Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello, I am posting this topic because I need help with my pup Rocky. Rocky has distemper, I am located in Tijuana, Mexico but have started to get his treatment in a San Diego facility. However, from what we have experienced there isn't much help for distemper dogs. Most of the information I have found is online, as far as what to expect and a bit about the virus. I found Dr. Huddleston's information and ordered the NDV Serum and Rocky is about to do his last shot. I saw a bit of improvement but it seems the effects are temporary, or that disease has already entered the neurological stage. Rocky hasn't had a seizure that I am aware of yet but he has muscle ticks and tremors. He also begins to fall asleep in-place, bobbing his head, yesterday was the first time he fell down doing this. He wasn't eating but he has begun to eat a little bit, I am trying to continue to feed him but Today he doesn't want to. I need some help in this, We are going up against this alone, there isn't much information I can find in the Southern California area about this virus. 

I currently have Rocky on:
1. Tobramycin for his conjunctivitis
2. CBD for his tremors, ticks & appetite
3. Corenia 60mg for his nausea but he hasn't been nauseous
4. Clavamox as an antibiotic
5. Phenobarb if he gets into the Seizure stage
6. SQ fluid
7. NDV Serum

Please help my boy. 

Hi RockyTina,

I would consider taking Rocky to a veterinary specialist (internal medicine) for care, if you haven't already.

Sometimes veterinarians will prescribe things like appetite stimulants, or muscle relaxants or other medications that could help Rocky. Some dogs' tremors never resolve and they live with them for the rest of their life (and some dogs go on to live long lives). Other dogs' tremors persist but lessen. Sometimes tremors turn into seizures or other problems develop. So there's a lot that could/might happen...and unfortunately only time will tell how your sweet pup progresses.

Are you warming his food a bit and giving him extra tasty food to eat?

Sheila

Hi,
Rocky has made a recovery. He doesn't show any signs of the virus anymore. I wanted to attach a couple links that might help someone that finds themselves in the same situation as we did.

^This contains lots of information about the virus and what to expect as well as some insight as Dog parents to questions you may not yet want to think about. 

I ordered the serum through Dr. Huddleston from a page off the smiling dog rescue.
https://www.smilingdogrescue.com/distemper-cure/

^The phone number is on the bottom of the page, you will need your vet to order it and you might be the one to give some of the shots as they need to be given at exact times. Honestly, as much as an educational experience as this has been and is I wouldn't wish this to anyone, its so hard to watch your pet go through this and know there isn't very much you can do. Time is against you and if you're reading this and considering it, just do it. Rocky didn't have any options left and was literally dying before our eyes, I'm thankful for all the help we received along the way.

Thanks RockyTina, I'm also abroad (further from the US than Mexico) with a 6 month old pup with distemper and I found Dr. Ellen Jefferson's video presentation to be the most comprehensive thing out there right now. Thankfully our less-experienced local vet was mostly in agreement with all the prescribed medications. Our pup is in the advanced stages, can barely walk, but still has an appetite and loves to snuggle while the tics and spasms come and go. Dr. Jefferson says she doesn't see a difference with the serum but that they use it because people ask for it. Do you think it was really just the serum that helped you and your dog get through this? Or was there anything else?

I will also add that many of us don't have access to veterinary hospitals or specialists where we live but do what we can as best we can with the resources we have available. Unfortunately that's the nature of the world we live in.  

Dear Alex and Loui,

First off I am sorry that you are going through this it is a difficult situation and yes I can understand the situation as it’s very similar.

I had also noticed Dr. Jefferson response to the serum but I would have to disagree. Rocky was in the advanced stages of distemper with all his prescribed medication. I thought nothing would work, after the first shot my wife and I had noticed rapid changes in him with the ticks stopping. The shots are given 12 hours apart by the 10 hour of the first shot I noticed the tics come back. The 2nd shot was given and within minutes again the tics were under control and he immediately got some rest. By the next morning I had feared the same as the tics came back, the third shot was given and within the first hour he was eating and eating so much food. By the very next day I could barely see the signs of distemper. In the following days he was a different dog.

Ok wow, that is helpful to know. I don't know if they deliver to my country but I'll see what I can do.

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. 

My vet called in and basically explained to me that they were basic similarities in the distemper virus and Newcastle and that it’s not really a complete study.  What country do you live in?

Tina! My dog Riley has distemper and I ALSO found the same Dr. Huddleston. 
Who is your vet? I need help. I do not know any vet who will order the serum for me.
My pup still has a chance as she has not shown any neurological signs yet! 

Please help!!