Distemper

[rott]

Is distemper in a dog transferable at all to humans? One of ours had it for a few days and I was really rough for about 48 hours, now the dog is OK and the missis is flat out.

[Phil Conners]

There is both feline and canine distemper, I think both are limited to their species. Would be nice to get it clarified if there are any vets or docs on the board.

[Sheryl]

No risk to humans, but you are indeed lucky your dog pulled through.

It is highly infectious to other dogs so need to consider any other canines your dog may have been around that haven't been fully immunized.

Incubation period between exposure and symptoms anywhere from few days to 2 weeks.

[bina]

distemper is not a zoonotic disease; are u sure it was distemper? there are other diseases that are: leptospirosis (usually through water via rats/mice, not uncommon in thailand among farmers), and things like diahrea that transfer (e.coli for example) but usually that comes from direct fecal to mouth contact (like with children) or maybe both ate from teh same bad food? worms?

when u say your wife is ill, what does she have? at any rate most likely cooncidence.

the only other diseases i can think of are some tick born or mosquito born diseases, (there are different types all with similar names and depends on location thailand vx. farangland etc as not all dog tick or mossie born diseases can develop in humans....

what does your vet say teh dog has?

bina

israel

[rott]

Thanks for the helpful replies. The vet (in Nakon Sawan) diagnosed distemper, it was the 3rd day of the dog who is 6 months old, looking a bit rough. The bill for the consultation plus 2 injections and an hour and a bit on a drip was 240 baht. Took him back next day, 2 more injections cost 180 baht and the vet (doctor for dog in the local parlance) came out to the house to give the dogs brother a jab, charge for this was 80 baht. It took another 2 days for the sick one to come right, but no further problems. I was rough for say 36 hours and Mrs R. for about 12, from people's comments this was probably unrelated to the distemper, if indeed that was actually the problem. All's well that ends well and thanks again for the input.

Edited January 21, 2010 by rott