody kind enough could give me some information on canine distemper i would really appreicate it. Im not sure if my vet was right because i have seen alot of different percentages so could you please share that with me to if you have tha timformation.

Answer:
I suppose it would be useless to suggest you go back to the person you got Leo from...? He clearly hadn't been vaccinated. Tell that person, anyhow. Distemper is extremely contagious and any other dogs in the vicinity can easily get it....the virus is active for about 6 months. If you have any other unvaccinated animals, consider there is a high possibility of them getting this disease. Do not bring any other unvaccinated, young, or weak dogs onto your property for about 6 months.

I hate to say but the mortality rate is about 80% for puppies. :( BUT, I had a puppy survive distemper...she was extremely sick and very close to dying. I was giving her IV fluids, hydration is important. Survivors of distemper often develop neurological problems later in life.

If you actually paid money for Leo, I would go back to the a$$hole you bought him from and ram a large blunt object where the sun don't shine. Regardless of Leo's outcome. But that's just me....

I will keep my fingers crossed for your sweet puppy...please let us know how he is doing. What treatment has your vet implemented?

Answer:
I completely agree with Carina

Where did you get the pup from? The other dogs may be in jeopardy of getting sick.

You must be very careful with your puppy, they can get very sick very fast and go down hill.

Remember, even though your pup may be vomiting and having diarrhea you MUST keep feeding him.

He may end up (if this is KC) getting a great deal of discharge from his nose and mouth so keep him hydrated.

Baby food, boiled chicken, potato and rice
water water and more water!

Please keep us posted

So sorry to hear your pup is sick.

Answer:
Our vet said that there was a 80% chance of him turning out fine


I"m shocked at this. Even puppies who do survive distemper can have symptoms and repercussions - like neurological, etc - for a LONG time after the clinical symptoms of the distemper disappear.

You were probably stunned at the diagnosis, so is there a chance he actually said 80% chance of not making it?

I"m very sorry this is happening to you. Where did you get this poor puppy?

Here are the facts about distemper, and they are not encouraging.:(
Canine distemper

Answer:
thank you everyone for your advice. Well we got Leo from a animal shelter (Spokananimal). And we are trying to decide if we want to give him back to the shelter. Its a very hard choice because we know if we give him back they will most likely put him down :(. I will tell you what happens as soon as we decide. and thank you very much for you support.

Answer:
If you decide that Leo cannot be saved, PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT take him back to the shelter to die alone with strangers and terrified, and they will definitely euthanize him.


Please take him to your vet, and stay with him while he is humanely and gently euthanized. This may be the only kindness he will know in his short life.:(

Answer:
Yes do not take him back to the shelter PLEASE!

Consult with your vet and see how bad this KC is.....the pup may be okay and I'm hoping so hard that things turn out.

BUT if this is looking bad, I agree to go to the vet and hold him in your arms while he falls asleep knowing someone loved him.

Answer: