Canine Distemper Clinical Symptoms

The initial stage of distemper may be characterised by increased body temperature, biphasic fever, loss of appetite, poor spirits, increased eye and nose discharge, sneezing, runny nose, coughing and occasional diarrhoea. In the middle stages the cough may become more intense and some dogs may have hyperplasia of the cuticle of the foot pads. In the mid to late stages some dogs may develop neurological signs, epilepsy, muscle spasms, ataxia, and light paralysis.