Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Shelter Dogs Presenting Clinical Signs: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Nergis Ulaş; Hakan Aydın; Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan; Hayrunnisa Bostan Yörü

Article Details

Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Shelter Dogs Presenting Clinical Signs: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Authors:

Nergis Ulaş | Hakan Aydın | Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan | Hayrunnisa Bostan Yörü

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Veteriner İç Hastalıkları

Journal:

Van Veterinary Journal Vol.36 Issue 2, pp.65-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355480

pISSN:

2149-3359

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Canine distemper virus CDV infection is an important disease effecting dogs in worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of canine distemper virus CDV infection, which is a globally important disease, in dogs with clinical signs in an animal shelter in Erzurum and the risk factors associated with age and gender. 119 unvaccinated dogs of various ages living in the Erzurum animal shelter were included in this study 74 females and 45 males. Each animals clinical symptoms were recorded, and then blood samples, nasal, ocular, and rectal swab samples were taken. The canine distemper virus CDV was then assessed using RT-PCR. The analysis of conjunctival, nasal, and rectal swabs as well as blood samples revealed that 18 out of 119 dogs 15.1 tested positive for CDV. With 13 of the 74 female dogs and 5 of the 45 male dogs testing positive, the results indicated no significant correlation p0.434 between gender and CDV prevalence. Ten 19.6 of the 51 dogs under a year-old and eight 11.8 of the 68 dogs over a year-old tested positive for CDV p0.303. Clinically, CDV PCR results were statistically significant in 31 of dogs with a cough p0.014 and in 27.9 of dogs with ocular discharge p0.006. As a result, the total prevalence rate was 15.1 in dogs presenting one of the clinical signs of distemper in a crowded animal shelter. One of the leading risk factors may be related to the housing conditions in the animal shelter. Effective preventive measures should be implemented in the management of the transmission.

 Canine distemper virus CDV infection is an important disease effecting dogs in worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of canine distemper virus CDV infection, which is a globally important disease, in dogs with clinical signs in an animal shelter in Erzurum and the risk factors associated with age and gender. 119 unvaccinated dogs of various ages living in the Erzurum animal shelter were included in this study 74 females and 45 males. Each animals clinical symptoms were recorded, and then blood samples, nasal, ocular, and rectal swab samples were taken. The canine distemper virus CDV was then assessed using RT-PCR. The analysis of conjunctival, nasal, and rectal swabs as well as blood samples revealed that 18 out of 119 dogs 15.1 tested positive for CDV. With 13 of the 74 female dogs and 5 of the 45 male dogs testing positive, the results indicated no significant correlation p0.434 between gender and CDV prevalence. Ten 19.6 of the 51 dogs under a year-old and eight 11.8 of the 68 dogs over a year-old tested positive for CDV p0.303. Clinically, CDV PCR results were statistically significant in 31 of dogs with a cough p0.014 and in 27.9 of dogs with ocular discharge p0.006. As a result, the total prevalence rate was 15.1 in dogs presenting one of the clinical signs of distemper in a crowded animal shelter. One of the leading risk factors may be related to the housing conditions in the animal shelter. Effective preventive measures should be implemented in the management of the transmission.

 Canine distemper virus CDV infection is an important disease effecting dogs in worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of canine distemper virus CDV infection, which is a globally important disease, in dogs with clinical signs in an animal shelter in Erzurum and the risk factors associated with age and gender. 119 unvaccinated dogs of various ages living in the Erzurum animal shelter were included in this study 74 females and 45 males. Each animals clinical symptoms were recorded, and then blood samples, nasal, ocular, and rectal swab samples were taken. The canine distemper virus CDV was then assessed using RT-PCR. The analysis of conjunctival, nasal, and rectal swabs as well as blood samples revealed that 18 out of 119 dogs 15.1 tested positive for CDV. With 13 of the 74 female dogs and 5 of the 45 male dogs testing positive, the results indicated no significant correlation p0.434 between gender and CDV prevalence. Ten 19.6 of the 51 dogs under a year-old and eight 11.8 of the 68 dogs over a year-old tested positive for CDV p0.303. Clinically, CDV PCR results were statistically significant in 31 of dogs with a cough p0.014 and in 27.9 of dogs with ocular discharge p0.006. As a result, the total prevalence rate was 15.1 in dogs presenting one of the clinical signs of distemper in a crowded animal shelter. One of the leading risk factors may be related to the housing conditions in the animal shelter. Effective preventive measures should be implemented in the management of the transmission.

 Canine distemper virus CDV enfeksiyonu tüm dünyada köpekleri etkileyen önemli bir hastalıktır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Erzurum hayvan barınağında klinik belirtileri olan köpeklerde küresel olarak önemli bir hastalık olan canine distemper virus CDV enfeksiyonunun prevalansını ve yaş ve cinsiyet ile ilişkili risk faktörlerini araştırmaktır. Erzurum hayvan barınağında yaşayan çeşitli yaşlarda 119 aşısız köpek bu çalışmaya dahil edildi 74 dişi ve 45 erkek. Her hayvanın klinik semptomları kaydedildi ve ardından kan örnekleri, burun, oküler ve rektal sürüntü örnekleri alındı. Canine distemper virus CDV, RT-PCR kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Konjonktival, nazal ve rektal sürüntü örneklerinin yanı sıra kan örneklerinin analizi, 119 köpekten 18inin 15.1 CDV için pozitif olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Test edilen 74 dişi köpekten 13ü ve 45 erkek köpekten 5i pozitif çıkarken, sonuçlar cinsiyet ile CDV prevalansı arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon p0.434 olmadığını göstermiştir. Bir yaşından küçük 51 köpeğin onunda 19.6 ve bir yaşından büyük 68 köpeğin sekizinde 11.8 CDV testi pozitif çıkmıştır p0.303. Klinik olarak, CDV PCR sonuçları öksürüğü olan köpeklerin 31inde p0.014 ve göz akıntısı olan köpeklerin 27.9unda p0.006 istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, kalabalık bir hayvan barınağında distemper klinik belirtilerinden birini gösteren köpeklerde toplam prevalans oranı 15.1dir. Önde gelen risk faktörlerinden biri, hayvan barınağındaki barınma koşullarıyla ilişkili olabilir. Bulaşmanın yönetiminde etkili önleyici tedbirler uygulanmalıdır.

Article Details

Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Shelter Dogs Presenting Clinical Signs: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Authors:

Nergis Ulaş | Hakan Aydın | Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan | Hayrunnisa Bostan Yörü

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Veteriner İç Hastalıkları

Journal:

Van Veterinary Journal Vol.36 Issue 2, pp.65-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355480

pISSN:

2149-3359

Distemper virus

prevalence

prevention

risk factorsDistemper virüs

Korunma

Prevalans

Risk faktörleri

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Nergis Ulaş | Hakan Aydın | Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan | Hayrunnisa Bostan Yörü

Publisher: Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics: Veteriner İç Hastalıkları

Journal: Van Veterinary Journal Vol.36 Issue 2, pp.65-70

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 7/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001355480

pISSN: 2149-3359

Issues

Authors:

Nergis Ulaş | Hakan Aydın | Mehmet Ozkan Timurkan | Hayrunnisa Bostan Yörü

Publisher:

Van Yuzuncu Yıl University

Main Topics:

Veteriner İç Hastalıkları

Journal:

Van Veterinary Journal Vol.36 Issue 2, pp.65-70

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

7/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001355480

pISSN:

2149-3359