CANINE DISTEMPER

an acute, highly contagious, viral disease affecting dogs, foxes, wolves, mink, raccoons, and ferrets. A few days after exposure to the virus, the animal develops a fever, becomes apathetic, and refuses food and water. Further symptoms include coughing and discharges from the eyes and nose; vomiting and diarrhea; and muscular twitching, posterior paralysis, or convulsions. Canine distemper is best treated by prompt injections of serum globulin; secondary infections are warded off by use of antibiotics. Most untreated cases are fatal. Immunity can, however, be conferred by vaccination.