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Summery :

1. How is distemper spread?
2. Which dogs are at risk for distemper?
3. What are the symptoms of distemper?
4. How is distemper diagnosed and treated?
5. How is distemper treated?
6. How is distemper prevented?
7. Bibliography

Distemper is a serious, contagious disease caused by the canine distemper virus ( CDV ) that attacks the dog’s respiratory , gastrointestinal , and nervous systems.

The virus can also be transmitted by wild animals, such as foxes and wolves. In the US it has also been found in coyotes, raccoons, skunks, minks and ferrets, while in Africa and Asia it has also been found in lions, tigers, leopards and other wild cats. Seals can also suffer from distemper.

1- How is distemper spread?

Dogs are most often infected through airborne exposure ( sneezing or coughing ) to the virus from an infected pet or wild animal. The virus can also be transmitted through sharing food bowls and utensils. Positive dogs can shed the virus for several months . In addition, infected mothers can pass the virus, through the placenta , to their puppies.

Since distemper also affects wild populations, contact between wild animals and domestic dogs can facilitate the spread of the virus. Therefore, distemper epidemics in wild populations (in Italy especially stray dogs, foxes and wolves) may signal an increased risk for companion dogs passing through the same area.

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2- Which dogs are at risk for distemper?

All dogs are at risk of distemper, but puppies under four months of age and dogs that have not been vaccinated against the specific virus are at greater risk of contracting the disease.

3- What are the symptoms of distemper?

Initially, dogs with distemper develop watery or purulent discharge from the eyes .

They subsequently experience fever , nasal discharge , cough , lethargy , reduced appetite and vomiting .

When the virus attacks the nervous system, infected dogs tend to tilt their heads abnormally, contract their muscles involuntarily, experience convulsions , with uncontrolled jaw movements and salivation , and partial or complete paralysis . The virus can also cause the pads of the feet to thicken and harden , hence the nickname ” hard pad disease .”

However, several veterinary febrile diseases correspond to some of the clinical signs of distemper and, only recently, it has been possible to distinguish it from: canine hepatitis , herpes virus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis .

In wildlife, distemper infection closely resembles rabies .

Distemper is often fatal and dogs that survive usually have permanent , irreparable damage to their nervous systems.

4- How is distemper diagnosed and treated?

Veterinarians diagnose distemper through a physical examination and laboratory tests .

The detection of the virus, by various methods, in the conjunctival cells or in the paw pads of the dog, provides a definitive diagnosis.

An additional test to confirm distemper is the analysis of the transitional epithelium of the bladder . Approximately 90% of the bladder cells will be positive in the early stages of distemper.

5- How is distemper treated?

It is important to emphasize that there is no cure .

Treatment typically consists of supportive dressings and prevention or management of secondary infections .

In addition, it is good to monitor typical symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea and neurological symptoms.

The primary acute complication of fasting , and the most serious if untreated, is dehydration associated with  electrolyte imbalances . Subcutaneous or intravenous fluid administration and parenteral nutrition are often necessary .

Some medications , such as analgesics , anticonvulsants , broad-spectrum antibiotics , and antipyretics , may be beneficial .

The mortality rate of CDV depends largely on the immune status of infected dogs. Puppies experience the highest mortality rate , where complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis are most common. In older dogs that develop distemper, encephalomyelitis and vestibular disease may be present.

Note : Approximately 15% of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system in dogs are caused by CDV.

Dogs infected with distemper should be separated from other dogs to minimize the risk of further infection.

6- How is distemper prevented?

Vaccination is essential in preventing distemper.

Puppies are given a series of vaccines that increase the likelihood of developing defenses when their immune systems are not yet fully mature .

Regularity of administration is essential to avoid nullifying the immunization process.

It is believed that by avoiding contact with wild animals , the risk of infection decreases considerably.

Especially in areas that are less “updated” in the veterinary field, or with less general attention, it is good to pay attention to socialization between specimens; not only in public parks, but also in training and walking areas.

Note: Domestic ferrets should also be vaccinated against distemper, using a specific vaccine approved by the USDA.

Depending on how serious the problem is, the therapeutic approach also changes.
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Bibliography

• “ICTV Taxonomy history: Canine morbillivirus”. International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Retrieved 15 January 2019.
• “canine distemper – Invasive Species Compendium – CABI”.
• Deem, Sharon L.; Spelman, Lucy H.; Yates, Rebecca A.; Montali, Richard J. (December 2000). “Canine Distemper in Terrestrial Carnivores: A Review” (PDF). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 31(4):441–451. doi:10.1638/1042-7260(2000)031[0441:CDITCA]2.0.CO;2. PMID 11428391. S2CID 12596794. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
• Andreas, Beineke; Baumgärtner, Wolfgang; Wohlsein, Peter (13 September 2015). “Cross-species transmission of canine distemper virus – an update”. OneHealth. 1:49–59. doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2015.09.002. PMC 5462633. PMID 28616465.
• “Animal Health” (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2017-10-30.