Whether you are an experienced dog owner or on the verge of getting and adopting one, you should familiarize yourself with the various implications of diseases that a dog might get. One of these is a deadly and contagious illness called Canine Distemper. In case your dog is diagnosed with distemper, you need to know what things you should do to take care of it.
As an owner, you probably think, “what can I feed a dog with distemper?” Continue reading below and you’ll find out.
Distemper in Dogs
Canine distemper is a deadly disease that puts unvaccinated dogs at risk. It is caused by the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), which attacks the central nervous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems of your pups.
Distemper has no known cure and is transferable to other species like coyotes, ferrets, foxes, pandas, raccoons, skunks, and wolves. Dogs can get the virus from these members of the wildlife population, and they can also infect them at the same time.
Having no cure at all, experts did have a vaccine prepared for dogs so that they could not catch the virus that easily. Because of this vaccine, cases of distemper declined through the years.
How Did My Dog Get Distemper?
Distemper is an airborne virus that is transferred by sneezing, coughing, or even by the barking of an infected dog. These secretions directly travel into the respiratory system of a nearby pup.
Unlike parvovirus, which can live and survive on surfaces for weeks and months, distemper can only last for a few hours. However, that timeframe is enough to infect other healthy dogs if the virus is in the same area.
As an owner, you should not only ask what can I feed a dog with distemper; you should also think about where they ate from. Maybe they ate and drank in the same food and water bowl an infected dog uses.
The first thing you need to do when you suspect that your dog is infected is to go to your trusted veterinarian. An expert’s diagnosis is critical towards the recovery of your pet because they will be the one to provide necessary measures that you need to take as a fur parent.
What Can I Feed A Dog With Distemper?
First, you should know that distemper attacks an infected dog’s gastrointestinal system, which could lead to digestive disruptions that would cause dogs to lose their appetite. That is why you should carefully plan out the foods you’ll give to a pup with distemper while also considering the possibility of vomiting if given much more than needed.
These are some recommended foods that might help your dog with distemper:
Baby Food
There are baby foods available on the market that even your dog could enjoy eating. These products are already pureed so babies can easily digest them, which also applies to your poor pet suffering from distemper.
Canned Tuna
Some dogs enjoy eating fish, so you can also try giving your pup canned tuna that is rich in protein and fish oils. You can also try pairing this with rice, but make sure it is mixed well.
Chicken Broth
When your dog has a minimal appetite, you can try feeding it chicken broth directly into its mouth using a needleless syringe.
You can also feed them boneless chicken that is boiled enough to make it soft and easy to eat. Try pairing it with boiled potatoes, and it will be something that your dog will enjoy.
Liver
This is something you want to give your distemper-infected dog since it is full of nutrients that can help restore their health. Liver is soft and easy to eat, so your pet can still digest this food despite their decreased appetite.
Milk
Solid foods might be the last thing your dog wants during this time, so try giving them liquids like milk. Most dogs like warm milk, which is an excellent way to provide necessary nutrients for your fur baby.
Other food
There are also foods available within your reach that can help your dog gain more energy and nutrients while battling distemper. Some of them are listed below:
- Blueberries
- Bone Broth
- Pumpkin
- Rosemary
- Soft Canned Dog food
- Yogurt
Conclusion
Seeing your fur baby suffering from diseases like distemper could be pretty scary. However, you should remember that your care and love are needed for recovery. Asking, “what can I feed a dog with distemper,” is helpful to know what to provide for your pet. This disease is indeed deadly. But with the proper care, you can rest assured that your dog will overcome it.
A lot of dogs suffer from distemper but do not receive the right amount of care. Go and visit Doobert to adopt and help these pups! You can also help them as a volunteer to achieve their goal of assisting animal welfare organizations.
