Clinical characterization of the canine distemper in two municipalities of Havana

Abstract

The present work was carried out in order to determine the main clinical manifestations of the canine distemper in two municipalities of Havana. Data   coming from the consultation  registrations in the municipalities San Miguel del Padrón and Cotorro were processed. Thermometry and hematological analyses were carried out. The frequency of presenting symptoms, race, age, sex, access to the streets, and vaccination scheme was determined. Two groups were conformed; Group A:  dogs with less than 10  days of presenting  signs compatible to the disease,  and Group B: dogs with more than 10 days of presenting clinical signs compatible to the disease. The disease occurred with same frequency in animals of the three age ranges (≤ 1 year ≥  2 ≤  4 years and ≥ 5 years). Of the 21 cases of Canine distemper, 67 % corresponded to males, which were statistically superior to the females (p≤0,05). The 67% of the cases had access to the streets, being significant superior (p≤ 0,05) to those that did not have. A high proportion of the disease was observed (0,95) in the non-vaccinated dogs, statistically different (p≤0,001) from those vaccinated. The 81% of the cases presented several symptoms (more than four) and, of all, respiratory symptoms ranked first (90,5 %). When comparing the two groups, no differences were found between the average values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, total leukocytes, and platelet count. The most frequent alterations of the hemogram were the presence of anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Based on these results, there is new knowledge about the main clinical signs present in animals with canine distemper under the studied conditions. 

Keywords: canine distemper, clinical symptoms, presentation frequency.