Medical Related
Should your puppy appear to be ill please do not attend puppy class!
Ensure that you vaccinate your pup on the due date for next set of vacs
Ensure that you vaccinate your pup on the due date for next set of vacs
Your Vet
Vaccinations
Parvo - Canine Parvovirus - By Dr’s Mac Williams, Moore and Romberg
Parvo - Understanding Parvo by Bayer
Canine Distemper
Parasite Control
Vaccinations
Parvo - Canine Parvovirus - By Dr’s Mac Williams, Moore and Romberg
Parvo - Understanding Parvo by Bayer
Canine Distemper
Parasite Control
1. YOUR VET
Your vet will be a source of information, knowledge, practical advice and support. There are a couple of pointers to remember when dealing with your vet in order to ensure that you both derive maximum benefit:
When possible try to avoid the “rush hours”. Most clinics are incredibly busy from 16h30 to closing time and your vet may not be in a position to give you the extra 15 minutes of his time that he or she would like to.
In a non-emergency phone ahead and see if the clinic is busy before going through.
In an emergency phone the clinic and let them know you are coming through and give a description of the problem so that they can start preparing the relevant treatment. Ensure that you have an after-hours contact number as well.
When describing or treating your dog’s condition it may help your vet if you keep a written record.
If in doubt – seek a second opinion! You are entitled to this right and most vets will have no problem with this.
Adhere to your vet’s advice and recommended treatment.
2. VACCINATIONS
With the excellent vaccines available today, there is no excuse for not having your pet vaccinated. The most common dog diseases vaccinated against are: rabies, parvovirus and distemper. In addition to these diseases your dog also runs the risk of canine leptospirosis and canine adenovirus (hepatitis) if they are not vaccinated.
All of these diseases can be fatal, with very young, elderly or fragile dogs being most at risk. These diseases are horrific and no pet should run the risk of contracting them due to their owner's negligence or ignorance. Another common disease is kennel cough, which can be caused by a multitude of viruses. Until recently there was no vaccine available, but there is now a vaccine, which should be given to dogs in high risk cases i.e. being in close proximity to many dogs in either a kennel or show scenario. Kennel cough is not usually fatal, but again young puppies and elderly dogs can fall prey to this ailment.
Your puppy should be vaccinated at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and thereafter on an annual basis. The reason for the numerous puppy vaccinations is that the maternal anti-bodies interfere with the vaccine and therefore the puppy needs more than one vaccine before they are safely protected. This is merely a guideline, as your vet is best suited to advise which vaccines to give your pet and at which intervals.
Until two weeks after your puppy’s last vaccination you should exercise caution with regard to taking him on outings. The obvious exception to this rule is properly run puppy classes where sick or unvaccinated dogs are denied access to the training grounds
3, CANINE PARVOVIRUS - By Dr’s Mac Williams, Moore and Romberg
(A dog can contract Parvo throughout it's life - this is not just something that can happen when a pup. When a dog has been fully vaccinated against this disease, then if Parvo is contracted the disease will not be as severe. To protect your pup against Parvo, do not expose it to other pups/dogs that have not been vaccinated and do not walk your pup in public places where your dog will have access to other dog's faeces, until your pup has received all 3 of the basic vaccinations)
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) infection appeared suddenly in the United States of America in august 1978 and within one year had become widespread throughout the world. The devastating effects and worldwide spread of CPV infection have been the subject of grave concern for pet owners, dog breeder and Veterinarians alike and have motivated an intense research effort to investigate all aspects of the disease.
The disease is caused by one of the smallest known viruses which is closely related the virus responsible for infectious feline panleukopaenia (‘cat flu’ or ‘cat distemper’).
The signs of CPV infection usually include fever, depression, and loss of appetite which are followed by extremely profuse diarrhoea, often accompanied by vomiting. The stool is liquid, may contain blood and has a foul odour. Because the white blood cell count may be lower than normal, the patients resistance is reduced, which exposes it to other infections.
Another form of CPV infection may occur in puppies younger than twelve weeks of age. This form of the disease causes an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and usually results in sudden death. The affected puppies may breathe with difficulty, cry intermittently and may develop diarrhoea.
Some dogs show no outward signs of the disease or may develop very mild symptoms. All infected dogs shed a great deal of virus in their stools which spreads the disease to susceptible dogs.
When puppies begin to nurse they may receive temporary protection against a number of diseases, including CPV. If the mother has been successfully vaccinated against CPV or has recovered from an earlier CPV infection, she will have produced protective CPV antibodies. These antibodies are passed to the puppies in their first milk. Because the amount of maternal antibodies received in this manner may vary widely, the puppies may be protected against CPV infection for a period of several weeks to several months.
The rapid spread of CPV infection and the widespread use of CPV vaccines has ensured that an increasing number of bitches are immune to the disease and thus their puppies receive maternal antibodies against CPV which are protective against the highly fatal myocarditis form of the disease.
However, the maternal antibodies, which are protective to the puppies, may interfere with the effectiveness of a vaccine. The antibodies neutralize the vaccine virus as though it were the natural CPV virus, thus preventing successful immunization. Therefore, it is important to vaccinate as soon as a puppy becomes susceptible to CPV infection, but late enough to avoid interference by the maternal antibodies.
Since puppies receive varying amounts of maternal antibodies, it is clinically impossible to determine the optimum time for vaccination. Thus for the best protection, several doses of vaccine may be required with the last dose of the vaccine given after the puppy is five months of age.
Treatment of CPV disease requires careful veterinary supervision and may be both time consuming and costly. Therapy often includes intravenous feeding, medication to control the diarrhoea and vomiting, administration of antibiotics and blood transfusions. Treatment is limited to controlling the symptoms of the disease and does not kill the virus. Since infection ranges from mild to severe even within an affected litter, the success of treatment varies too, despite intensive nursing.
Because CPV is extremely resistant the disease is easily spread and is difficult to control. Thus it is important to isolate infected dogs although even an apparently healthy dog may be spreading the virus because of a mild or inapparent infection. Contaminated areas should be disinfected using one part of hypochloride (bleach) diluted in thirty parts water or commercial chlorine disinfectants available from your veterinarian.
When CPV first appeared no specific vaccine was available to control the spread of the disease. As a result, CPV infection rapidly assumed epidemic proportions throughout the world. Because the canine parvovirus is very similar to the feline panleukopaenia virus (FPV) veterinarians first relied on FPV (‘cat flu’) vaccines as a form of protection, which was not entirely satisfactory. Subsequently, specific vaccines against CPV have been manufactured which afford superior protection although vaccine failures may occasionally occur.
It is now recommended that your puppy be vaccinated as soon as it becomes susceptible to CPV infection and that at least one booster vaccination is given after twenty weeks of age. Ideally, your puppy should receive the first CPV vaccine between 6 and 10 weeks of age, and a booster vaccine should be administered monthly until 5 months of age. Pregnant bitches should receive a booster killed virus vaccine two weeks prior to whelping to provide maximal protection to puppies. It is advisable only to purchase puppies that have proof of vaccination, and from a mother who has been vaccinated.
Dogs that survive a natural infection of CPV usually develop sufficient immunity to protect themselves against reinfection for several years. However, because there are many cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, even dogs having suspected CPV should be protected by vaccination when in good health.
This article is copyrighted and remains the property of the author. Individuals are welcome to print or copy same for their own use in furthering their knowledge of dogs. However, no reproductions or alterations/variations are allowed without the express written consent of the author.
4. Parvo - Understanding Parvo - by Beyer - pdf link
The more information you have, the more you understand this deadly disease and know the symptoms, the better armed you will be to protect your pup and recognize any symptoms that may present.
5. CANINE DISTEMPER - By Dr. Gerry Retief - www.vet2petnet.co.za
Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Distemperis caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).
Incidence
Canine distemper occurs worldwide, and once was the leading cause of death inunvaccinated puppies. Widespread vaccination programs have dramatically reduced its incidence.
CDV occurs among domestic dogs and many other carnivores, including raccoons, skunks, and foxes. CDV is fairly common in wildlife. The development of a vaccine inthe early 1960s led to a dramaticreductioninthe number of infecteddomestic dogs. It tends to occur now only as sporadic outbreaks.
Young puppies between 3 and 6 months old are most susceptible to infection and disease and are more likely to die than infected adults. Nonimmunized older dogsare also highly susceptible to infection and disease. Nonimmunized dogs that have contact with other nonimmunized dogsor with wild carnivores have a greater risk of developing canine distemper.
Transmission
Infected dogs shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions, especially respiratory secretions. The primary mode of transmission is airborne viral particles that dogs breathe in. Dogsin recovery may continue to shed the virus for several weeks after symptoms disappear, but they no longer shed the virus once they are fully recovered.
It is possible for humans to contract an asymptomatic (subclinical) CDV infection. Anyone who has been immunized against measles (a related virus) is protected against CDV as well.
Signs and Symptoms
Macrophages (cells that ingest foreign disease-carrying organisms, like viruses and bacteria) carry inhaled CDV to nearby lymph nodes where it begins replicating (reproducing). It spreads rapidly through the lymphatic tissue and infects all the lymphoid organs within 2 to 5 days. By days six to nine, the virus spreads to the blood (viremia). It then spreads to the surface epithelium (lining) of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and central nervous systems, where it begins doing the damage that causes the symptoms of canine distemper.
Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and mild eye inflammation that may only last a day or two. Symptoms become more serious and noticeable as the disease progresses.
The initial symptom is fever (103°F to 106°F), which usually peaks 3 to 6 days after infection. The fever often goes unnoticed and may peak again a few days later. Dogs may experience eye and nose discharge, depression, and loss of appetite (anorexia). After the fever, symptoms vary considerably, depending on the strain of the virus and the dog's immunity.
Many dogs experience gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, such as:
• Conjunctivitis (discharge from the eye)
• Diarrhea
• Fever (usually present but unnoticed)
• Pneumonia (cough, labored breathing)
• Rhinitis (runny nose)
• Vomiting
These symptoms are often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections. Dogsalmost always develop encephalomyelitis (an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), the symptoms of which are variable and progressive. Most dogsthat die from distemper, die from neurological complications such as the following:
• Ataxia (muscle incoordination)
• Depression
• Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch)
• Myoclonus (muscle twitching or spasm), which can become disabling
• Paralysis
• Paresis (partial or incomplete paralysis)
• Progressive deterioration of mental abilities
• Progressive deterioration of motor skills
• Seizures that can affect any part of the body (One type of seizure that affects the head, and is unique to distemper, is sometimes referred to as a "chewing gum fit" because the dog appears to be chewing gum.)
Many dogs experience symptoms of the eye:
• Inflammation of the eye (either keratoconjunctivitis, inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, or chorioretinitis, inflammation of the choroid and retina)
• Lesions on the retina (the innermost layer of the eye)
• Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve which leads to blindness)
Two relatively minor conditions that often become chronic, even in dogs that recover are:
• Enamel hypoplasia (unenameled teeth that erode quickly in puppies whose permanent teeth haven't erupted yet—the virus kills all the cells that make teeth enamel)
• Hyperkeratosis (hardening of the foot pads and nose)
Inutero infection of fetuses is rare, but can happen. This can lead to spontaneous abortion, persistent infection in newborn puppies, or the birth of normal looking puppies that rapidly develop symptoms and die within 4 to 6 weeks.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on the dog's vaccination history, clinical symptoms, and laboratory tests.
Blood tests usually are not helpful in the diagnosis, though insome cases they may reveal lymphopenia (a deficiency of lymphocytes, a type of immune system cell) during early infection, followed by leukocytosis (an increase in the number of white blood cells circulating through the blood) during later infection.
Imaging studies (e.g., x-rays, CT scans) can diagnose pneumonia.
Inclusion bodies (unique cellular structures that indicate the presence of the virus) can be detected with microscopic examination of buffy coat cells (cells that make up the "buffy layer" of centrifuged blood) and conjunctival secretions (secretions from the conjunctiva, the inner lining of the eyelids). A negative result does not rule out the possibility that the dog has distemper.
An immunofluorescent assay can detect viral antigens (proteins that the immune system manufactures to fight the virus) in the buffy coat cells and conjunctival secretions when inclusion bodies are not visible. Immunofluorescence involves using special proteins labeled with a fluorescent chemical that bind to the antigens and make them visible. Again, a negative result does not rule out the possibility that the dog has distemper.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that helps identify the virus's genetic material, is usually more sensitive than either microscopic examination for viral inclusions or immunofluorescence. It can be a difficult procedure and it is not always successful.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be examined for CDV-specific antibodies and elevated levels of particular proteins and cells that indicate the presence of the virus.
Differential Diagnosis
Many diseases can cause symptoms resembling canine distemperand should be ruled out during diagnosis. Respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough and labored breathing) could be caused by bacterial pneumonia. Intestinal symptoms (e.g., vomiting and diarrhea) could be caused by gastroenteritis (an inflammatory bowel disease). Seizures and other neurological symptoms could be caused by toxoplasmosis (a protozoan infection) or epilepsy.
Treatment
Since there's no cure for distemper, treatment is supportive.
• Provide a clean, warm, draft-free environment.
• Keep eyes and nose clear of discharge.
• Give antiemetics (anti-nausea and anti-vomiting drugs) if there is vomiting.
• Give antidiarrheals for diarrhea.
• Monitor closely for dehydration. Dogswithout an appetite that are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea may require intravenous rehydration therapy.
• Antibiotics or bronchodilators are prescribed for pneumonia.
• Anticonvulsants may partially control seizures. Many veterinarians prescribe them before seizures start.
• Myoclonus is untreatable (and irreversible).
• Puppies who recover but have hypoplasia (unenameled teeth that erode quickly) can have the enamel restored to prevent further tooth decay.
• Glucocorticoid therapy can sometimes help blindness due to optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve). This may help in the short term, but glucocorticoids weaken the immune system and may make symptoms worse.
Prevention
The best prevention against canine distemper is vaccination. Vaccination works well even in animals that have already been exposed to the virus, if it is administered within 4 days of exposure. Exposure to CDV via vaccination induces long lasting, but not permanent, immunity. Dogs should receive annual vaccinations to ensure protection.
• There are several different types of distempervaccines available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Pet owners should discuss the various options with their veterinarians. The two most common vaccines are canine tissue culture-adapted vaccines and chick embryo-adapted vaccines.
• Canine tissue culture-adapted vaccines (e.g., Rockborn strain) are nearly 100% effective; they can very rarely cause fatal encephalitis (swelling of the brain) 1 to 2 weeks after vaccination. This type of vaccine is especially risky indogs with weakened immune systems.
• Chick embryo adapted-vaccines (e.g., Onderstepoort and Lederle strain) are safer than the Rockborn strain but are only about 80% effective.
• Most puppies are born with their mother's antibodies to CDV, which prevents them from becoming infected if exposed to the virus. They begin to lose their maternal protection between 6 and 12 weeks of age, which is when puppies should be vaccinated. Two to three vaccinations should be administered during this period. Dogs should be revaccinated yearly thereafter.
• Multidog households Any dog that is suspected of being infected should be isolated from other dogs. Other dogs should be vaccinated, if they haven't already been.
• CDV doesn't last long outside the dog's body; heat, sunlight, most detergents, soaps, and various chemicals inactivate it. After an infected dog has been removed from the premises, contaminated objects and living areas should be disinfected with a 1:30 bleach-water solution.
• One-dog households If a dog has died from CDV infection, pet owners should wait about one month before introducing a new puppy or dog into the home. Contaminated objects and living areas should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a 1:30 bleach-water solution.
Prognosis
Prognosis depends on the strain of canine distempervirus and the dog's immune response. After the initial fever subsides, the disease can progress ina number of ways.
• More than half of all dogs die between 2 weeks and 3 months after infection, usually from central nervous system complications. Most veterinarians recommend euthanasia for dogs that suffer progressive, severe neurological complications.
• Dogs that appear to recover may develop chronic or fatal central nervous system problems. Dogs with mild symptoms (e.g., myoclonus) may recover, though the symptoms can persist for several months or longer. Dogs with a strong immune response may never show any signs of infection. Once a dog has fully recovered, it no longer sheds the virus and is not contagious.
PARASITE CONTROL
Your pup is not only irresistible to you, but also to ticks, fleas and intestinal parasites.
Ensure that your pup is well protected from these health risks by speaking to your vet who will advise suitable products.
It really it so easy to protect your pet from these killer diseases and relatively inexpensive too, so there's no excuse for not keeping up to date. So, keep your pet's vaccinations up to date and ensure their wellbeing.
If your pet is a bit off colour, it is best to postpone their vaccination until they are completely healthy again, for the maximum vaccine efficacy, but check with your vet.
Your vet will be a source of information, knowledge, practical advice and support. There are a couple of pointers to remember when dealing with your vet in order to ensure that you both derive maximum benefit:
When possible try to avoid the “rush hours”. Most clinics are incredibly busy from 16h30 to closing time and your vet may not be in a position to give you the extra 15 minutes of his time that he or she would like to.
In a non-emergency phone ahead and see if the clinic is busy before going through.
In an emergency phone the clinic and let them know you are coming through and give a description of the problem so that they can start preparing the relevant treatment. Ensure that you have an after-hours contact number as well.
When describing or treating your dog’s condition it may help your vet if you keep a written record.
If in doubt – seek a second opinion! You are entitled to this right and most vets will have no problem with this.
Adhere to your vet’s advice and recommended treatment.
2. VACCINATIONS
With the excellent vaccines available today, there is no excuse for not having your pet vaccinated. The most common dog diseases vaccinated against are: rabies, parvovirus and distemper. In addition to these diseases your dog also runs the risk of canine leptospirosis and canine adenovirus (hepatitis) if they are not vaccinated.
All of these diseases can be fatal, with very young, elderly or fragile dogs being most at risk. These diseases are horrific and no pet should run the risk of contracting them due to their owner's negligence or ignorance. Another common disease is kennel cough, which can be caused by a multitude of viruses. Until recently there was no vaccine available, but there is now a vaccine, which should be given to dogs in high risk cases i.e. being in close proximity to many dogs in either a kennel or show scenario. Kennel cough is not usually fatal, but again young puppies and elderly dogs can fall prey to this ailment.
Your puppy should be vaccinated at 6, 10 and 14 weeks and thereafter on an annual basis. The reason for the numerous puppy vaccinations is that the maternal anti-bodies interfere with the vaccine and therefore the puppy needs more than one vaccine before they are safely protected. This is merely a guideline, as your vet is best suited to advise which vaccines to give your pet and at which intervals.
Until two weeks after your puppy’s last vaccination you should exercise caution with regard to taking him on outings. The obvious exception to this rule is properly run puppy classes where sick or unvaccinated dogs are denied access to the training grounds
3, CANINE PARVOVIRUS - By Dr’s Mac Williams, Moore and Romberg
(A dog can contract Parvo throughout it's life - this is not just something that can happen when a pup. When a dog has been fully vaccinated against this disease, then if Parvo is contracted the disease will not be as severe. To protect your pup against Parvo, do not expose it to other pups/dogs that have not been vaccinated and do not walk your pup in public places where your dog will have access to other dog's faeces, until your pup has received all 3 of the basic vaccinations)
Canine Parvovirus (CPV) infection appeared suddenly in the United States of America in august 1978 and within one year had become widespread throughout the world. The devastating effects and worldwide spread of CPV infection have been the subject of grave concern for pet owners, dog breeder and Veterinarians alike and have motivated an intense research effort to investigate all aspects of the disease.
The disease is caused by one of the smallest known viruses which is closely related the virus responsible for infectious feline panleukopaenia (‘cat flu’ or ‘cat distemper’).
The signs of CPV infection usually include fever, depression, and loss of appetite which are followed by extremely profuse diarrhoea, often accompanied by vomiting. The stool is liquid, may contain blood and has a foul odour. Because the white blood cell count may be lower than normal, the patients resistance is reduced, which exposes it to other infections.
Another form of CPV infection may occur in puppies younger than twelve weeks of age. This form of the disease causes an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and usually results in sudden death. The affected puppies may breathe with difficulty, cry intermittently and may develop diarrhoea.
Some dogs show no outward signs of the disease or may develop very mild symptoms. All infected dogs shed a great deal of virus in their stools which spreads the disease to susceptible dogs.
When puppies begin to nurse they may receive temporary protection against a number of diseases, including CPV. If the mother has been successfully vaccinated against CPV or has recovered from an earlier CPV infection, she will have produced protective CPV antibodies. These antibodies are passed to the puppies in their first milk. Because the amount of maternal antibodies received in this manner may vary widely, the puppies may be protected against CPV infection for a period of several weeks to several months.
The rapid spread of CPV infection and the widespread use of CPV vaccines has ensured that an increasing number of bitches are immune to the disease and thus their puppies receive maternal antibodies against CPV which are protective against the highly fatal myocarditis form of the disease.
However, the maternal antibodies, which are protective to the puppies, may interfere with the effectiveness of a vaccine. The antibodies neutralize the vaccine virus as though it were the natural CPV virus, thus preventing successful immunization. Therefore, it is important to vaccinate as soon as a puppy becomes susceptible to CPV infection, but late enough to avoid interference by the maternal antibodies.
Since puppies receive varying amounts of maternal antibodies, it is clinically impossible to determine the optimum time for vaccination. Thus for the best protection, several doses of vaccine may be required with the last dose of the vaccine given after the puppy is five months of age.
Treatment of CPV disease requires careful veterinary supervision and may be both time consuming and costly. Therapy often includes intravenous feeding, medication to control the diarrhoea and vomiting, administration of antibiotics and blood transfusions. Treatment is limited to controlling the symptoms of the disease and does not kill the virus. Since infection ranges from mild to severe even within an affected litter, the success of treatment varies too, despite intensive nursing.
Because CPV is extremely resistant the disease is easily spread and is difficult to control. Thus it is important to isolate infected dogs although even an apparently healthy dog may be spreading the virus because of a mild or inapparent infection. Contaminated areas should be disinfected using one part of hypochloride (bleach) diluted in thirty parts water or commercial chlorine disinfectants available from your veterinarian.
When CPV first appeared no specific vaccine was available to control the spread of the disease. As a result, CPV infection rapidly assumed epidemic proportions throughout the world. Because the canine parvovirus is very similar to the feline panleukopaenia virus (FPV) veterinarians first relied on FPV (‘cat flu’) vaccines as a form of protection, which was not entirely satisfactory. Subsequently, specific vaccines against CPV have been manufactured which afford superior protection although vaccine failures may occasionally occur.
It is now recommended that your puppy be vaccinated as soon as it becomes susceptible to CPV infection and that at least one booster vaccination is given after twenty weeks of age. Ideally, your puppy should receive the first CPV vaccine between 6 and 10 weeks of age, and a booster vaccine should be administered monthly until 5 months of age. Pregnant bitches should receive a booster killed virus vaccine two weeks prior to whelping to provide maximal protection to puppies. It is advisable only to purchase puppies that have proof of vaccination, and from a mother who has been vaccinated.
Dogs that survive a natural infection of CPV usually develop sufficient immunity to protect themselves against reinfection for several years. However, because there are many cases of diarrhoea and vomiting, even dogs having suspected CPV should be protected by vaccination when in good health.
This article is copyrighted and remains the property of the author. Individuals are welcome to print or copy same for their own use in furthering their knowledge of dogs. However, no reproductions or alterations/variations are allowed without the express written consent of the author.
4. Parvo - Understanding Parvo - by Beyer - pdf link
The more information you have, the more you understand this deadly disease and know the symptoms, the better armed you will be to protect your pup and recognize any symptoms that may present.
5. CANINE DISTEMPER - By Dr. Gerry Retief - www.vet2petnet.co.za
Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Distemperis caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).
Incidence
Canine distemper occurs worldwide, and once was the leading cause of death inunvaccinated puppies. Widespread vaccination programs have dramatically reduced its incidence.
CDV occurs among domestic dogs and many other carnivores, including raccoons, skunks, and foxes. CDV is fairly common in wildlife. The development of a vaccine inthe early 1960s led to a dramaticreductioninthe number of infecteddomestic dogs. It tends to occur now only as sporadic outbreaks.
Young puppies between 3 and 6 months old are most susceptible to infection and disease and are more likely to die than infected adults. Nonimmunized older dogsare also highly susceptible to infection and disease. Nonimmunized dogs that have contact with other nonimmunized dogsor with wild carnivores have a greater risk of developing canine distemper.
Transmission
Infected dogs shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions, especially respiratory secretions. The primary mode of transmission is airborne viral particles that dogs breathe in. Dogsin recovery may continue to shed the virus for several weeks after symptoms disappear, but they no longer shed the virus once they are fully recovered.
It is possible for humans to contract an asymptomatic (subclinical) CDV infection. Anyone who has been immunized against measles (a related virus) is protected against CDV as well.
Signs and Symptoms
Macrophages (cells that ingest foreign disease-carrying organisms, like viruses and bacteria) carry inhaled CDV to nearby lymph nodes where it begins replicating (reproducing). It spreads rapidly through the lymphatic tissue and infects all the lymphoid organs within 2 to 5 days. By days six to nine, the virus spreads to the blood (viremia). It then spreads to the surface epithelium (lining) of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and central nervous systems, where it begins doing the damage that causes the symptoms of canine distemper.
Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and mild eye inflammation that may only last a day or two. Symptoms become more serious and noticeable as the disease progresses.
The initial symptom is fever (103°F to 106°F), which usually peaks 3 to 6 days after infection. The fever often goes unnoticed and may peak again a few days later. Dogs may experience eye and nose discharge, depression, and loss of appetite (anorexia). After the fever, symptoms vary considerably, depending on the strain of the virus and the dog's immunity.
Many dogs experience gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, such as:
• Conjunctivitis (discharge from the eye)
• Diarrhea
• Fever (usually present but unnoticed)
• Pneumonia (cough, labored breathing)
• Rhinitis (runny nose)
• Vomiting
These symptoms are often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections. Dogsalmost always develop encephalomyelitis (an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), the symptoms of which are variable and progressive. Most dogsthat die from distemper, die from neurological complications such as the following:
• Ataxia (muscle incoordination)
• Depression
• Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch)
• Myoclonus (muscle twitching or spasm), which can become disabling
• Paralysis
• Paresis (partial or incomplete paralysis)
• Progressive deterioration of mental abilities
• Progressive deterioration of motor skills
• Seizures that can affect any part of the body (One type of seizure that affects the head, and is unique to distemper, is sometimes referred to as a "chewing gum fit" because the dog appears to be chewing gum.)
Many dogs experience symptoms of the eye:
• Inflammation of the eye (either keratoconjunctivitis, inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, or chorioretinitis, inflammation of the choroid and retina)
• Lesions on the retina (the innermost layer of the eye)
• Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve which leads to blindness)
Two relatively minor conditions that often become chronic, even in dogs that recover are:
• Enamel hypoplasia (unenameled teeth that erode quickly in puppies whose permanent teeth haven't erupted yet—the virus kills all the cells that make teeth enamel)
• Hyperkeratosis (hardening of the foot pads and nose)
Inutero infection of fetuses is rare, but can happen. This can lead to spontaneous abortion, persistent infection in newborn puppies, or the birth of normal looking puppies that rapidly develop symptoms and die within 4 to 6 weeks.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on the dog's vaccination history, clinical symptoms, and laboratory tests.
Blood tests usually are not helpful in the diagnosis, though insome cases they may reveal lymphopenia (a deficiency of lymphocytes, a type of immune system cell) during early infection, followed by leukocytosis (an increase in the number of white blood cells circulating through the blood) during later infection.
Imaging studies (e.g., x-rays, CT scans) can diagnose pneumonia.
Inclusion bodies (unique cellular structures that indicate the presence of the virus) can be detected with microscopic examination of buffy coat cells (cells that make up the "buffy layer" of centrifuged blood) and conjunctival secretions (secretions from the conjunctiva, the inner lining of the eyelids). A negative result does not rule out the possibility that the dog has distemper.
An immunofluorescent assay can detect viral antigens (proteins that the immune system manufactures to fight the virus) in the buffy coat cells and conjunctival secretions when inclusion bodies are not visible. Immunofluorescence involves using special proteins labeled with a fluorescent chemical that bind to the antigens and make them visible. Again, a negative result does not rule out the possibility that the dog has distemper.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that helps identify the virus's genetic material, is usually more sensitive than either microscopic examination for viral inclusions or immunofluorescence. It can be a difficult procedure and it is not always successful.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be examined for CDV-specific antibodies and elevated levels of particular proteins and cells that indicate the presence of the virus.
Differential Diagnosis
Many diseases can cause symptoms resembling canine distemperand should be ruled out during diagnosis. Respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough and labored breathing) could be caused by bacterial pneumonia. Intestinal symptoms (e.g., vomiting and diarrhea) could be caused by gastroenteritis (an inflammatory bowel disease). Seizures and other neurological symptoms could be caused by toxoplasmosis (a protozoan infection) or epilepsy.
Treatment
Since there's no cure for distemper, treatment is supportive.
• Provide a clean, warm, draft-free environment.
• Keep eyes and nose clear of discharge.
• Give antiemetics (anti-nausea and anti-vomiting drugs) if there is vomiting.
• Give antidiarrheals for diarrhea.
• Monitor closely for dehydration. Dogswithout an appetite that are experiencing vomiting and diarrhea may require intravenous rehydration therapy.
• Antibiotics or bronchodilators are prescribed for pneumonia.
• Anticonvulsants may partially control seizures. Many veterinarians prescribe them before seizures start.
• Myoclonus is untreatable (and irreversible).
• Puppies who recover but have hypoplasia (unenameled teeth that erode quickly) can have the enamel restored to prevent further tooth decay.
• Glucocorticoid therapy can sometimes help blindness due to optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve). This may help in the short term, but glucocorticoids weaken the immune system and may make symptoms worse.
Prevention
The best prevention against canine distemper is vaccination. Vaccination works well even in animals that have already been exposed to the virus, if it is administered within 4 days of exposure. Exposure to CDV via vaccination induces long lasting, but not permanent, immunity. Dogs should receive annual vaccinations to ensure protection.
• There are several different types of distempervaccines available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Pet owners should discuss the various options with their veterinarians. The two most common vaccines are canine tissue culture-adapted vaccines and chick embryo-adapted vaccines.
• Canine tissue culture-adapted vaccines (e.g., Rockborn strain) are nearly 100% effective; they can very rarely cause fatal encephalitis (swelling of the brain) 1 to 2 weeks after vaccination. This type of vaccine is especially risky indogs with weakened immune systems.
• Chick embryo adapted-vaccines (e.g., Onderstepoort and Lederle strain) are safer than the Rockborn strain but are only about 80% effective.
• Most puppies are born with their mother's antibodies to CDV, which prevents them from becoming infected if exposed to the virus. They begin to lose their maternal protection between 6 and 12 weeks of age, which is when puppies should be vaccinated. Two to three vaccinations should be administered during this period. Dogs should be revaccinated yearly thereafter.
• Multidog households Any dog that is suspected of being infected should be isolated from other dogs. Other dogs should be vaccinated, if they haven't already been.
• CDV doesn't last long outside the dog's body; heat, sunlight, most detergents, soaps, and various chemicals inactivate it. After an infected dog has been removed from the premises, contaminated objects and living areas should be disinfected with a 1:30 bleach-water solution.
• One-dog households If a dog has died from CDV infection, pet owners should wait about one month before introducing a new puppy or dog into the home. Contaminated objects and living areas should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a 1:30 bleach-water solution.
Prognosis
Prognosis depends on the strain of canine distempervirus and the dog's immune response. After the initial fever subsides, the disease can progress ina number of ways.
• More than half of all dogs die between 2 weeks and 3 months after infection, usually from central nervous system complications. Most veterinarians recommend euthanasia for dogs that suffer progressive, severe neurological complications.
• Dogs that appear to recover may develop chronic or fatal central nervous system problems. Dogs with mild symptoms (e.g., myoclonus) may recover, though the symptoms can persist for several months or longer. Dogs with a strong immune response may never show any signs of infection. Once a dog has fully recovered, it no longer sheds the virus and is not contagious.
PARASITE CONTROL
Your pup is not only irresistible to you, but also to ticks, fleas and intestinal parasites.
Ensure that your pup is well protected from these health risks by speaking to your vet who will advise suitable products.
It really it so easy to protect your pet from these killer diseases and relatively inexpensive too, so there's no excuse for not keeping up to date. So, keep your pet's vaccinations up to date and ensure their wellbeing.
If your pet is a bit off colour, it is best to postpone their vaccination until they are completely healthy again, for the maximum vaccine efficacy, but check with your vet.
