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===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

Canine distemper is characterised by a biphasic fever, with the first peak 3-6 days post-infection and the second peak several days later and intermittently thereafter. The second peak of pyrexia is usually associated with the onset of other clinical signs. These initially include conjested conjunctiva and nasal mucosa leading to serous ocular and nasal discharges that become mucopurulent. The animal is depressed and anorexic, and vomiting, diarrhoea and pneumonia commonly follow. These gastrointestinal and respiratory signs are often complicated by secondary bacterial infections, as CDV is highly immunosuppressive. Lesions may occur on the retina and optic neuritis can develop. Some strains of CDV cause hyperkeratosis of the footpads and the nose, and retinal lesions and optic neuritis can occur. In neonates, hypoplasia of the tooth enamal is common following infection, causing "distemper rings". Pustular dermatitis may also be seen on the abdomen of infected puppies.  

Canine distemper is characterised by a biphasic fever, with the first peak 3-6 days post-infection and the second peak several days later and intermittently thereafter. The second peak of pyrexia is usually associated with the onset of other clinical signs. These initially include conjested conjunctiva and nasal mucosa leading to serous ocular and nasal discharges that become mucopurulent. The animal is depressed and anorexic, and vomiting, diarrhoea and pneumonia commonly follow. These gastrointestinal and respiratory signs are often complicated by secondary bacterial infections, as CDV is highly immunosuppressive. Lesions may occur on the retina and optic neuritis can develop. Some strains of CDV cause hyperkeratosis of the footpads and the nose, and retinal lesions and optic neuritis can occur. In neonates, hypoplasia of the tooth enamal is common following infection, causing "distemper rings". Pustular dermatitis may also be seen on the abdomen of infected puppies. In pregnant animals, transplacental infection can result in abortions, stillbirths, or the birth of persistent excretors of virus, depending on the stage of gestation.

Many, but not all, infected dogs develop CNS signs after systemic disease but this is dependent on the strain of the virus. Either the white matter or the grey matter may be affected. Grey matter disease affects the cerebral coretx, brainstem and spinal cord, and may give a non-suppurative meningitis, seizures, stupor, hysteria or ataxia. Dogs with grey matter disease may die within 2-3 weeks, recover, or alterntatively progress to white matter disease. In this, mutlifocal lesions mean that the signs are variable: cerebellovestibular signs are common, as well as spinal cord paresis, ataxia and occasionaly myoclonus. Once white matter disease has developed, some dogs die with a non-inflammatory, demyelinating disease 4-5 weeks after intial systemic infection. Other animals may recover with minimal injury to the CNS but may still suffer neuromuscular tics or "chewing gum" seizures.

Many, but not all, infected dogs develop CNS signs after systemic disease but this is dependent on the strain of the virus. Either the white matter or the grey matter may be affected. Grey matter disease affects the cerebral coretx, brainstem and spinal cord, and may give a non-suppurative meningitis, seizures, stupor, hysteria or ataxia. Dogs with grey matter disease may die within 2-3 weeks, recover, or alterntatively progress to white matter disease. In this, mutlifocal lesions mean that the signs are variable: cerebellovestibular signs are common, as well as spinal cord paresis, ataxia and occasionaly myoclonus. Once white matter disease has developed, some dogs die with a non-inflammatory, demyelinating disease 4-5 weeks after intial systemic infection. Other animals may recover with minimal injury to the CNS but may still suffer neuromuscular tics or "chewing gum" seizures.