Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Prevalence of canine distemper in dogs referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Farzad Mousafarkhani 1
Ali Asghar Sarchahi 2
Hadi Mohebalian 3
Javad Khoshnegah 2
Mohammad Arbabi 1

1 DVM Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2022.541661.3269
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. Epidemiological study of canine distemper can help to control and treat the disease in any area. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CDV in dogs referred to the Veterinary Hospital from September 23, 2018 to September 22, 2019. Dogs with at least two clinical signs of canine distemper underwent blood tests, rapid test kit from the eye and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and RT-PCR from whole blood and/or CSF samples. Out of 1212 referred dogs, 112 dogs were suspected to have canine distemper of which 90 underwent RT-PCR and rapid test kits. The disease prevalence was 4.04% (49/1212) and 7.44% (49/659) according to the total number of referring dogs and number of referring sick dogs, respectively. The distemper fatality rate was 69.57% (32/46). Seventy percent of distemper positive cases were under 12 months old and 52.08% were under 6 months old. Female dogs were more susceptible than males; however, the fatality rate of males was more than females. Of distemper positive dogs, 91.84% were unvaccinated. The highest prevalence (71.43%) of dogs diagnosed with CDV occurred during the cold seasons. It is concluded that canine distemper is endemic in the geographical area of Mashhad and its prevalence rate in dogs referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad is 4.04% and its fatality rate is 69.57%. This indicates that a significant number of dogs may die if they develop distemper despite treatment.

Keywords

Distemper
Dog
Prevalence rate
RT-PCR
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 14, Issue 3
March 2023
Pages 153-160

  • Receive Date 27 October 2021
  • Revise Date 10 February 2022
  • Accept Date 13 March 2022

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