Adjunct Professor Federal University of Goiás GOIÂNIA, Goias, Brazil
Background: Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection persists as one of the most lethal diseases in domestic dogs in tropical countries.Hypothesis/
Objectives: Identify the epidemiological characteristics and potential risk factors associated with CDV infection in dogs with neurological manifestations.Animals: Seventeen CDV-infected dogs with neurological signs and 343 dogs with other CNS diseases.
Methods: Retrospective study (2018-2022). CDV-infected dogs were confirmed by immunochromatography antigen test, RT-PCR, and/or Lentz corpuscle observation. Dogs with other CNS diseases were included in a control group. Age, breed, weight, sex, and neuter status were compared between groups by logistic regression (p < 0.05), log-likelihood method, and odds ratios were calculated. Clinical signs, seasonality, and vaccination protocols were described. Prevalence, mortality, lethality, survival, and time until death were calculated.
Results: Younger dogs had more probability of having neurological signs caused by distemper (p=0.00690; OR=-0.01438). Shih-Tzu (p=0,00007; OR=1.53774) and Lhasa Apso (p=0,000264; OR=1.76084) were more prone to develop neurological manifestations due to CDV than other breeds. Most of the CDV-infected dogs showed multifocal (10/17) and associated extra-neural signs (16/17). The most common neurological sign was motor deficit (13/17), and only one-third (6/17) showed myoclonia. Autumn was the season with the highest occurrence (8/17). Many CDV-infected dogs had updated vaccination protocol (6/17). Prevalence, mortality, and lethality were 4,72%, 2,22%, and 47,05%, respectively. Mean survival was 187±12 months, and the death occurred on average after 74±12 months.Conclusions and clinical importance: The epidemiological characteristics and risk factors identified constitute important tools for better prevention of canine distemper infection in endemic regions.
