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Also known as: '''''Canine Distemper — CDV'''''

|Also known as:

|'''Canine Distemper''' <BR> '''CDV'''

==Description==

==Description==

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 congested 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 unerupted tooth enamel 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.

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 congested 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 unerupted tooth enamel 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 infected dogs develop CNS signs after the initial 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 progress to white matter disease. In this, mutlifocal lesions mean that the signs are variable: cerebellovestibular signs are common, as well as paresis, ataxia and 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 suffer neuromuscular tics or "chewing gum" seizures for life.

Many infected dogs develop CNS signs after the initial 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 cortex, 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 progress to white matter disease. In this, multifocal lesions mean that the signs are variable: cerebellovestibular signs are common, as well as paresis, ataxia and myoclonus. Once white matter disease has developed, some dogs die with a non-inflammatory, demyelinating disease 4-5 weeks after initial systemic infection. Other animals may recover with minimal injury to the CNS but may suffer neuromuscular tics or "chewing gum" seizures for life.

Canine distemper is often fatal, but an increased production of virus-neutralising antibodies can promote the recovery of the animal. However, CDV can persist in the uvea, CNS, lymphoid organs and footpads despite elimination from most organs and the blood. This can result in "old dog encephalitis" in dogs that recovered from acute canine distemper years previously. In this, several neurological episodes occur over weeks to months, and usually culminate in the death of the dog.

Canine distemper is often fatal, but an increased production of virus-neutralising antibodies can promote the recovery of the animal. However, CDV can persist in the uvea, CNS, lymphoid organs and footpads despite elimination from most organs and the blood. This can result in "old dog encephalitis" in dogs that recovered from acute canine distemper years previously. In this, several neurological episodes occur over weeks to months, and usually culminate in the death of the dog.

Dogs suffering distemper should be treated in isolation with barrier nursing to prevent spread to other dogs. Treatment is supportive, including intravenous fluid therapy to correct the deficit cause by vomiting and diarrhoea and antiobitics to reduce secondary infections. Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide may be necessary to control seizures. Although corticosteroids may alleviate clinical signs in the short term, they should be used with caution as they augment the immunosuppression caused by CDV and may enhance viral dissemination. Animals should be rested and fed a diet appropriate to the severity of their gastrointestinal signs.

Dogs suffering distemper should be treated in isolation with barrier nursing to prevent spread to other dogs. Treatment is supportive, including intravenous fluid therapy to correct the deficit cause by vomiting and diarrhoea and antiobitics to reduce secondary infections. Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide may be necessary to control seizures. Although corticosteroids may alleviate clinical signs in the short term, they should be used with caution as they augment the immunosuppression caused by CDV and may enhance viral dissemination. Animals should be rested and fed a diet appropriate to the severity of their gastrointestinal signs.

Vaccination is key to controlling canine distemper. Modified live vaccines are available, and are considered a "core" vaccination for dogs. Puppies can receive their first vaccination between 6 and 8 weeks of age, and must be given at least two doses of CDV vaccine with the final does being adminstered after 12 weeks of age. This multiple dose regimen is necessary because the maternal antibody in puppies greatly hampers the efficacy of vaccination by neutralising viral antigen. Modified live vaccines should not be used in pregnant bitches, and may cause fatal disease in certain wildlife species. Therefore a killed vaccine is available for use in, for example, red pandas.

[[Vaccines|Vaccination]] is key to controlling canine distemper. Modified live vaccines are available, and are considered a "core" vaccination for dogs. Puppies can receive their first vaccination between 6 and 8 weeks of age, and must be given at least two doses of CDV vaccine with the final does being administered after 12 weeks of age. This multiple dose regimen is necessary because the maternal antibody in puppies greatly hampers the efficacy of vaccination by neutralising viral antigen. Modified live vaccines should not be used in pregnant bitches, and may cause fatal disease in certain wildlife species. Therefore a killed vaccine is available for use in, for example, red pandas.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

The prognosis for CDV infection is dependent on the strain of the virus and the host immune response, as infection may be subclinical, subacute or acute. Overall, the mortality rate is around 50%, with death occuring 2 weeks to 3 months post-infection. Animals that appear to recover from early systemic signs may go on to develop CNS involvement which can vary in severity. Euthanasia may be considered with the onset of neurological signs, and is indicated when seizuring is uncontrollable. Dogs that fully recover do not shed the virus.

The prognosis for CDV infection is dependent on the strain of the virus and the host immune response, as infection may be subclinical, subacute or acute. Overall, the mortality rate is around 50%, with death occuring 2 weeks to 3 months post-infection. Animals that appear to recover from early systemic signs may go on to develop CNS involvement which can vary in severity. Euthanasia may be considered with the onset of neurological signs, and is indicated when seizuring is uncontrollable. Dogs that fully recover do not shed the virus.

==Links==

==Links==

#Beineke, A, Puff, C, Seehusen, F, Baumgartner, W (2009) Pathogenesis and immunopathology of systemic and nervous canine distemper. ''Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology'', '''127''', 1-18.

#Beineke, A, Puff, C, Seehusen, F, Baumgartner, W (2009) Pathogenesis and immunopathology of systemic and nervous canine distemper. ''Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology'', '''127''', 1-18.

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