Canine Distemper Virus
The canine distemper virus is a highly contagious viral disease of dogs and animals in several other families such as foxes, coyotes, wolfs, ferrets, skunks and raccoons. It can spread quickly among susceptible animals and causes signs involving the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic systems. It may also affect the eyes and teeth. It is a morbillivirus closely related to measles in humans.
The canine distemper virus is transmitted via contact with aerosol droplets from body excretions (mucus, fecal material, saliva, etc). The initial fever after infection is transient and usually not noticed. Dogs will then often begin coughing. This commonly progresses to anorexia, lethargy, dehydration and possibly vomiting and or diarrhea. These signs are typically made worse by secondary bacterial infections leading to pneumonia or other disease. Neurologic signs include seizures, incoordination, circling, inappropriate vocalization and blindness. These signs may occur with the other systemic signs or may present weeks or months after apparent recovery. There may also be changes in the eyes and problems with dental enamel development in young dogs.
Diagnosis is typically presumptive based on history and clinical signs. There are blood tests that can be used to determine infection but they have limitations. General lab work (blood chemistries and complete blood counts) is used to assess the general status of the patient and chest X-rays will help evaluate for secondary pneumonia.
Treatment is supportive care as there are no anti viral agents for canine distemper. This includes IV fluids to restore hydration, antibiotics to address the secondary bacterial infections common with distemper and supportive nutrition and other medications as indicated. The prognosis is typically guarded particularly if neurologic signs are noted though even in these cases patients may recover.
There are vaccinations readily available to induce immunity to canine distemper. These vaccines are typically given to puppies beginning at 6 weeks of age every 3 weeks until between 16-20 weeks and then yearly.