134 CANINE DISTEMPER 
which may drag on for several weeks or even two or three 
months. It is regarded, I think pretty generally, that 
not only a lengthy course but also a fatal termination 
may be ascribed entirely to the secondary infections. 
Thus, the nature of these infections and the virulence 
and dose of their causal organisms will materially affect 
the length of time during which an animal may remain ill. 
Where nervous symptoms are evinced, these may 
remain long after all other traces of distemper have 
entirely disappeared ; in fact, paralysis and chorea some- 
times persist during the remainder of the dog’s lifetime. 
In cases which are complicated with a severe attack of 
pneumonia, one would not expect to find complete resolu- 
tion in less than five or six weeks, which period may 
frequently be extended into three months. 
PROGNOSIS. 
One can never be too guarded in forecasting the 
probable termination of an attack of such a treacherous 
disease as distemper, for however benign the attack may 
appear to be there is always a possibility of the sudden 
appearance of very severe complications, which may 
carry off the patient at short notice. 
Generally the prognosis is unfavourable, owing to the 
high mortality, and optimism as to the result should 
never be indulged in. Cases complicated with catarrhal 
pneumonia or nervous symptoms must always be re- 
garded very seriously, and the dangers are increased as 
the intensity of these symptoms is accentuated. 
Prognosis is usually more hopeful when the animal 
attacked is fairly mature—say six to twelve months of 
age—a mongrel, or one of the hardier breeds used to 
taking plenty of exercise, such as the Irish or fox-terrier, 
Sealyham, Airedale, etc. Delicate breeds and very young 
