What Is Late-Stage Distemper Like?

The distemper virus affects a dog’s digestive, respiratory, nervous, and immune systems; late-stage signs are mainly central nervous symptoms such as twitching, headache, blindness, ataxia, and behavior changes.

There may also be respiratory signs like coughing, wheezing, and rapid or difficult breathing, plus digestive signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. Because the virus weakens immunity, the dog easily catches other pathogens, which can be fatal in severe cases.