2. Canine distemper is a highly contagious,
systemic, viral disease of carnivores.
characterized by:
diphasic fever, leukopenia, GI and respiratory
catarrh, and frequently pneumonic and
neurologic complications.
with accompanying bacterial infection and
eventual serious neurological symptoms.
Despite extensive vaccination in many regions,
it remains a major disease of dogs.
3. The disease is seen in Canidae (dog, fox, wolf, raccoon
dog), Mustelidae ( ferret, mink, skunk, wolverine,
marten, badger, otter), most Procyonidae (raccoon,
coatimundi), some Viveridae (binturong, palm civet),
Ailuridae (red panda), Ursidae (bear), Elephantidae
(Asian elephant), primates (Japanese monkey), and large
Felidae.
Which Dogs Are Prone to Canine Distemper?
Serious infections are most often seen in puppies or
adolescent dogs. Puppies younger than seven weeks, born
to mothers who haven’t been vaccinated against the virus,
are extremely susceptible.
4. Distemper is caused by a single-stranded RNA
virus of the family paramyxovirus.
The fragile, enveloped, single-strand RNA virus is
sensitive to lipid solvents, such as ether, and most
disinfectants, including phenols and quaternary
ammonium compounds. It is relatively unstable
outside the host.
5. The main route of infection is via aerosol droplet
secretions from infected animals.
The virus is passed from dog to dog through direct
contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva. Sneezing,
coughing and sharing food and water bowls are all
possible ways for the virus to be passed on. The virus
can also be transmitted by shared food and water
bowls and equipment.
7. Gastrointestinal signs
vomiting and diarrhoea, dehydration, excessive salivation, loss of
appetite, and weight loss. When and if the neurological signs develop,
incontinence may ensue.
Respiratory signs
Runny nose, coughing and/or labored breathing, pharynigitis,
bronchitis are seen
Neurological signs
localized involuntary twitching of muscles or groups of muscles
seizures often distinguished by salivation
sensitivity to light
incoordination, circling, increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such
as pain or touch, and deterioration of motor capabilities.
Less commonly, they may lead to blindness and paralysis.
8. Ocular signs
Swollen eye lids
congestion of conjunctival mucosa
purulent discharge from eye (pus may lead to ulceration of the
cornea).
Lasting signs
A dog that survives distemper will continue to have both nonlife-
threatening and life-threatening signs throughout its lifespan.
The most prevalent nonlife-threatening symptom is hard pad
disease. This occurs when a dog experiences the thickening of the
skin on the pads of its paws as well as on the end of its nose due to
hyperkeratitis. Another lasting symptom commonly is enamel
hypoplasia. Puppies, especially, will have damage to the enamel of
teeth.
9. • Thymic atrophy is a consistent postmortem finding
• Hyperkeratosis of the nose and footpads
• bronchopneumonia, enteritis, and skin pustules also
may be present.
• necrosis of lymphatic tissues
• interstitial pneumonia
• cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies in
respiratory, urinary, and GI epithelium.
• neuronal degeneration, gliosis, non-inflammatory
demyelination, perivascular cuffing, nonsuppurative
leptomeningitis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies
predominately within glial cells.
10. Diagnosis is based on following observations and laboratory test:
History of immunization against CD
Characteristic clinical signs
Pathological lesions ( Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the
epithelial cells of the respiratory system, intestine, kidney, urinary
bladder and renal pelvis.)
Animal inoculation (Dogs or ferrets)
Flourescent Antibody Technique
Isolation of the virus ( From nasal or conjunctival swabs or CSF)
Serum neutralization test
Immunofluorescent assay or reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR
11. Distemper is sometimes confused with other
systemic infections such as:
leptospirosis
infectious canine hepatitis
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Intoxicants such as lead or organophosphates can
cause simultaneous GI and neurologic signs.
12. Since no antiviral drugs against CD are available, treatments are symptomatic and
supportive:
Broad-spectrum antibiotics, balanced electrolyte solutions, parenteral nutrition,
antipyretics, analgesics, and anticonvulsants are used, and good nursing care is
essential.
Anticanine distemper serum 1-5 ml per kg bw I/V, I/M or S/C can be administered as
quickly as possible to the patient
Respiratory complications can be combatted by antibiotics, expectorants,
bronchodilators and mucinolytics.
Anticonvulsants and sedatives against neurological derangements.
For restoration of vitality , water soluble B-vitamins, protein hydrosylate and Vit.C are
to be given.
13. 1) Infected animals should be quarantined from other
dogs
2) widespread vaccination of domestic dogs is essential.
Tissue culture vaccine
Distemper and canine hepatitis vaccine
Combined vaccine against distemper, hepatitis and
rabies
Combined vaccine against distemper, hepatitis and
leptospirosis
Measles virus vaccine
14. Chakrabarti, A. 2011. A Text book of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
Kalyani Publishers, India. Fourth Edition.pp 232-238
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/canine-distemper
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/generalized_conditions/canine_
distemper/overview_of_canine_distemper.html
https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Canine-Distemper.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_distemper
