05/07/2018
Canine Distemper
Also known as hard paw disease. It is a viral infection affecting dogs.
* Spread through direct contact with infected animals
* Through discharges of eye, saliva, urine and faeces
* Aerosol/droplet transmission - which means it is also air-borne
* Fomite - Clothes, utensils, hands, gloves
Early Symptoms
* Fever, loss of appetite, mild eye inflammation for the first few days
* Temperature increases (103 F to 106 F) - This will last for 3-6 days after the infection
* Eye discharge, depression, loss of appetite
After this, different symptoms show according to localization of the virus.
Most common symptoms
* conjunctivitis (eye discharge)
* Diarrhea (not so common)
* Fever
* Pneumonia (cough, labored breathing)
* Rhinitis (Running nose will turn into thick yellowish or greenish discharge depending on secondary bacterial infection)
* vomiting
* Skin infection, pustular (pus-filled) lesion over belly area nearer to hind limbs
* Skin scales like dandruff
Neurological signs can be seen along with above symptoms or after the above symptoms wane off.
Neurological signs depend on where the virus is localized in the brain.
* Cerebrum - seizures, convulsions, chewing-gum syndrome (chewing movement of lower jaw), behavioural change (trying to bite its own tail, circling), ataxia (difficulty in walking) and paralysis also noticed
* Meninges - shows increased sensitivity to any stimulus, cervical rigidity and pain
* Optic nerve - blindness
* Myoclonus - rhythmic involuntary twitching or jerking of muscles, seen commonly, especially in the temporal region (near the ears), called as temporal twitching
So to summarize, it starts with eye discharge, respiratory and skin issues, diarrhea and vomiting and can move on to neurological symptoms and finally death due to dehydration, pneumonia and/or toxaemia due to secondary bacterial infections.
Forms of disease
1. Mild sub-clinical form
* 75% of infection is mild
* Fever, anorexia - loss of apetite, vomiting --> Recovers within 2 to 3 days BUT they can be carriers for 2-3 months during which, they actively shed distemper virus
2. Acute stage
* Multi systemic symptoms - mentioned above
3. Per acute form
* Dog develops fever suddenly and dies
4. Chronic Distemper Encephalitis
* Also known as old dog encephalitis
* Marked by ataxia (irregular gait)
* Compulsive movement like continual pacing, head pressing on to walls etc.
* Seen in fully vaccinated adult dogs
* ODE is not infectious and will not spread
Cleaning of infected kennel or territory
0.5% formalin
0.75% Phenol
4% Sodium bicarbonate
Basically detergent-base floor cleaner/disinfectant kills the virus. Even drying and heating will kill the virus.
Prevention
* Vaccination
* Puppies who have had colostrum from vaccinated mother have protective immunity till 6 weeks of age. So, vaccination of the puppies after 6 weeks of age. Booster to be given every 2-4 weeks until atleast 16 weeks of age
* Annual booster in older dogs
Prognosis is usually grave with 20% chance of survival
• Recovering dogs can shed virus till respiratory, gastric, eye and skin related signs persist.
• Recovered dogs can shed virus up to 1 - 3 months, mostly 1 month after recovery. They need to be quarantined for at least 3 months to be safe.
• There is no known cure for distemper but it can be managed by treating the symptoms.
- compiled by Dr. Aswin Kanangot K
