Gina Roemer, age 9, of Tenton, Tex., for her question:

CAN DISTEMPER IN A DOG BE PREVENTED?

Distemper is a common contagious disease of young dogs. It usually starts with a loss of appetite, chill, fever, reddening of the eyes and dry muzzle.

Later there may be infections in the lungs, intestines  or nervous system.

Distemper can be prevented by vaccination with specially prepared vaccines. It can also be treated by giving the dog antiserum and other drugs. The dog should be under the care of a veterinarian.

Dogs that have recovered from one attack of distemper are immune to later attacks. Distemper is caused by a virus discovered by Louis Carre of France in 1904.

Distemper of young horses is called strangles. It is caused by streptococcus equi bacteria and differs from distemper in dogs. The horse suffers from a sore throat, fever and infection in the lymph glands. Strangles can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin.

Cats can contact distemper, different from that of dogs.