INTRODUCTION

Have you heard of canine distemper? This disease, caused by the distemper virus, is also known as canine distemper or Carré's disease. It usually affects puppies or unvaccinated dogs because their immune systems are weakened.

WHAT IS CANINE DISTEMPER?

Distemper, also known as distemper1 or Carré's disease, is an infectious disease of viral origin, which affects animals of the families Canidae, Mustelidae, Mephitidae, Hyaenidae, Ailuridae, Procyonidae, Pinnipedia, some Viverridae and Felidae (although not domestic cats, which suffer from other diseases, such as rhinotracheitis or calicivirosis, with respiratory symptoms). Of these, the most important, because of their relationship with humans, are the dog, ferret and mink.

The virus is a single-stranded negative polarity RNA type belonging to the genus Morbillivirus of the paramyxovirus family and therefore a very close relative of measles.567 Despite a vaccine against the virus, the disease is still very common in many regions of the world.

SYMPTOMS OF CANINE DISTEMPER

The symptoms of canine distemper can be varied and different depending on the degree of involvement and the clinical picture of the animal. In addition, not all canine distemper viruses are equally virulent, as there is more than one active strain.

In most cases where the dog's immune system is severely weakened by canine allergies or other diseases, distemper in dogs can cause severe consequences and symptoms after about two weeks:

• High fever and general malaise
• gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration
• respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, tonsillitis and pneumonia
• Central nervous disturbances such as cramps, blindness and muscle tremor
• Eye problems
• Excessive skin formation on nose and pads
• Dental problems
• More serious and irreversible consequences such as death.
  
  

HOW TO PREVENT CANINE DISTEMPER

The best way to prevent distemper in dogs is through vaccination. To do this, the appropriate vaccination schedule should be discussed with the veterinary team, taking into account aspects such as the prevalence rate in the area.

Canine distemper virus tends to be more aggressive when it affects puppies with an immature immune system because they have not been vaccinated. If unvaccinated, an adult dog may also be defenceless against the virus.

In addition to sometimes being a difficult disease to diagnose by symptoms, some laboratory interpretations show that distemper virus can also occur in dogs that have already been vaccinated. Conversely, there is also the possibility of a ‘false positive’ when the animal tests positive for canine distemper, but this is not the case. For this reason, it is essential to visit the vet regularly so that all the necessary tests can be carried out.

CONCLUSION

All susceptible animals should receive two or more doses of a distemper vaccine, or combination, during their developmental stage, between six or seven weeks of age until three or four months of age, and then be revaccinated annually throughout their lives. There are several types of them on the market for domestic dogs and ferrets, which in some jurisdictions are mandatory for pets.

Affected animals should, if possible, be quarantined, isolated from other individuals of their species for as long as the virus spreads.

The virus is destroyed in the environment by routine cleaning with disinfectants, detergents or drying. Although it does not survive in the environment for more than a few hours at average temperature (20-25 °C), it can survive for several weeks at temperatures slightly above freezing.