Gastrointestinal Tract Disease vomiting small bowel diarrhea 5. There may be permanent immune deficiencies if the animals are infected in utero. If puppies are infected prior to the eruption of their teeth, many dental signs are visible upon inspection. Skeletal Lesions metaphyseal osteosclerosis of long bones in large breed dogs 3 to 6 months of age, resulting in excessively hard dense bones Diagnosis Practical diagnosis is often based on clinical signs and physical exam. A negative result does not rule out distemper as the animal may not have an antibody response in the early stage of the disease.
Treatment is non-specific and supportive.
The animal needs to be isolated to prevent infection of other dogs. Limiting the animals activity also helps to reduce the spread of virus particles. Antibiotics to reduce incidence of secondary bacterial infections due to the immunosuppressive effects of CDV may be required. Modified live viruses have been modified so as not to cause disease. In young puppies that have maternal antibodies it is possible to vaccinate with a measles virus vaccine.