by Sassafras

Created on: May 27, 2008

The canine distemper virus is the leading cause of canine infectious disease deaths. The virus is widespread and very resistant to cold; most distemper cases are seen in the fall and winter. Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection is usually seen in unvaccinated dogs three to six months old and kills more puppies than adults. A highly contagious disease, it is made more lethal by severe secondary bacterial infection.

What is the course of the disease? CDV is unstable and is weakened by exposure to heat, detergents, and sunlight. The virus is harbored in the fluids or secretions from the respiratory system of an infected dog. The most common means of transmission is aerosol droplets. It is spread by direct contact with other dogs and possibly with contaminated objects. CDV is shed in the feces and urine of infected dogs, and probably through the mother's placenta to her puppies.

After it enters the upper respiratory tract, CDV spreads to the tonsils and lymph nodes, where it replicates. Then it enters the blood stream, where it is transported to the cells that line the surfaces of the body, including the intestinal and respiratory tract.

What are the symptoms of canine distemper? About half of infected dogs show little illness, but the rest develop severe disease. Each infected dog does not display every symptom, and the disease course with the individual. After initial infection there is a six- to fifteen-day incubation period with no symptoms. Then a high fever and malaise (depression) develop. The dog recovers from these symptoms and seems to be fine for up to a week. Eventually a clear nasal discharge develops which looks like an upper respiratory infection, followed by listlessness, fever, decreased appetite, and a greenish nasal discharge. Some dogs will recover if treated at this stage; others improve temporarily. Later symptoms can include cough, diarrhea, vomiting, a yellow nasal discharge, conjunctivitis with sticky lids, anorexia, smelly diarrhea, skin eruptions on the belly or between the hind legs, and development of thick skin on the nose and food pads called hard-pad. Because of diarrhea and vomiting, the animal may become dehydrated.

The virus may also spread to the nervous system, causing neurologic symptoms. Slobbering, head shaking, and chewing movements are followed by epileptic-like seizures. The dog may become aggressive, show confusion and lethargy, wander aimlessly, and even fall over and kick his feet. These are symptoms of encephalitis,

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