Biogal tips– Canine Distemper

Introduction:

Canine distemper (CDV) is a transmissible disease with varied degrees of morbidity and mortality.
CDV is caused by the RNA paramyxovirus.
Signs of CDV can vary greatly and frequently mimic other diseases.
Infection occurs naturally through airborne and droplet exposure.
Puppies who have not completed their core vaccination schedule, as well as non-immunized and immunocompromised older dogs are more susceptible to CDV infection.
Distemper is often fatal, and dogs who survive can suffer from severe, irreversible nerve system damage.

Did you know?

– The acute generalized form of distemper has a high death rate; disease duration and severity depend on the animal’s age, immune status, and the virulence of the infecting virus strain.

– CDV affects several body systems, including gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, spinal cord, and the brain.

– Differential diagnosis is complicated by the presentation of respiratory signs comparable to kennel cough or gastrointestinal signs that can be misdiagnosed as parvovirus, coronavirus, internal parasites or poisoning.

– CDV is shed in all secretions and excretions as early as 5 days post infection (before the onset of clinical signs). Shedding of virus can continue for up to 4 months, but usually resolves within 2 weeks. The virus can be transferred transplacentally to the fetuses.

– CDV infections can induce immunosuppression .

– CDV can infect the central nervous system producing an acute or chronic form of disease. A rare, progressive inflammatory disease of the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem, “Old dog encephalitis”, has been observed in fully vaccinated immunocompetent adult dogs without a history of systemic CDV and is thought to be associated to the persistence of CDV in nervous tissue.

– “Hard pad disease” (nasal or digital pad hyperkeratosis) is a dermatological feature related to Canine Distemper Disease.

Canine distemper

Should be considered in the diagnosis of any dogs exhibiting respiratory involvement, fever, bilateral serous and nasal ocular discharges and conjunctivitis.

Early warning signs

GI and respiratory signs prior to CNS signs.

Diagnostic challenge

Early diagnosis is difficult due to the broad spectrum of signs. Diagnosis should be based on history (vaccination and exposure) and clinical signs (respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological and dermatological). Confirmation of Canine Distemper should be made on the basis of
laboratory test results.

Serology

Biogal’s IgM and IgG in-house test kits are valuable tools for point-of-care analysis of the immune status of the patient. When employing all antibody test kits, the user must be aware that these tests may not differentiate between current infections, maternal antibodies and those generated from recent vaccination. IgM antibody testing provides a good indication of present disease in symptomatic patients if used in the time period after maternal antibodies have diminished, at completion of the core vaccination period and with unvaccinated dogs. Antibody testing is indicated as an additional method of diagnosing canine distemper and should be used in parallel with additional laboratory tests.