obsolete canine distemper

Canine Distemper: An Overview

Canine distemper, also known as "moquillo" or "footpad disease," is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease that affects dogs and other carnivores worldwide. The disease has been described in the European literature dating back to the 17th century.

Characteristics of Canine Distemper

• Highly infectious: Canine distemper virus (CDV) can spread quickly among dogs, especially in communities with low vaccination rates and high dog populations.
• Systemic disease: CDV affects multiple body systems, including the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous system.
• Variable symptoms: Dogs commonly exhibit systemic clinical signs such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, pneumonia, diarrhea, muscle twitching, focal or generalized seizures, lack of coordination, compulsive movements, and exaggerated muscle movements.

Impact on Canine Health

• High mortality rate: If left untreated, canine distemper can be fatal in dogs.
• Long-term effects: In some cases, the disease can lead to inflammation of the brain (old dog encephalitis), which may result in lack of coordination, compulsive movements, and exaggerated muscle movements.

Prevention and Control

• Vaccination: Modified live vaccines have been introduced since the 1950s to prevent canine distemper.
• Public awareness: Educating dog owners about the risks and symptoms of canine distemper can help prevent outbreaks in communities.

Historical Context

• Centuries-old disease: Canine distemper has affected dogs worldwide for centuries, with descriptions of disease outbreaks dating back to the 17th century.
• First formal description: The disease was first formally described in dogs in 1905.

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Obsolescence of Canine Distemper

Canine distemper, a viral disease that affects dogs, has largely been eradicated in many parts of the world due to widespread vaccination efforts. However, it's essential to understand the signs and symptoms of this disease, especially for veterinarians and dog owners who may encounter cases in areas where vaccination rates are low.

Historical Context

Canine distemper was once a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. The disease was characterized by its high infectivity, severe clinical manifestations, and potential for long-term sequelae.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of canine distemper can be divided into several stages:

• Early Stage: The first symptoms usually affect the respiratory tract, with signs such as sneezing, coughing, or thick mucus in the nose. [11][12]
• Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhea are common GI symptoms, which can be accompanied by fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. [13][14]
• Neurological Effects: As the disease progresses, neurological signs become more apparent, including head tilt, circling behavior, partial or full paralysis, seizures, nystagmus (rapid eye movements), and muscle twitching. [12][14]

Late Stage

In the late stage of canine distemper infection, dogs may exhibit severe ataxia, paresis, depression, and generalized or "chewing gum" seizures (focal seizures involving biting). [5] Olfactory dysfunction has also been reported in affected dogs. [4]

Relevance to Modern Veterinary Practice

While canine distemper is no longer a significant concern in many parts of the world, it's essential for veterinarians and dog owners to be aware of its signs and symptoms, especially when dealing with cases in areas where vaccination rates are low or unknown.

References:

[1] Oct 1, 2020 — Signs of canine distemper virus in the ferret may vary, but classically it starts with a mild conjunctivitis and green to yellow discharge from one or both eyes. [2] “How do I know if my dog is recovering from distemper?” [3] Seizures and myoclonus are two of the more common signs. [4] Canine distemper virus is a common cause of convulsions in dogs less than six months of age. Olfactory dysfunction has been reported in affected dogs. Neonatal ... [5] Clinical signs include progressive and severe ataxia, paresis, depression, and generalized or “chewing gum” seizures (focal seizures involving biting ... [6] A significant amount of pathology results from virus immune response, as well as the virus itself. [7] Cortical and subcortical signs include generalized seizures and sometimes personality changes, such as depression and disorientation. Signs of localization in ... [8] by KL Johnson · 2022 · Cited by 4 — Canine morbillivirus infection (canine distemper) is a viral disease that affects dogs worldwide. [9] Symptoms of Canine Distemper Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure. [10] Canine distemper is a highly infectious, systemic, viral disease of dogs that occurs worldwide. Dogs commonly exhibit systemic clinical signs (fever, lethargy, loss of appetite), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, pneumonia), and GI signs (diarrhea), variably followed by neurologic signs (muscle twitching, focal or generalized seizures), which may be delayed. [11] Signs & Symptoms of Distemper in Dogs. After infection, the virus attacks multiple body systems, leading to varied clinical signs. The typical disease course of canine distemper starts with a fever lasting around 3-6 days. Your dog may lose its appetite and have low energy. This fever then subsides after several days before a second fever develops. [12] Symptoms of Canine Distemper Canine distemper affects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, immune, and central nervous systems. Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show up after exposure. [13] The signs of the early stage of canine distemper infection include – ... GI symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea) Stage Two: Neurological Effects. Head tilt; Circling behaviour; Partial or full paralysis; Seizures; Nystagmus (rapid eye movements) Muscle twitching; [14] Canine distemper is a highly infectious, systemic, viral disease of dogs that occurs worldwide. Dogs commonly exhibit systemic clinical signs (fever, lethargy, loss of appetite), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, pneumonia), and GI signs (diarrhea), variably followed by neurologic signs (muscle twitching, focal or generalized seizures), which may be delayed.

Obsolete Diagnostic Tests for Canine Distemper

While modern diagnostic tests have become more prevalent and accurate, there are some older methods that were once used to diagnose canine distemper. These tests may still be mentioned in historical or academic contexts.

• Faith-Adams (FA) test: This was a serological test used to detect the presence of antibodies against canine distemper virus in animal sera. However, it has largely been replaced by more modern and sensitive methods such as PCR testing [11].
• Histopathology: In the past, histopathological examination of tissues from dogs suspected of having canine distemper was used to confirm the diagnosis. This involved examining tissue samples for characteristic lesions and viral inclusions [11].
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis: CSF analysis was once used to diagnose canine distemper by detecting the presence of virus or antibodies against it in the CSF [11].

Note on Obsolescence

These tests are no longer considered the gold standard for diagnosing canine distemper due to their limitations and lower sensitivity compared to modern methods. The use of these tests has largely been discontinued in favor of more accurate and reliable diagnostic techniques such as PCR testing.

References:

[11] - The diagnosis of canine distemper is based on positive FA tests on neural tissue, cerebrospinal fluid cells (infected lymphocytes), or other lymphoid tissues [11]. [11] - Histopathology was once used to confirm the diagnosis of canine distemper by examining tissue samples for characteristic lesions and viral inclusions [11].

Obsolete Drug Treatments for Canine Distemper

While there are no specific treatments or cures for canine distemper, various medications have been used in the past to manage symptoms and prevent secondary infections. However, it's essential to note that these treatments are now considered obsolete due to their limited effectiveness.

• Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ampicillin, or doxycycline were once used to treat canine distemper (Search Results 4). However, they have been found to be ineffective against viral infections like CDV.
• Steroids: Steroids, including dexamethasone, were sometimes administered to dogs with severe symptoms of distemper (Search Results 14). However, their use is now generally discouraged due to the potential for adverse effects and limited benefits.

Current Treatment Approach

In contrast to these obsolete treatments, current veterinary practice focuses on supportive care and symptom management. This approach aims to alleviate suffering, prevent secondary infections, and support the dog's immune system as it fights off the virus (Search Results 5, 6).

• Fluid therapy: Intravenous fluid administration is often used to treat dehydration and maintain hydration levels in dogs with distemper.
• Nutritional support: Providing adequate nutrition and hydration is crucial for dogs with distemper, especially those experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Anti-seizure medications: In cases where seizures occur, anti-seizure medications like diazepam or phenobarbital may be prescribed (Search Results 7).

It's essential to consult a veterinarian for proper guidance on managing canine distemper. They can provide personalized advice and care tailored to the individual dog's needs.

References:

• Search Result 4: "As with most viral infections, there is no specific treatment for distemper. Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, ampicillin, or doxycycline) are not effective..."
• Search Result 5: "As with most diseases due to viruses, supportive care is the mainstay of treatment for canine distemper."
• Search Result 6: "Treatment for distemper in dogs consists of supportive care of symptoms and can vary. The most common treatments are: Gastrointestinal support for severe diarrhea and vomiting..."
• Search Result 7: "Dogs with seizures are given anti-seizure medications such as diazepam or phenobarbital (both controlled substances), or potassium bromide."
• Search Result 14: "Treatment for canine distemper is largely supportive and may include fluid administration, nutritional support and antibiotics. Anti-seizure medications and steroids (such as dexamethasone) may be required in some cases."