Puppies and dogs most often become infected through airborne exposure (through sneezing or coughing) to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal.The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment.
How can canine distemper be transmitted?
Dogs catch distemper from other dogs or wild animals that are infected with it. They can catch it by having direct contact with the sick animal, or by standing near the animal when it is coughing. They can also catch it if they have contact with food bowls or other objects that were contaminated by infected animals.
Can distemper be passed by saliva?
Distemper is a highly contagious disease. It is mainly transmitted by aerosols (airborne microdroplets) or by direct and indirect contact with oral, respiratory and ocular fluids (e.g., saliva, sneezing), urine or feces of infected animals.
Can distemper be spread through clothes?
It is possible to spread the disease through materials such as clothing, shoes, food/water bowls and surfaces that came in contact with vomit/diarrhea. The distemper virus is extremely hardy and unfortunately can be a danger to new pets, even once the infected dog is no longer in the home.
How long does distemper stay in your house?
It is also in droplets that may be on surfaces (i.e. food bowls). Distemper does not survive long in the outside environment. It will survive only a few hours at room temperature and a few weeks in cooler shady places. From time of infection to first clinical signs is 3-7 days.
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