The disease affects dogs and certain species of wildlife such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, and skunks.
The common house pet, the ferret, is also a carrier of this virus. Canine distemper belongs to the Morbillivirus class of viruses, and is a relative of the measles virus, which affects humans, the rinderpest virus that affects cattle, and the phocine virus that causes seal distemper. All are members of the Paramyxoviridae family.
Young, unvaccinated puppies and non-immunised older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease.
Symptoms and types:
The virus, which is spread through the air and by direct or indirect (such as utensils or bedding) contact with an infected animal, initially attacks a dog’s tonsils and lymph nodes and replicates itself there for about one week. It then attacks the respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.
In the latter stages of the disease, the virus starts attacking the other systems of the dog’s body, particularly the nervous system. The brain and spinal cord are affected and the dog may start having fits, seizures, paralysis and attacks of hysteria.
Canine distemper is sometimes also called ‘hard pad disease’ because certain strains of the virus can cause an abnormal enlargement or thickening of the pads of an animal’s feet. In dogs or animals with weak immune systems, death may result two to five weeks after the initial infection.
Causes:
The disease can be acquired from inactive vaccines, though this occurs rather rarely. Bacterial infections of the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems may also increase an animal’s vulnerability to the disease. Non-immunised dogs that come into any kind of contact with an infected animal carry a particularly high risk of contracting the disease.
Treatment:
If your dog contracts distemper, supportive care is the only treatment available. This can include IV fluids, anti-seizure medications and medications to help control vomiting and diarrhoea. Antibiotics are also often used to treat secondary bacterial infections that may be present as well.
