Introduction
Canine distemper is a type of highly contagious virus which affects dogs around the world. The virus is contracted by coming into contact with bodily fluids or through inhalation of aerial droplets that were in the air due to coughing and sneezing from an infected animal. Canine distemper can be fatal, especially to puppies, if it is not aggressively treated in a timely manner. A vaccine which prevents the disease is available and highly recommended for all dogs.
Symptoms of Distemper in Domesticated Dogs
Canine distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that primarily affects young animals 3 to 6 months of age. Typical signs of distemper in domestic dogs include a fluctuating fever accompanied by nasal and ocular discharge, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, inappetance, lethargy and hyperkeratosis of the nasal planum and foot pads. Depending on the dog’s level of immune system development, central nervous system signs may follow the systemic illness.
Symptoms of Distemper in Wild Animals
The canine distemper virus can infect wild animals as well and has been reported in coyotes, foxes, ferrets, skunks, raccoons, lions and other wild cats. Wild carnivores seem to develop abnormal neurological and behavioral signs more frequently than do infected domestic dogs; in some cases, affected animals become aggressive, disoriented and have an apparent lack of fear, suggestive of rabies. Other common neurological signs are convulsive movements of the head and paws and aimless wandering. The animal may develop a purulent conjunctivitis and nasal discharge, and their eyelids may be adhered together with crusty exudate. They may have diarrhea, labored breathing and an overall unkempt appearance, and they often become severely dehydrated. Weakness and emaciation have been associated with end-stage cases of distemper in wildlife.
Pathology of Canine Distemper
Once an animal is exposed to the canine distemper virus (usually by inhalation of respiratory secretions or direct contact with infected urine or fecal matter), the virus replicates in cells lining the respiratory tract. Eventually, virus-infected cells spread throughout the body, especially to the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissue. Cells of the skin, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts and central nervous system can become infected as well. Neurological signs begin at the earliest 1 to 2 weeks after resolution of the respiratory signs.