Source: Judy, W. L. (1925). The dog encyclopedia: a complete reference work on dogs. Chicago, Illinois: Judy Publishing Company
Distemper, prior to the development of a vaccine, was the scourge of the kennel around the turn of the century as illustrated by this odd sketch (above). The situation was so desperate that dog owners frequently shared, and tried, bizarre “cures”, a sampling of which appears below.
Forest and Stream, June 24, 1886The Fanciers’ Journal, April 29, 1893The Dog Fancier, April 1903The Dog Fancier, May 1903The Dog Fancier, July 1903The Country-Side, February 27, 1909The Dog Fancier, September 1912
2 thoughts on “Vintage Weird Things: Distemper Edition”
The Boston Terrier dam pleading for her sick puppy is heartbreaking. I have experience with distemper as I pulled a pair of mixed breed puppies around 5 months old from a Houston area shelter the day they were set for euth. One was infected with distemper and showed neuro issues within days. She somehow pulled through and is still alive with minimal neuro issues a decade later. What a scourge that disease is without vaccines, which protected her kennel mate and my dogs at home.
Yes, although the treatments people resorted to pre-vaccine sound bizarre, it’s understandable how they arrived at the point where they were willing to try them.
The Boston Terrier dam pleading for her sick puppy is heartbreaking. I have experience with distemper as I pulled a pair of mixed breed puppies around 5 months old from a Houston area shelter the day they were set for euth. One was infected with distemper and showed neuro issues within days. She somehow pulled through and is still alive with minimal neuro issues a decade later. What a scourge that disease is without vaccines, which protected her kennel mate and my dogs at home.
Yes, although the treatments people resorted to pre-vaccine sound bizarre, it’s understandable how they arrived at the point where they were willing to try them.