SOUTHEAST ALASKA ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER
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​ Canine Distemper

What is Canine Distemper?
Also known as CDV, Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral illness that can be debilitating and even fatal. It not only affects dogs but can also be seen in certain species of wildlife including foxes, skunks and wolves. Puppies and non-immunized dogs are most commonly affected, but pets on immune-suppressants may also be vulnerable.

CDV is resistant to the majority of cleaning products and household bleach is the only known way to eradicate it.

What causes CDV?
The CDV virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal via bodily fluids such as saliva from coughs or sneezes. Inhalation is the most common way it enters a new dogs system. It attacks the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.

The virus does not live long once outside the body so indirect contact is extremely rare.
As with most contagious diseases, animal shelters and kennels are much more likely to be contaminated.

Symptoms of CDV
The primary symptoms of CDV include but are not limited to:
  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Nasal discharge
  • Reduced appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Watery or pus-like discharge from the eyes
Once the virus reaches the central nervous system (CNS) it can cause twitching, seizures and partial or total paralysis. This causes irreparable damage to a dog’s nervous system, resulting in death.

Diagnosis
Diagnosing CDV can be tricky as many of the symptoms that present themselves can be indicative of a wide range of illnesses. Therefore it is necessary to undertake a combination of tests in order to give an accurate diagnosis. These tests can include but are not limited to:
  • Biochemical profiling
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging studies including x-rays and ultrasounds
  • Physical examination
You will also be asked to provide a comprehensive history of the health of your pet and the progression of any symptoms that they have displayed. You may also be asked to provide samples of other bodily fluids.

Treatment
There is no cure for CDV itself, but instead treatment revolves around easing symptoms and ensuring that further problems such as bacterial infections do not take hold. This is usually done in a hospital environment and may involve intravenous fluid therapy, anti-sickness medications, antibiotics, anti-convulsion medications and glucocorticoid therapy.

Vaccinations against CDV are also effective in killing the virus if administered within 4 days of exposure to the virus.
Canine distemper is estimated to be fatal in around 50% of cases affecting adult dogs and around 80% of cases affecting puppies. When fatalities occur it is usually as due to damage to the central nervous system which has resulted in complications.

Prevention is better than cure!
As with most illnesses, prevention is almost certainly better than cure. Vaccinations against CDV can be done as early as 6 weeks old and puppies should be vaccinated at 6, 9 and 12 weeks, after which they should be kept from socializing with other animals for another fortnight. After 14 weeks of age they should be sufficiently vaccinated to have contact with other animals.

If you are re-homing an older dog then check with the shelter or current owner when it last had a CDV vaccination. If you are in any doubt at all then consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives the correct vaccination program for their requirements.

Ongoing Care
Dogs that are suspected of having CDV should be isolated from any other dogs within the household, and you should ensure that your other dogs are adequately vaccinated against the disease. Your pet will need a warm, safe place to recover with food and water located nearby. Ensure that you regularly clean all of your dogs’ equipment with non-toxic cleaner.
Regular CDV vaccinations should help prevent further occurrences.

CLINIC INFORMATION
Address: 

8231 Glacier Highway
Juneau, AK 99801

Phone:

After Hours Emergencies:

907-789-7551

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907-789-7551

OFFICE HOURS
Monday       8:00am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm-5:00pm

Tuesday       8:00am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm-5:00pm

Wednesday 8:00am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm-5:00pm

Thursday     8:00am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm-5:00pm

Friday          8:00am- 1:00pm / 2:00pm-5:00pm

Saturday      Closed

Sunday        Closed
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EMERGENCY SERVICES

Due to very short staffing we will be offering limited after-hours coverage during the month of February-March. This was a hard decision to make, but a necessity to allow our doctors to provide care during the day. We will still have VetTriage available 24 hours a day for telehealth consultations and will have a doctor available for on-call services some weeknights. We will not offer in-hospital after-hours coverage February 27, March 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30. We advise our clients to be mindful of this limitation and keep their animals indoors, on leash and under supervision to prevent injury by car, porcupine quills, dog fights and lacerations. If you perceive an emergency situation outside of business hours, please reach out to VetTriage. If you contact VetTriage and they recommend contacting our office the following business day, please call (907)789-7551 at 7:30AM to secure an appointment. If you perceive a medical issue with your animal during business hours, please contact our office early so we can advise you if a same day urgent care appointment is needed.

To continue offering after-hours care to our clients and patients we must make a few changes.
Starting today, October 15th, we will be offering after-hours care only between the hours of 5pm and 10pm. Weekend days we will cover between 8am and 10pm. If you are unsure if your animal is having a life threatening emergency please reach out to VetTriage well before 10pm to see if your animal requires emergency medical attention. If you need help after 10pm reach out to VetTriage and they will give you medical advice and instruct you what to do until your animal can be seen.
Starting today, October 15th, we will no longer be treating patients for clients that are established with and receiving treatment at other local clinics. We will treat patients that have been established with our practice and have received routine services (yearly examinations, vaccinations, spay or neuter) within the last 24 months. We will also see patients that are new to Juneau and are not established with a local clinic.

For after hours emergency services we have partnered with VetTriage to offer video telehealth services. The VetTriage veterinarians are available 24/7 and for a consult fee they will assess your pet on live video chat to determine if your pet requires immediate emergency care, or simply monitoring at home until we reopen. In the event of an emergency they will coordinate your visit with the on call veterinarian. Please click the button below to initiate the telehealth service.

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Make An Appointment 

To make an appointment please call 907-789-7551 our staff looks forward to talking to you!

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Wellness Care
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostics
    • Emergency Care
    • Exotic Patient Care
    • Non-Invasive Treatments
    • Surgical Procedures
  • About
    • Meet Our Professional Staff
    • Meet Our Support Staff
  • Contact
  • Client Reviews
  • Life in Juneau
  • Local Resources
  • Helpful Articles for Dogs
  • Helpful Articles for Cats
  • Helpful Articles for Health
  • General Articles
  • Privacy Policy