What is Canine Distemper?

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About Canine Distember:

It is a contagious and serious disease caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).
The virus attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs.
All dogs are at risk of canine distemper. Those at particular risk include puppies younger than four months and dogs that have not been vaccinated against CDV.
In addition to dogs, CDV can infect ferrets as well as a wide range of other mammals, especially carnivores.
- These include several wildlife species such as wild canines (e.g., foxes and wolves), raccoons, and skunks. Cats also may become infected but are unlikely to get sick.
Transmission:
- It is spread through direct contact or airborne exposure.
- The virus does not last long in the environment and can be destroyed by most disinfectants.
- However, the distemper-infected dogs can shed the virus for up to several months, putting dogs around them at risk.
Symptoms:
- Once a dog is infected, the virus quickly spreads throughout the entire body and significantly weakens the immune system, leaving them susceptible to secondary infections.
- The skin, respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and central nervous systems can all be affected.
- Coughing is the most common symptom. They usually develop fever and discharge from the eyes and/or nose.
- The disease can also cause disorientation, tremors, twitches, and seizures.
Treatment:
- There is no cure, and no antiviral drugs have been approved to combat the infection.
- The best way to prevent canine distemper is through vaccination.

Q1: What is a Virus?

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. A virus cannot replicate alone; instead, it must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of itself. Often, a virus ends up killing the host cell in the process, causing damage to the host organism. Well-known examples of viruses causing human disease include AIDS, COVID-19, measles and smallpox.

Source: Stray dogs within 2 km radius of Corbett Tiger Reserve’s boundaries to be vaccinated