#AnimalAdvice: What you need to know about Canine Distemper Virus
Lately, in the news, we heard about a Distemper outbreak in Pretoria. Thereafter news followed about the disease in eMalahleni (Witbank), and more recently it reached Evander.
With this column we hope to inform animal lovers about different aspects of animal husbandry, although, at times we might just share a funny story.
This is the first delivery and we believe it will be helpful and interesting.
Lately in the news we heard about a Distemper outbreak in Pretoria. Thereafter news followed about the disease in eMalahleni (Witbank), and more recently it reached Evander. In Afrikaans it is referred to as ‘Hondesiekte.’
Dogs who are up to date with their normal vaccinations should be protected against the disease. An annual vaccination is necessary to keep the animal safe. The Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is responsible for this condition. It is highly contagious and often fatal.
It is related to the human measles virus but humans can only contract an asymptomatic infection from CDV. Humans vaccinated with the human measles virus is immune against the Distemper virus.
The only treatment available is supportive care. The animal’s immune response mostly determines the outcome. Unvaccinated puppies are most vulnerable.
Dogs are most likely to contract the disease through an infected dog’s saliva, blood or urine, and through the air when an infected dog sneezes or coughs near your dog.
Typical symptoms of a dog with the disease is initially cold-like symptoms. High fever combined with an ocular and nasal discharge, (often a thick green discharge). After a while these symptoms may start to clear up and one may think the animal is recovering only for the central nervous system to become involved.
The animal may fall over when trying to walk and show jerky movements of its limbs. Muscle twitching, seizures, convulsions and death may occur. Other symptoms are lethargy, anorexia, coughing, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Approximately 20 percent of puppies may survive and about 50 percent of adult dogs. Surviving dogs may be left with nerve damage and may show a continuous nerve twitch.
During the second stage of the disease animals may develop hyperkeratosis of the foot pads and nose which entails a thickening of the horny layer giving Distemper the nickname ‘hard pad disease’.
The virus cannot live without fresh secretions, therefore minimal disinfection is necessary, unlike with Parvovirus (so-called cat flu). The latter of which will be discussed at a later time.
May your pets be safe under your responsible care.
Best wishes.
Dr Louis Bosch
