Skin health: Beeswax and your skin

www.grampagilmans.com

Beeswax is a natural wax secreted by wax glands from the abdomen of young worker bees. 

Beeswax is a natural emulsifier that infuses skin creams with the delicate rich scent of honey while sealing in moisture. It covers skin with a light, protective layer that allows the skin to breath. 

Added to skin creams, beeswax creates the bridge between oil and water allowing the two to mix flawlessly. 

Not only does beeswax allow oil and water to mix, it adds healing, soothing and deep moisturizing properties to skin creams.

Beeswax is known to;

• lock in moisture, 
• foster cells ***(Cell signalling is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their micro-environment is the basis of development, tissue repair, and immunity as well as normal tissue homeostasis)***
• protect skin from damaging environmental factors. 

Beeswax effectively softens skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. 

Beeswax's properties and wound healing;

• anti-inflammatory, 
• antibacterial,
• anti-allergenic
• germicidal 
• antioxidant 

properties make it beneficial for wound healing. It is reported that beeswax contains some vitamin A, which is necessary for normal cell development.

BENEFITS for your lips...

forum.chip.co.id

beeswax forms a protective seal over your lips, 

it helps lock in moisture, which helps soften lips; 

it also creates a pleasing sheen.
Because beeswax is biologically active even after processing, it
contains skin-friendly antioxidants and even has some anti-bacterial properties.

Products containing salicylic acid, a skin irritant, may foster lip balm addiction; beeswax, on the other hand, contains no skin irritants. 

Beeswax Soothes and Heals The Skin....
Beeswax is a natural anti-inflammatory. 

It heals and minimizes eruptions, acne, redness and minor rashes. 

The anti-bacterial and anti-microbial elements prevent infections from developing while healing existing discomforts.

***On the downside, beeswax lip balms tend to cost more than other lip care options.***

USES....

Face and body creams contain both water and oil elements. Oil and water will not mix willingly, but with an emulsifier they blend together.

The emulsifier breaks the oil and the water into tiny droplets that fuse to create creamy face and body creams. Beeswax provides the necessary emulsifying elements to create a skin cream without synthetic chemicals, while infusing the cream
with natural healing and deep moisturizing properties.

www.ehow.com

Beeswax is used in....

• medical creams, 
• cosmetics, 
• lip balms, 
• ointments, 
• lotions, 
• soaps
• dental floss. 
• You can also use beeswax as a remedy for stretch marks,
• eczema, 
• chapped lips, 
• cuts
• cracked heels.

POSSIBLE ALLERGIES...
if you are allergic to honey or related products, it's best recommended to avoid beeswax and products containing beeswax

Call/text/whatsapp +254725733412 for more queries and quotations regarding a bee keeper, organic unfiltered honey supplier or just honey-related products..
Or you can simply contact me to get all these details...

This is Serenity...

Related articles:

Anti-oxidants; your health!!

Hair loss: herbs and oils

Mental health: Stress

LEMON WATER, DETOX TEAS AND WEIGHT LOSS

Puppy Health: Canine Parvovirus

You can read more on
weight loss
weight gain
health
fitness,
hair care
skin care,
medical,
herbal stuff ,
depression ,
insomnia,
what makes us blue at times
plus all other random helpful stuff in the blog!!

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page .

Also, make sure to visit our website where you can get a wide range of items at very reasonable prices, plus minimal hassle (or just browse through if you feel like window shopping!!)

Anti-oxidants; your health!!

www.rayandterry.com

Chemistry of Oxidants
Free radicals or oxidants are molecules containing single unpaired electrons, and are on the lookout for electrons to pair up. Exogenous and endogenous oxidants or free radicals are the major cause of over a hundred human diseases. 

The process of ageing is also hastened by the onslaught of oxidants in the body. 

(***don't forget to sign up for more health tips***)

Oxidants are normally produced during healthy cellular metabolism, wherein 98 per cent of the oxygen consumed by a cell is converted to water. The remaining one to two per cent of the unutilised oxygen is free to escape as free radicals.

A portion of the oxidants go on a rampage damaging cell membranes, lipids, DNA etc. causing significant cell defects or destruction. Natural endogenous free radicals or oxidants are derived not only from metabolic reactions, but also from physiological and psychological stress and immunological reactions to microbial infections and allergens. 

Much of this damage is repaired by naturally occurring antioxidant systems that scavenge oxidants, but not all of them.

Oxidative stress...

Oxidative stress occurs when the production of harmful molecules called free radicals is beyond the protective capability of the antioxidant defenses. 

Free radicals are chemically active atoms or molecular fragments that have a charge due to an excess or deficient number of electrons.

HOW OXIDANTS DAMAGE THE BODY..

If oxidants are not paired with electrons, they start a series of chain reactions leading to damage of living cells and tissues. This may lead to development of various degenerative diseases including artherosclerotic heart disease, diabetes, skin ailments, arthritis, smoking induced lung disease and, neurodegenerative disorders, cataract, retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cancer, and may also increase the rates of mortality associated with some of these diseases.

Taking care of yourself

What are antioxidants and how do they work...?

Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged.

Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes (proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions)

Natural Antioxidants

The vitamins particularly ;

• vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene and other carotenoids, 
• vitamin C or ascorbic acid, 
• vitamin E as tocopherols and tocotrienols function as independently active natural dietary antioxidants.

Minerals are the other dietary antioxidants that are critical to the activation of vital antioxidant enzyme systems in the body. 

• Selenium is required for the antioxidant activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. 
• Zinc is essential for the activity of at least 90 enzymes including the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase. 
• Copper and manganese are also needed for superoxide dismutase activity.

We can get most of these antioxidants through the diet, but most are destroyed during cooking and processing. This is why supplementation is very important, especially if you are not keen on your diet.
These vitamins and minerals can easily be bought at a pharmacy or health store without a prescription (Or you can simply contact me to get all these details..)

※always follow the recommended dosage, and consult with your doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions otherwise you may risk toxicity/poisoning of the liver by over-indulging ※

Supplementation of these dietary antioxidants in the right concentrations is important for protection against disease and premature ageing, healthy skin,hair and nails.

Sources of antioxidants:

• Fruits
• vegetables
• herbal teas
• store-bought dietary supplements
• honey
• herbs like ginger and rosemary

Call/text/whatsapp +254725733412 for more queries and quotations regarding dietary supplements, foods and how they work to help you stay healthy

source
http://www.pharmafield.co.uk/features/2003/05/the-balancing-of-oxidants-and-antioxidants

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/antioxidant1.htm

Related articles:

HOW MASS GAINERS WORK TO HELP YOU GAIN WEIGHT

Anabolic state, Catabolic state and your Weight

The key difference between FAT-LOSS and WEIGHT-LOSS

How to curb cravings with Appetite suppresing amino acid - Phenylalanine

HOW "Thermogenic" Products HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

You can read more on
weight loss
weight gain
health
fitness,
hair care
skin care/ acne care,
medical,
herbal stuff ,
depression ,
insomnia,
what makes us blue at times
plus all other random helpful stuff in the blog!!

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page .

Also, make sure to visit our website where you can get a wide range of items at very reasonable prices, plus minimal hassle (or just browse through if you feel like window shopping!!)

Mental health: Stress

Mental Health: Stress

www.chironhealingcentre.com

※ A mango tree with a low self esteem cannot produce plums... A mango tree on a bad day cannot change the principle that God put into it to produce after its kind. ※

Stress is here with us to stay. We encounter stressors daily and most often, we just have to deal with it...
The problem is that, stress over a long period of time has some very serious implications on our mental health, and eventually, our physical stress. 

One of the leading causes of depression is stress!!
And stress can come from anywhere; from work, to family, to friends, projects, dreams and goals... and the most influential factor; how we perceive ourselves - when you look at yourself in the mirror, do you love or hate the person you see in the reflection?

Well, as per Prof. P.G. Kioy, there are some guidelines on stress management.(plus a list of medical specialists as per UAP insurance)

※※※These guidelines are not universal, but they are very handy, and I always refer to them from time to time even when I am not under much stress.

So here goes:

★Don't put off relaxing - use some physical relaxation adjuncts or techniques like music, autogenic training, yoga, transcendal meditation, sauna, steam bath, spa sessions, massage etc (personally i prefer music and yoga)

★Avoid self medication with tranquilizers, alcohol, nicotine or coffee/high caffeine products (I am guilty of these, but I am gradually incorporating vitamins and mineral supplements, diet and exercise to reduce my dependency, especially on tranquilizers)

★Work off stress using light physical exercise, games, house chores, walking the dogs etc. Just don't strain yourself; once you feel overwhelmed, take that break otherwise you will burn out.

★Get enough sleep as much as possible without use of sleeping pills (or if you are already using them, start weaning yourself gradually; (milk and honey works best for me before bed time)

★Rest whenever you are sick and DO NOT flog yourself; you are not lazy - straining yourself will only compromise your immunity further.

★Learn to accept what you cannot change - don't cry over spilt milk or bang your head against the wall ; all you will get is a headache (easier said than done, but you need to practice it daily and your life will be much simpler)

★Learn and practice to agree rather than disagree, and avoid entrenching interpersonal conflicts, especially with close family members and colleagues (don't be a doormat - if something is against your principles, do not be coerced to participate - you will actually be less stressed!!)

★Know when you are tired and rest. Do not push yourself beyond your abilities - you will end up seeing more doctors than friends!!!

★Plan your day ahead and plan your chores REALISTICALLY. The only work that remains undone at the end of the day is work you had not planned for (and learn to acknowledge that your day is not wasted even if only one task was accomplished - don't be lazy; but don't work yourself like an ox either)

★Be a better time manager, and leave TIME BUFFERS between commitments for unexpected emergencies - we live in an imperfect world; anything can happen.

So, there you go. I have used these points to try organize my life systematically. It has been a process; two years down the line but I am glad to be reaping the benefits.

I hope the same for you. God gave us life so that we can live it and enjoy it, not to be tormented.

This is Serenity!!

※Prof. Kioy is a neurological consultant physician, and can be found at Upperhill Medical Centre.
You can reach his office through tel : 020-2721580 / 020-2727211 / 0734691462 / 0721738770  for an appointment※ 

or you can contact me for more information

Related articles:

Learn to let go..

Of relationship articles: Sow to reap...

Depression: Is it really genetic?

Sleeping too little? Supplements, meds and herbs that can help you sleep

The German Shepherd Dog

You can read more on

weight loss
weight gain
health
fitness,
hair care
skin care,
medical,
herbal stuff ,
depression ,
insomnia,
what makes us blue at times
plus all other random helpful stuff in the blog!!

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page .
Also, make sure to visit our website where you can get a wide range of items at very reasonable prices, plus minimal hassle (or just browse through if you feel like window shopping!!)

Puppy health: Rabies!!

dog with rabies in the paralytic (post-furious) stage photo

WHAT IS IT??
Rabies is a virus that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including dogs, cats and humans.
It is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain.

Since animals who have rabies secrete large amounts of virus in their saliva, the disease is primarily passed to dogs through a bite from an infected animal.
It can also be transmitted through a scratch (especially with cats) or when infected saliva makes contact with mucous membranes or an open, fresh wound.
The risk runs highest if your dog-or any pet-is exposed to wild animals.
The most common carriers of the rabies virus are bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes.

┅Rabies is reported in cats more than in any
domestic species mostly due to their tendency to roam a lot. ┅

If there are also cats in your household, it’s important to make sure they are vaccinated and kept indoors.

Early symptoms...
*may include fever and tingling at the site of exposure.
*This is then followed by either violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, and fear of water or an
inability to move parts of the body and confusion followed by loss of consciousness .

※In both cases, once symptoms appear it nearly always results in death.※

Types/variations...

Hydrophobia ("fear of water")
It is the historic name for rabies. It refers to a
set of symptoms in the later stages of an infection in which the person/animal has:
*difficulty swallowing, shows panic when presented with liquids to drink, and can't quench his or her thirst.
*All mammals infected with the virus may
demonstrate hydrophobia.
*Saliva production is greatly increased, and attempts to drink, or even the intention or suggestion of drinking may cause excruciatingly painful spasms of the muscles in the throat and larynx.
This can be attributed to the fact that the
virus multiplies and assimilates in the salivary glands of the infected animal for the purpose of further transmission through biting and the infected animal's ability to transmit the virus will reduce significantly if he can swallow his saliva with/without external source of water.
*Hydrophobia is commonly associated with furious rabies that affects 80% of the infected people and animals.

Paralytic form..
The remaining 20% may experience a paralytic form of rabies that's marked by muscle weakness, loss of sensation and paralysis.
This rabies form doesn't usually cause fear of water.

Transmission..
The disease is spread to humans from another animal, commonly by a bite or scratch. Infected saliva that comes into contact with any mucous membrane is also a risk.

In humans death almost always occurs 2 to 10 days after first symptoms. Survival is rare once symptoms have presented, even with the administration of proper and intensive care.

Progression...
Once rabies infection occurs, the virus grows in muscle tissue and may go undetected for several days or months.
During this incubation (or latent) period, the animal appears healthy and shows no sign of infection.
Usually within 1 to 3 months, the virus migrates to the nerves near the site of the infection and spreads to the spinal cord and brain (i.e., the central nervous
system).
It usually takes from 12 to 180 days to spread through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system.
At this point, the disease progresses rapidly, and the animal begins to show the classic behavioral signs of rabies.
The virus spreads to the saliva, tears, breast milk and urine.
The animal usually dies in 4 or 5 days.

Signs and Symptoms of Rabies in pets

Rabid animals usually stop eating and drinking, and may appear to want to be left alone.
After the initial onset of symptoms, the animal may become vicious or begin to show signs of paralysis.
Some rabid animals bite at the slightest provocation; while others may be somnolent and difficult to arouse.
Once the animal shows signs of paralysis, the disease progresses very quickly and the animal dies.

Prodromal Phase: First Symptoms of Rabies
The early symptoms of rabies tend to be subtle, last 2 to 3 days, and include the following:
★Change in tone of the dog's bark
★Chewing at the bite site
★Fever
★Loss of appetite
★Subtle changes in behavior

Furious Phase: "Mad Dog Syndrome"
The second phase of infection usually lasts 2 to 4 days and not all rabid animals experience it.

Animals that enter immediately into the final paralytic phase are sometimes said to have dumb or paralytic rabies. Animals that spend most of their diseased state in the furious phase are sometimes said to have furious rabies.
An infected dog may viciously attack any moving object, person, or animal;
a caged rabid dog will chew the wire, break their teeth, and try to bite a hand moving in front of the cage.
Rabid cats will attack suddenly, biting and scratching.
Foxes will invade yards and attack dogs, cows, and porcupines.

They may show the following signs:
★Craving to eat anything, including inedible objects
★Constant growling and barking
★Dilated pupils
★Disorientation
★Erratic behavior
★Episodes of aggression
★Facial expression showing anxiety and hyperalertness
★Irritability
★No fear of natural enemies (e.g., wild animals may not be afraid of people, rats will charge at cats, cats will charge at dogs etc)
★Restlessness
★Roaming
★Seizures
★Trembling and muscle incoordination

Paralytic Phase
The third and final phase of infection usually lasts for 2 to 4 days. 

Initial symptoms include the following:
★Appearance of choking
★Dropping of the lower jaw (in dogs)
★Inability to swallow, leading to drooling and foaming of saliva (i.e., "foaming at the mouth")
★Paralysis of jaw, throat, and chewing muscles
★Paralysis then spreads to other parts of the body, the animal becomes depressed, rapidly enters a coma and dies

Immunization...
For dogs and cats, immunization is usually done at around 3 months (cats) and 5 months (dogs) when the maternal antibodies will not render the vaccine ineffective. It is therefore very important to keep young pets protected from feral or wild animals until they are vaccinated.
The vaccination is usually done singly, unlike the DHPP/DHLP which is a 5-in-1 vaccine per dose.

Rabies will infect any mammal or warm-blooded animal that has not been immunized, and death is inevitable. 

Protect your pets and your family by making sure that the animals are immunized, and booster vaccines are administered regularly. 

source:
http://www.healthcommunities.com/rabies/symptoms.shtml
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies_vaccine
http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/rabies-dogs

Related articles:
※ Puppy Health: Canine Distemper
※ Puppy Health: Canine Parvovirus
※ The German Shepherd Dog
※ About Fibromyalgia: What on earth is FIBROMYALGIA?
※ Enzyme depletion and food storage; what we miss from seed to plate

****

Conditioning of the mind:

Garbage in - Garbage out...

※ “The Chinese symbol for the word “crisis” is written using two strokes of a pen. One stroke stands for danger, and the other for opportunity. In a crisis, beware of the danger, but also recognize the opportunity.” - John F Kennedy ※

                               

One day I was watching a clip on National Geographic Wild; a lioness had spotted a lone wildebeest calf and the lioness knew it was her lucky day!! A soft scrumptious snack to energize her to kill the larger buffaloes later. She stalked the poor calf, cornered it and moved in for the kill.
As with all content cats, she decided to play with her prey before killing it, then a miracle happened....

The poor calf, frightened, started to head-butt the lioness... then the lioness settled and started grooming the calf and pampering it...
The calf, in self defence, was accidentally sending an affectionate message to the lioness..one she gets from her cubs...head-butting!!!
All cats head-butt each other (and other animals) as a sign of affection. The harder and more frequent the head-butting and muzzling... the more love displayed!! As the calf was being groomed, he would instinctively  aggressively head-butt the lioness (being tiny, there was not much force to injure the lioness), but the only message she got was the same she would get from her cubs after a hard day of hunting ... "I love you Mommy!!"

After a while, the mother wildebeest approached the duo, and the lioness let the little calf go after a heavy dose of grooming and pampering!!! I was amazed!!

Two different languages ... one result: LIFE!!!

This brings my attention to all the violence going on in the world, and in our very own homes!! What is it that our children learn from us?
How can a child in the affected middle East know love after seeing his whole family massacred because of an ethnic divide .. then expect this child to peacefully abide with his neighbours?
How can a man expect his beloved daughter to conquer the  world because she has what it takes, yet she continuously witnesses her mother being belittled by the same father ... and then you expect her to settle and SUBMIT to another man? 

What if history repeats itself?
"Not in my life...", she will say (hence the generation of "strong-willed" women)

The nerds coined it well.. Garbage in - Garbage out!!

I am not yet a parent but I have been a child. I have struggled with the concept of "Do as I say, not as I do..", sadly from 90% of adults around me, from teachers, relatives, parents, "mentors" etc.
We are all familiar with that scolding phrase "Why can't you be like so and so..."
If they only knew "so and so's" true colours!!!

※ A mango tree with a low self esteem cannot produce plums... A mango tree on a bad day cannot change the principle that God put into it to produce after its kind. ※

God knew what kind of spirit to install when He made you.. and it is all for good and not evil. So, where is all this evil coming from?

Conditioning of the mind... The concept where something wrong is introduced to you subtly and for a long while, to the extent that the mind and spirit finds it acceptable.
If some things were introduced to us all at once (say, intolerance of other ethnicities), we would automatically reject it because it is NOT for the human spirit to hate without reason.

But what happens when we continuously make it clear that the "outsiders" are our enemies, even though we live with them and even study together? We tolerate them but subconsciously segregate them and the moment one of them does something silly, the discrimination comes out without much provocation. Sadly, this issue spans across all the human "divides" from religion, ethnicities, nationalities and even gender!!!

As much as we preach peace and sing how "We are one", what is it that our children are learning from us?
Because peace exists in all of us... ever wonder how nurseries and day care facilities have so much harmony despite the clutter?? There are no divides. 

If you have a problem with certain people, please keep that opinion away from the children... they don't need that nonsense in their lives; they have too much to learn and negativity is a waste of their precious intellect!!
We are one; please show it to our children!!

This is Serenity!!

Life is Beautiful!!!

Related articles:
※ Of relationship articles: Sow to reap...
※ Love and faith....
※ About Fibromyalgia: What on earth is FIBROMYALGIA?
※ The German Shepherd Dog
※ The power of Purpose!!
※ TRY - Song by COLBIE CAILLAT

***

TRY - Song by COLBIE CAILLAT

TRY...

Put your make-up on, Get your nails done, Curl your hair
Run the extra mile, Keep it slim so they like you, do they like you?

Get your sexy on, Don't be shy, girl....Take it off
This is what you want, to belong, so they like you
Do you like you?

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to, give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try

Get your shopping on, at the mall, max your credit cards
You don't have to choose, buy it all, so they like you
Do they like you?

Wait a second,
Why, should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself, do you like you?
Do you like you?

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to, give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
You don't have to try so hard,You don't have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try

You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to, give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing

You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try, try, try, try
You don't have to try
You don't have to try

Take your make-up off, Let your hair down
Take a breath, Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you? Cause I like you

This is Serenity!!

Related articles:
※ Of relationship articles: Sow to reap...
※ ONE STEP AT A TIME....
※ Love and faith....
※ TEST BOOSTERS - THESE ARE NOT PERFORMANCE STEROIDS
※ HEADACHES: migraines, cluster headaches and what they are about.

****

Puppy Health: Canine Distemper

What is it?

bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu

Canine distemper is a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. The disease affects dogs, and certain species of wildlife, such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, and skunks. The common house pet, the ferret, is also a carrier of this virus. It affects many areas of your dog's body and it is highly contagious. In approximately half of the cases, it is fatal.

The disease is highly contagious (via inhalation) and fatal 50% of the time, thus making it the leading cause of infectious disease death in dogs. The virus infects the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, the brain, and spinal cord. 

Young puppies, between 3 and 6 months of age, are most susceptible to the disease and are the most likely to die from it. However, non-immunized adult dogs are also highly susceptible to distemper. These older dogs often develop mild cases.

The virus that produces canine distemper belongs to the paramyxovirus group. Human measles virus is also a member of this group. 

Distemper virus is easy to kill with disinfectants, sunlight or heat.

Symptoms

Common symptoms can include:

1) High fever,

2) Watery discharge from the eyes and nose,

3) Vomiting and diarrhea,

4) Hardening of the footpads and nose,

5) Seizures (of any part of the body, but seizures that look as if the dog is chewing gum are unique to distemper),

6) Paralysis

medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com

Gastrointestinal and respiratory signs

Commonly observed signs are a runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, excessive salivation, coughing and/or labored breathing, loss of appetite, and weight loss. When and if the neurological signs develop, incontinence may ensue.

Dog infected with canine distemper: Note the purulent nasal discharge and hyperkeratotic nose.

Neurological signs

The signs within the central nervous system include a localized involuntary twitching of muscles or groups of muscles, seizures often distinguished by salivation, and jaw movements commonly described as "chewing gum fits", or more appropriately as "distemper myoclonus". As the condition progresses, the seizures worsen and advance to grand mal convulsions, followed by death of the animal. The animal may also show signs of sensitivity to light, incoordination, circling, increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as pain or touch, and deterioration of motor capabilities. Less commonly, it may lead to blindness and paralysis. The length of the systemic disease may be as short as 10 days, or the start of neurological signs may not come until several weeks or months later. Those few that survive usually have a small tic or twitch of varying levels of severity. With time, this tic will usually diminish somewhat in its severity.

Lasting signs

A dog that survives distemper will continue to have both nonlife-threatening and life-threatening signs throughout its lifespan. The most prevalent nonlife-threatening symptom is hard pad disease. This is when a dog experiences the thickening of the skin on the pads of its paws, as well as the end of its nose. Another lasting symptom commonly is enamel hypoplasia. Puppies, especially, will have damage to the enamel of teeth that are not completely formed or those that have not yet grown through the gums. This is a result of the virus killing the cells responsible for manufacturing the tooth enamel. These affected teeth tend to erode quickly.

Life-threatening signs usually include those due to the degeneration of the nervous system. Dogs that have been infected with distemper tend to suffer a progressive deterioration of mental abilities and motor skills. With time, the dog can acquire more severe seizures, paralysis, reduction in sight and incoordination.

These dogs are usually humanely euthanized, due to the immense pain and suffering they face.

www.smallanimalchannel.com

www.worldclassgsd.com

Progression..

Once these pets are infected, the virus is shed in all their body secretions

Puppies from three to six months old are particularly susceptible. CDV spreads through aerosol droplets and through contact with infected bodily fluids, including nasal and ocular secretions, feces, and urine, six to 22 days after exposure. It can also be spread by food and water contaminated with these fluids.The time between infection and disease is 14 to 18 days, although a fever can appear from three to six days after infection

The virus first appears in bronchial lymph nodes and tonsils two days after exposure. The virus then enters the blood stream on the second or third day.A first round of acute fever tends to begin around three to eight days after infection, which is often accompanied by a low white blood cell count, especially oflymphocytes, as well as low platelet count. These signs may or may not be accompanied by anorexia, a runny nose, and discharge from the eye. This first round of fever typically recedes rapidly within 96 hours, and then a second round of fever begins around the 11th or 12th day and lasts at least a week. Gastrointestinal and respiratory problems tend to follow, which may become complicated with secondary bacterial infections. Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, otherwise known as encephalomyelitis, is either associated with this, subsequently follows, or comes completely independent of these problems. A thickening of the footpads sometimes develops, and vesicularpustular lesions on the abdomen usually develop. Neurological signs typically are found in the animals with thickened footpads from the virus.About half of sufferers experience meningoencephalitis

Treatment

No antiviral drugs exist that effect canine distemper virus

Treatments are symptomatic and supportive, aimed at limiting secondary bacterial invasion, supporting fluid balance, and controlling neurologic manifestations. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, balanced electrolyte solutions, parenteral nutrition, antipyretics, analgesics, and anticonvulsants are used, and good nursing care is essential. No single treatment is specific or uniformly successful.

Immunization

Excellent vaccines are now available to protect dogs from canine distemper virus. These vaccines are manufactured from living, weakened (attenuated) virus that induce long-lasting immunity. Immunity lasts many years. 

Vaccinations must not be given too early to puppies. The shots must be given to puppies at a time when the level of circulating antibody that they received from their mothers is in decline or the vaccine’s effects are neutralized

Successful immunization of pups with canine distemper modified live virus vaccines depends on the lack of interference by maternal antibody. To overcome this barrier, pups are vaccinated with the vaccine when 6 wk old and at 3- to 4-wk intervals until 16 wk old. Alternatively, measles virus vaccine induces immunity to canine distemper virus in the presence of relatively greater levels of maternal distemper antibody. MLV (modified live vaccines) measles vaccine is administered to pups 6–7 wk old and is followed with at least two more doses of MLV distemper vaccine when 12–16 wk old.

This vaccine is usually administered through the 5-in-1 vaccine, or DHLP or DHPP vaccines, at around six to 10 weeks, depending on the environment and exposure to other animals.

More Reads....
※ Know your dog: German Shepherd Dog
※ Know your dog: The Golden Retriever

※Puppy Health: Canine Parvovirus

Puppy health: Rabies!!

* Mange in Dogs (Canine Scabies)

*****

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_distemper

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/respiratory/c_dg_canine_distemper

http://www.2ndchance.info/dogdistemper.htm