oCANINE & FELINE CANINE & FELINE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT o55THTH PERIOD PERIOD

oDR. BRAHMBHATTDR. BRAHMBHATToJULY 15, 2011JULY 15, 2011

oCAMEO BUACAMEO BUAoKAITIE JOHNSONKAITIE JOHNSON

Canine Distemper Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)Virus (CDV)

Canine Distemper VirusCanine Distemper Virus-caninedistemper.org-caninedistemper.org

Etiology

CDV is a highly contagious viral infection caused by an enveloped, single stranded RNA virus, of the family Paramyxoviridae, which is closely related to the measles and rinderpest.

Paramyxovirus: a genus of viruses that cause respiratory infections in a variety of vertebrate hosts.

o Included: Mumps and Para influenza viruses.The virus initially replicates in the lymphatic

tissue of the respiratory tract, followed by infection of GI, urogenital, CNS, and optic nerves. Disease follows in these affected tissues. (1)

Disease History

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1700   1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

1740-FrenchReport1st Case.

1974-Northern CanadianWolves Diseased

1950-Vaccine Created

1985-FirstCaptivizedFerrets Died ofDisease

1905-First Reported Case

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) 1700-1990

1770-RussiansReportCase.

1760-EnglishReport Case.

(2)

Disease History (2)

1740: The French first reported animals found with distemper, soon after the discovery of America.

1760: Cases reported in England.1770: Cases reported in Russia.1905: First reported incidence in America.1950: Vaccine for canine distemper created.1974: Serological discovery of CDV in northern

Canada wolves. Serological: the science that deals with serums, particularly blood serum.

1985: 6 ferrets were brought into captivity, and soon after all died as a result of CDV. Another 6, later brought in, were vaccinated, quarantined, and determined to be free of disease.

Signalment

Canine distemper virus infects dogs & other mammals, including ferrets, raccoons, skunks, & foxes. (7)

Dogs of all ages are at risk of infection if not previously immunized, although infection is most common in puppies under 16 weeks of age and older dogs.

Domestic cats are not at risk of catching the disease, but large felids, such as lions, can catch the virus. (3)

Transmission

A healthy animal may contract canine distemper from direct contact with or aerosol droplets from an infected animal or its’ bodily secretions/waste. (7)

It can survive outside of the body for up to 3 hours at room temperature, and for as little as 30 minutes in 60˚F weather.

It can survive for years if kept frozen and out of light.

CDV has not been shown to pose a risk to humans. (4)

Clinical Signs (4)

Respiratory Nasal & Ocular Discharge Coughing Dyspnea Pneumonia

Gastrointestinal (GI) Anorexia Vomiting “Distemper Teeth” Diarrhea (May be bloody)

Dermatological Abdominal Pustules Nasal & Digital

Hyperkaratosis

Ocular Anterior Uveitis

(Inflammation of the front chamber of the eye; may cause the cornea to appear cloudy and/or cause changes in the appearance of the virus.)

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

Optic Neuritis Retinal Degeneration

Neurological “Chewing Gum”

Seizures Weakness or Paralysis Loss of Balance Muscle Twitching Hypersensitivity Neck Pain Behavioral Changes

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs vary, depending on the virus strain, environmental conditions, and hosts’ age & immune status. (5)

Symptoms of the disease are similar to that of a rabid animal, and are mostly the same in all susceptible species.(7)

Other clinical signs include: Diphasic fever

Diphasic: having two phases. Lethargy Ataxia

Ataxia: loss of coordination of the muscles, especially of the extremities.

Clinical Signs

• Distemper Teeth-the pitted, discolored teeth that may

resultwhen young dogs are infected with

distempervirus prior to the eruption of their

permanentteeth.

• Nasal & Digital Hyperkeratosis

• -often found in dogs with neurological manifestations.(1)

Diagnostic Tests – Expected Results

1. IFA for viral antigen or inclusion bodies in cells from conjunctival scrape, urine sediment, buffy coat.

2. PCR of nasal or ocular discharge.

3. Serum lgM or rising serum lgG.

4. CSF antibody detection.

5. IDEXX RealPCR™

1. Fair to Poor

2. Good to Fair, Possible False Positives.

3. Good, Possible False Positives.

4. Good to Poor (3)

5. >90% Sensitivity & Specificity (6)

Recommended Treatment (3)

No specific treatment for distemper has been proven effective.

“Treatment” consists of supportive care, and may include: fluid support; nutritional support & anti-emetic therapy for

vomiting & prolonged anorexia; nebulization & coupage for pneumonia; antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection.

Vitamin B supplementation has been recommended & vitamin A supplementation may be helpful early in the course of the illness.

Seizures may need to be controlled with anti-seizuremedication.

Prognosis (1)

Prognosis depends on the strain of CDV and the dog’s immune response. Dogs may recover completely with good nursing care, but despite intensive care, some dogs do not make a satisfactory recovery.

Unfortunately, treatment for acute neurological manifestations of distemper is unsuccessful. If neurologic signs are progressive or severe the owner should be appropriately advised, warned that neurological signs can develop weeks to years after infection, and the prognosis for dogs with worsening neurological signs is poor.

Even if the dog survives, neurological damage is often permanent.

Once a dog has fully recovered, it no longer sheds the virus & is not contagious.

Pathologic Lesions of Disease

A.Lung lesion in an African Wild Dog B.Viral inclusion bodies

(darker spots in the clear shapes)

(longer arrows are touching them)

• Inclusion bodies are actual clumps of the virus, that are visible under the microscope, within infected cells.(4)

Prevention

The only prevention is following a good vaccine program, and keeping the pet up-to-date on all vaccines.

An effective CD vaccination has been available since the 1950’s. The canine distemper MLV (modified live virus) vaccine is the basic immunization for dogs. It is generally combined with vaccines for canine parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus-2, leptospirosis, & sometimes coronavirus.

Puppies are vaccinated beginning at 6 to 8 weeks old, and then every 2 to 4 weeks thereafter until they are 16 weeks old. The next vaccine is given one year later, and vaccination boosters are given every 1 to 3 years after that based on your veterinarians recommendation.(4)

Client Education

Inform the client that a good vaccination program is the only prevention for all dogs.

If neurologic signs are present, the prognosis is uncertain – and usually limited.

The most common cause of seizures in puppies younger than 6 months is CDV.

After the actual infection, neurologic signs may appear within weeks to years, and last even after/if the disease is survived.(8)

References

1. "Canine Distemper: Introduction." The Merck Veterinary Manual. Web. 14 July 2011. <http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/56700.htm>.

2. "Canine Distemper Timeline." Google - Timeline. Web. <http://www.google.com/#q=canine+distemper+timeline&hl=en&sa=X&tbs=tl:1,tll:1800,tlh:1999&prmd=ivns&ei=-nEfTtPYGOXx0gHK6I3cAw&ved=0CDMQyQEoCg&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=b55e422e14032f58&biw=1920&bih=1007>.

3. "Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) | UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program." The UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program | UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Web. 14 July 2011. <http://www.sheltermedicine.com/shelter-health-portal/information-sheets/canine-distemper-virus-cdv>.

4. "Distemper - The Pet Health Care Library." 01 VeterinaryPartner Home Page - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN Company! Web. 14 July 2011. <http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=PRINT>.

References, (cont.)

5. Nelson, Richard W., and C. Guillermo. Couto. "Canine Distemper Virus: Chapter 71, Part IX." Small Animal Internal Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier, 2009. 1015-016. Print.

6. New: IDEXX RealPCR (CRD) Panel from IDEXX Reference Laboratories. IDEXX Laboratories, Oct. 2007. Web. 06 July 2011. <http://www.idexx.com/pubwebresources/pdf/en_us/smallanimal/reference-laboratories/diagnostic-updates/realpcr-canine-distemper-virus-test.pdf>.

7. "Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Canine Distemper." Web. 14 July 2011. <http://www.tn.gov/twra/distemper.html>.

8. Summers, Alleice. "Canine Distemper: Chapter 9, Section 1." Common Diseases of Companion Animals. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, 2007. 238-39. Print.