Mary Allen
Introduction: What is the Canine Distemper Virus?
The Canine Distemper Virus is a contagious and often fatal disease that affects dogs and other animals such as ferrets, foxes, and raccoons. It is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae. The virus is highly contagious and can be spread through direct contact with infected animals, airborne droplets, or contaminated objects. The disease affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of the infected animals and can lead to a range of symptoms, including fever, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and paralysis.
Early Studies on Canine Distemper
The first reports of canine distemper date back to the 18th century, but it was not until the early 20th century that the disease was recognized as a distinct viral infection. In the 1920s, researchers began to study the disease in dogs and other animals, but progress was slow due to the lack of tools and techniques for studying viruses. The early studies focused on identifying the clinical symptoms of the disease and testing various treatments, including serum therapy and vaccines. However, the cause of the disease remained unknown for many years.