Canine distemper virus is a devastating and highly fatal disease,
which is easily preventable by vaccination. Its mortality rate
in dogs is second only to rabies. Canine distemper is caused
by a Morbillivirus, closely related to the virus causing measles
in humans. It is most commonly seen in puppies 3 to 6 months
old and in young un-vaccinated dogs. Puppies can be infected
in-utero when the virus crosses the placental barrier between
the mother and fetuses. This often causes abortion or a still-birth.
If the puppies survive, they may show signs of central nervous
system damage such as tremors, wobbliness, and seizures, which
may worsen as the puppy ages.
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The distemper virus is very contagious. It is
passed from dog to dog through close contact from secretions such
as urine, feces, saliva, respiratory and occular discharge. For
example, the infected dog sneezes, spreading the virus to other
dogs. The virus establishes itself in the nasal passages of the
new dog. It then multiplies and spreads throughout the body, damaging
cells from the eyes, lungs, and intestinal tract. It also damages
the dog’s immune system and can spread to the nervous system
causing further damage.
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Symptoms of distemper virus include:
anorexia, fever, discharge from the nose and eyes, pneumonia, vomiting
and diarrhea. It can also infect the paw pads causing a hard scaley
thickening. Damage to the brain and spinal cord causes neurologic
signs. This happens in approximately 50% of infected dogs 2-3 weeks
after infection. Often, these dogs are responding well to treatment
when the symptoms develop. This causes seizures, both epileptic and
isolated to the head. It also causes weakness, paralysis, loss of
coordination, and involuntary twitching of the legs. Most dogs developing
neurologic symptoms are either euthanized or die from the virus. Click
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