Plague is one of the most serious diseases of carnivores (including domestic dogs). The disease can affect the brain and nervous system, any internal organ and limbs. In severe cases, animals that have survived the disease remain disabled.
What is plague
Distemper is a contagious viral disease to which domestic dogs and wild carnivores such as minks, foxes, ferrets and others are susceptible. The causative agent is a virus of the paramyxovirus group. This disease is not transmitted to other pets and humans. In a recovered dog, immunity is formed. The main risk group includes puppies from 2-3 months to a year. This is due to the fact that the body of babies is weakened due to the change of teeth and active growth. Puppies that feed on their mother's milk receive protective antibodies and are less prone to infection. All breeds, without exception, are susceptible to this disease, but purebreds are at an increased risk group in comparison with mongrels. Among canine diseases, distemper is considered the worst disease after rabies.
Infection routes and vectors
Carnivore distemper is characterized by infection in any of three ways: through the respiratory tract (nose), digestive tract (mouth), or hearing aids (ears). Once in the body, the virus enters the blood and tissues. The disease is transmitted at any time of the year, but spreads faster in bad "dirty" weather (autumn, spring). “Favorable” factors contributing to distemper disease are: lack of vitamins in the dog's diet, colds, poor living conditions, and inadequate feeding.
The main sources of infection are sick and ill animals (with direct and indirect contact), infected objects of the external environment (food, water, air, excreta of sick animals, feeders, rooms and bedding, care items - everything that was used and where sick individuals were kept)). In addition, humans, vehicles, birds, and even insects and worms can be carriers.
The virus enters the environment with urine, dead skin epithelium, feces, and discharge from the nose, eyes and mouth. A sick dog, even before the first symptoms appear, is able to infect other individuals with its breathing. The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 weeks, depending on the form of the disease. A dog cured of distemper retains the ability to infect other animals for 2-3 months.
Studies have shown that the distemper virus completely disappears from the blood 2-3 days after the first symptoms appear. The disease continues, mainly due to the development of a secondary infection. Although the virus is no longer present in the blood, it still lives in other parts of the body and, in its later stages, often causes very serious damage to internal organs.
There is no unequivocal and effective treatment for this terrible disease. Therapeutic procedures are mainly aimed at maintaining the vital functions of the body, raising immunity and blocking the pathways of the spread of possible secondary infections. All manipulations with a sick animal are performed based on the severity of its condition.
Despite all the efforts of veterinarians, they are practically powerless against the plague. And mortality rates are still high.
