From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-03-14 18:48:41 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Distemper in Minnesota ?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Don't forget Liz's reminder that this has not yet been checked to be sure it
is Canine Distemper. Also, notice from the timing that the infection of this
individual could have occurred practically anywhere along the chain with
unknown accidental exposure
home (2 weeks before symptoms, carried in)
store (other animals, carried in by workers, carried in by customers)
transportation from distribution center (other animals, carried in by workers)
distribution center (other animals, carried in by workers)
transportation from farm to distribution center (same as above)
farm (same as above)
Notice that the timing is often about 2 weeks, but can be as long as about
7 weeks after exposure.
I thought that I had read that other ferrets were involved, but on re-reading
the original I don't find that, so one way or another I am missing something,
saw something later (which is hopefully not rumor but verified update), or
I simply misread and it is a sole case.
Starting in early Spring each year there is ALWAYS a rash of private letters about
unvaccinated ferrets who have gotten canine distemper. Most don't go public.
Some years, like last years in my own pers. coms. there are fewer, but some
years there are way, way too many. That is a different situation but an
important one to remember.
CD is a morbillivirus (a measles relative) and that reminds me that
there was a study in which ribavirin helped. Let me see if it is in
Pub Med
BEGIN QUOTE
Antiviral Res. 2008 Feb;77(2):108-13. Epub 2007 Oct 8. Links
In vitro efficacy of ribavirin against canine distemper virus.
Elia G, Belloli C, Cirone F, Lucente MS, Caruso M, Martella V,
Decaro N, Buonavoglia C, Ormas P.
Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine of Bari, S.p. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano,
Bari, Italy.
Despite vaccination, canine distemper virus (CDV) remains one of
the important pathogen of dogs with worldwide distribution. Ribavirin
(RIB) inhibits replication of measles virus (MV), a morbillivirus closely
related to CDV, both in vitro and in vivo. In this report the antiviral
activity of RIB against CDV in cell cultures was assessed. Quantitative
real-time RT-PCR was used to measure viral RNA in VERO cells infected
by CDV and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of RIB. RIB caused a dose-
and time-dependent decrease in accumulation of CDV RNA when added
after virus adsorption. RIB was highly effective in preventing CDV replication
at low concentrations with 50% virus-inhibitory concentrations ranging from
0.02 to 0.05mM. Such low values were comparable to values displayed by
highly susceptible strains of MV. In addition, CDV was passaged sequentially
in VERO cell monolayers in the presence of RIB to trigger viral extinction.
The virus was no longer detected after three passages, suggesting that
error catastrophe is one of the modes of action of RIB against CDV. These
findings suggest RIB as a promising tool for the therapy of CD in dogs.
PMID: 17949825 [PubMed - in process]
END QUOTE
Transmission: direct contact, aerosol (like from a cough or sneeze), or
from something contaminated by feces, urine, affected skin, nasal
mucus, eye exudates, etc. On page 355 of _Biology and Diseases of the
Ferret, 2nd ed._ it also says that it MIGHT be possible for some blood
sucking insects to transmit it if they switch animals in short enough
time but that had not been demonstrated.
The ferrets are contagious before they show symptoms and the virus
can hang around in places.
Symptoms:
After incubation of 7-10 days in the study(ies) quoted in the vet text mentioned:
anorexia, pyrexia, blinking of eyes as if photosensitive, serious nasal discharge
Temp may be as high as 41'C (compared to normal range of 37.7 to 39.1'C)
Erythematous rash, pruritic rash usually first on chin
The rash may become secondarily infected and look orange
"The catarrhal of CDV worsens when the nasal-ocular exudate becomes
mucopurulent and develops into a brown, encrusted material surrounding
the lips, nose, chin, and eyes; the eyelids usually stick shut.
Hyerkeratosis of the foot pads happens inconsistently.
Secondary bacterial infections may occur
Dark, tarry feces may at times occur as the disease advances.
Bosy temperature falls before death.
Ferrets who live long enough through those earlier and life threatening
phases develop CNS (Central Nervous System)
symptoms: hyperexcitability, excessive salivation, muscular tremors,
convulsions, and coma.
If I misread any of that then those who know better should note corrections.
Sorry about lacking the time to post definitions of the medical terms but
I know people here will look up what they want to learn about, anyway, and
there are veterinary and medical dictionary links in the links at the FHL
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/