The Sunday News
Hundreds of dogs in Hwange District are reported to have succumbed to canine distemper following an outbreak of the contagious viral disease in August last year.
Hwange district veterinary officer Dr Lovemore Dube confirmed the outbreak of the disease but hinted that its occurrence was now subdued following extensive vaccination outreach programmes by the two non-governmental organisations, the Veterinarians Animal Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ) and Painted Dog Conservation.
“The disease was detected in August in Chidobe area near Victoria Falls when VAWZ grouped a number of dogs from nearby villages for free rabies and canine distemper vaccination. It happened that one or two dogs were sick from canine distemper and these spread it to the other dogs . . . the disease continued to spread to other areas such as Jambezi and persisted in the eastern parts of the district,” Dr Dube said.
Canine distemper is a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. The disease affects dogs and certain species of wildlife, such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, and skunks. The common house pet, the ferret, is also a carrier of the virus. Canine distemper belongs to the Morbillivirus class of viruses, and is a relative of the measles virus, which affects humans, the rinderpest virus that affects cattle, and the phocine virus that causes seal distemper. All are members of the Paramyxoviridae family. Young, unvaccinated puppies and non-immunised older dogs tend to be more susceptible to the disease.
The virus, which is spread through the air and by direct or indirect (i.e. utensils, bedding) contact with an infected animal, initially attacks a dog’s tonsils and lymph nodes and replicates itself there for about one week. It then attacks the respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
The disease can be acquired from improperly attenuated vaccines, though this occurs rather rarely. Bacterial infections of the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems may also increase an animal’s vulnerability to the disease.
Non-immunised dogs that come into any kind of contact with an infected animal carry a particularly high risk of contracting the disease.
Canine distemper is diagnosed with biochemical tests and urine analysis, which may also reveal a reduced number of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that function in the immune system in the initial stages of the disease (lymphopenia). A serology test may identify positive antibodies, but this test cannot distinguish between vaccination antibodies and an exposure to a virulent virus. Viral antigens may be detected in urine sediment or vaginal imprints.
Haired skin, nasal mucous, and the footpad epithelium may be tested for antibodies as well. Radiographs can only be used to determine whether an infected animal has contracted pneumonia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans can be used to examine the brain for any lesions that may have developed.
Dr Dube said close to 1 000 dogs might have succumbed to canine distemper in the district.
“A number of villagers have reportedly lost their dogs with the clinical symptoms suggesting that the pets might have succumbed to canine distemper. I believe close to 1 000 dogs are likely to have died of the disease.
“In Hwange town over 30 dogs have died. These were those that showed clinical or nervous symptoms while we managed to save those that were brought earlier through administering antibiotics to them,” he said. Dr Dube said further spread of the disease on the eastern parts of the district was contained following a vaccination programme by Painted Dogs Conservation, which also covered rabies. Painted Dogs vaccinated over
1 000 dogs for both canine distemper and rabies on the eastern part of the district while VAWZ also inoculated a substantial number on the western part bring together the number of vaccinated dogs in the district to over 2 000 dogs.
“Between September and October last year, Painted Dog Conservation vaccinated over 1 000 dogs from villages for free on the eastern parts of the district adjacent to the Hwange National Park. The Painted Dog is one of the endangered species in the world and as such the annual vaccination programmes by this NGO are part of protecting this species from extension. VAWZ also distributed an extra 200 doses for vaccinating dogs on the western part of the district,” he said.
Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs, are unique to Africa and they are among this continent’s most endangered species. It is estimated that less than 7 000 remain in the wild. The Painted Dog population in Zimbabwe is one of the last strongholds of the species and we are committed to their conservation.
Dr Dube said dog owners should take a lead ensuring that their pets are in good health.
“One important thing, which dog owners have to take note of is that Government doesn’t offer vaccination programmes for canine distemper but only does that for rabies at a subsidised price of $2 because it’s a zoonotic disease, which affects people as well. It’s up to the owner to prevent their dogs against the five common diseases including canine distemper. Failure to doing so is tantamount to animal cruelty,” he said.
