Seals - this could be the break we've been waiting for

[Pete F.]

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is caused by a virus that has a broad host range among North American carnivores including the mink, striped skunks, fishers, badgers, black-footed ferrets and weasels. Canine distemper virus is related to rubeola (red measles) but poses no known threat to humans.

Canine distemper virus infects cells of the immune system, lungs, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, skin, and brain. It is shed from the body in nasal and conjunctival exudates, feces and urine. Transmission requires close interaction between animals to enable direct contact or aerosol exposure because the virus does not persist long outside the body under most environmental conditions. Infected animals may shed virus beginning about 5 days after infection for a period of as long as 6 weeks or until death.

The signs of canine distemper are similar in all susceptible species. Reddening on the skin of the chin, muzzle, ears, around the eyes, ventral abdomen, limbs and footpads is an early sign. Scurfiness, or a moist rash with thickening of the skin and slippage of fur, may develop in these areas. The muzzle and footpads may become thickened and dry. There may be an ocular discharge and the eyes may become encrusted and gummed shut by purulent exudates. Some animals lose their appetite and become emaciated, whereas others develop diarrhea. Pneumonia may develop, resulting in labored respirations. Nervous signs, which are due to encephalitis, include loss of fear of humans, daylight wandering by nocturnal animals, stupor, circling, twitching or spasms of limbs, muscles, muzzle, lips and head, ataxia, paralysis, coma and convulsions.

Outbreaks of canine distemper may have a significant impact on local or regional populations of raccoons, and on red foxes, gray foxes and skunks in parts of the United States and on the raccoon population in Canada. Transmission of canine distemper is likely density-dependent; the disease poses a threat mainly to concentrated populations of previously unexposed susceptible species.

The origin of virus introduced into susceptible populations is unclear, there often appears to be little relationship between canine distemper activity in domestic populations and that in wildlife.