Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is
a viral disease that infects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central
nervous systems. Dogs who have not been vaccinated for Canine Distemper are the
most at-risk. While the disease can also be contracted when improperly
vaccinated or when a dog has high susceptibility to bacterial infection, these
cases are rare.
CDV can be spread through
direct contact (licking, breathing air, etc.) or indirect contact (bedding,
toys, food bowls, etc.), though it cannot live on surfaces for very long.
Inhaling the virus is the primary method of exposure. There is no known cure
for CDV.
Recent Problems
Gujarat Forest Department has started vaccination of lions in Gir
sanctuary to protect them from a deadly canine distemper virus (CDV). The virus
is blamed for the death lions in Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary in last one month.
The magnificent Asiatic lion is under threat. Twenty-three lions
have died in as many days in the eastern part of Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary. This
case is more worrisome as the big cat population in Gujarat is the last of the
Asiatic lions in the wild.
