CANINE DISTEMPER
A potential virus — Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) — that can be transmitted from CDV-infected dogs living in wildlife sanctuaries to tiger’s has raised concern among wildlife biologists.
About:
Animals affected: Canine distemper is a contagious viral disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of a wide variety of animal species, including dogs, coyotes, foxes, pandas and wolves.
Name: It is also known as hardpad disease.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include high fever, eye inflammation and eye/nose discharge, vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of appetite and lethargy, and hardening of nose and footpads.
Cause: It is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae (the same family of the viruses that causes measles, mumps, and bronchiolitis in humans). This virus is similar to the measles virus in humans and the rinderpest virus which affects cattle.
Transmission: The disease is highly contagious via inhalation. The virus can also be transmitted by shared food and water bowls and equipment.
Diagnosis: There is no cure for canine distemper infection. Treatment typically consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent infections.
