Prevention
The key to prevention is to vaccinate puppies properly when they are between six and 16 weeks old. Keep puppies that have not had all their vaccinations away from unvaccinated and wild animals. The use of appropriate disinfectants such as quaternary ammonium disinfectants is effective in killing the canine distemper virus in kennels, hospitals, or other potentially infected areas; sanitation is very important in preventing the spread of any infectious disease. The owner should consult with a veterinarian about the best vaccination schedule for an individual dog.