Coping With Canine Distemper

I have 3 dogs, a 1 year old rottweiler named ABBIE and an 8 month old german shepherd named PIPER and also the adorable sweet 8 month old Doberman named ONYX. All 3 of them gave so much joy to the family especially my parents who adore them and spoil them. All 3 of them are so precious to us and we love them so much. All 3 of them have there complete up to date vaccinations and deworming.
Last July we frequently visit the animal hospital since ABBIE and ONYX has eye discharges. So the veterinarian said that its common for this kind of season to have eye discharges since it’s a rainy season here in the Philippines, just apply Maxitrol eye drops, 2 drops twice a day for 1 week”. Well ABBIE’s eye recovered but, still ONYX have eye discharges, and I noticed there is some muscle twitching in her forehead and she is like chewing so we went back to the animal hospital and the veterinarian said that I should continue the eyes drops and give ONYX vitamin C and she said your dog is just shivering maybe she felt cold.
So Last August 4, 2007 we went back again to the veterinarian and now ONYX has severe yellowish eye and nasal discharges and Muscle twitching in her forehead and also appears to be chewing and also hard foot pads. Then the veterinarian said that she is suspecting distemper and needs for laboratory test to confirm it. So the veterinarian took some amount of blood. I really felt sad and also worried, not only for onyx but also for the other 2 dogs.
But that’s the only symptoms ONYX have, her appetite is good, she is running and very active, she has no diarrhea and she is not vomiting.
After 24 hours the veterinarian called me and said that ONYX is positive with distemper and the only choice I have is to put her to sleep (euthanasia) and the veterinarian wont prescribed for onyx any medications because she said there is no hope for ONYX and she said onyx will deteriorate and she will die soon. When the vet said those words I felt I’m going to faint and it was so painful for me since I really never expected anything could happen to my dog, since all of them are up to date vaccinations and they have clean houses, clean food, and clean water. I told my parents about what the veterinarian said and me and my family decided not to put her to sleep and we will fight with ONYX.
I called up the breeder where my dad and I bought ONYX, and she said that I should go for another veterinarian doctor for another confirmation. So August 6, 2007, we went to another veterinarian doctor, and he said that ONYX is positive of distemper and the veterinarian said that there is still something you could do, there is nothing wrong in trying but it is expensive. So he prescribed antibiotics, anticonvulsants and vitamins for ONYX.
It’s almost a week now and ONYX is still alive and kicking, she has still eye discharges and hard foot pads, but I noticed that her nasal discharges have disappeared. Her appetite is still good and she run and walk good, her balance is good and she is ok.
But I hope and pray for her recovery and good health. Also for my other 2 dogs…