Which of the following combines general symptoms of distemper?

The combination of symptoms noted in option B accurately reflects the common manifestations of canine distemper. Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease that affects a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Loss of appetite and weight loss are particularly prevalent as the dog becomes less interested in food due to illness and potential gastrointestinal distress. Diarrhea is also a frequent symptom associated with distemper, resulting from the virus's impact on both the gut and overall digestive function.

The other options present symptoms that are not primarily associated with distemper. While symptoms like fever and coughing could be seen in many infectious diseases, they do not encapsulate the broad spectrum of symptoms specific to distemper. Joint pain and swelling might suggest other conditions, possibly related to different types of infections or issues, and dry skin or shedding may indicate skin conditions or allergies rather than distemper itself. Therefore, the symptoms highlighted in response B provide the clearest representation of the general symptoms associated with distemper, making it the correct choice.