Distemper types
        1.    Young non vaccinated dog with all the recognizable symptoms;
                i.e. pneumonia, catarrh, fever, diarrhea, collapse, inclusions in bladder,
                elevated IgG, IgM, IFA inclusions etc.

        2.    Mild nondescript diseases shows transient signs often not recognized  \
                in early stages, quick recovery, can be confused with kennel cough.  The
                secondary symptoms appear; i.e. chorea, demyelination, hard pad, nasal
                symptoms, pneumonia, ocular symptoms, K/S and old dog encephalitis.

        3.    New form of Distemper relatively rare - adult dog fully vaccinated multiple
                times, breaks with some symptoms of distemper, the exposure factor
                unknown - possible wild species exposure.

        4.    Vaccine induced type -  no pneumonia, no inclusions in body, seizures,
                inclusions in brain found upon autopsy, elisa tests for distemper antibody of
                CSF positive, however this test is no longer available.  No inclusions in the
                bladder.  Do not use Distemper / Parvo combination vaccines because some
                dogs suffer from encephalitis.  No treatment available that I know of.

Treatment Rx
                For types 1-2-3, give 1 cc of serum per 10 pounds of body weight, three
                treatments, every twelve hours, subcutaneously.  Give antibiotics for one
                week to control secondary symptoms, such as pneumonia.  Give fluids to
                control shock on initial presentation

Results
                Complete secession of all symptoms in 12 - 48 hours.  Secondary bacterial
                pneumonia must be treated with antibiotics.

Opinion
                It has been our observation that animals treated early do not have secondary
                symptoms.

                I would recommend all dogs suspected of distemper have full white cell
                count, complete blood profile, IgG and IgM titers to confirm distemper.  To
                confirm distemper, do a brush border slide of the bladder, about 90% will be
                positive in early stages.  Rare inclusions can be seen in the red cells.  I have
                never seen inclusions in the conjunctiva.  IFA tests are available to confirm
                distemper.

                Dogs can be treated later in the disease, but the serum will not undo viral
                damage that has already taken place.  It is therefore best to treat in
                the early stages, or with the first symptoms.

                This procedure has been presented on the internet because of an article by
                Mr. Ed Bond on distemper.  I have had requests for information via e-mail and
                phone calls from many states and several countries.  I hope this procedure
                works for you.  I have had excellent success.  This article has not been peer
                reviewed.  Please take this article to you veterinarian.  I f you have any
                question or comments please feel free to e-mail me.

                E-mail Dr. Sears
 
                Link to Ed Bond's article