Coping With Canine Distemper

Prince is a one year old yellow lab mix I adopted from a shelter. On the day of adoption he showed signs of kennel cough and was sent home with Doxycyline. His symptoms became worse the next day consisting of explosive diarrhea, vomiting ,and he wasn’t eating. I took him back to the shelter vet where he tested negative for Parvo and gave him metronidazole thinking it was just a GI virus. The next day, his symptoms were worse. I took him back again and was advised that if I gave back he would be euthanized. I couldnt bare it and decided to take him to my vet. He spent the next 4 days in the hospital on IV fluids and antibiotics. Concerning the cost, the vet graciously footed the bill for three days. Unbelieveable!

Numerous tests were done and still no clear diagnosis. I brought him home and he continues to not eat, though he is drinking water, and he continues to be very lethargic, depressed, with respiratory signs, perfuse drooling, and periods of standing still hanging his head just staring at the floor. We can’t help but think this is distemper The vet doc’s also think it is a possibility.

Unfortunately, Prince’s quality of life seems to suffer and we fear we are going to have to euthanize him. I want to give him more time, but it just gets tougher trying to force feed him and give him his meds that rarely make it down. It is difficult to differentiate wether he is weak because he has not eaten or if these are neurological signs developing. If he is euthanized, the shelter vet will be sending him to animal pathology for an autopsy since this case is so odd.

Thank you for this opportunity to share.