Control of canine distemper outbreaks includes the removal of carcasses of animals which have died from the disease, vaccination of susceptible domestic species to decrease the number of susceptible hosts, and a reduction in wildlife populations which also reduces the number of potential hosts. In Michigan, die-offs of raccoons due to canine distemper occur yearly. The impact of this disease on other wildlife populations is not known at this time. Unvaccinated domestic dogs are fully susceptible to the canine distemper virus, therefore, annual vaccination is recommended . Due to the similarity of some of the clinical signs of canine distemper and rabies, affected animals should be handled with caution until a diagnosis is confirmed.
Canine distemper is of no public health significance to humans.
Feline Distemper Description Feline distemper, also called feline panleukopenia, cat plague, cat fever, feline agranulocytosis, and feline infectious enteritis, is an acute, highly infectious viral disease affecting members of the Felidae , Procyonidae and Mustelidae . Transmission and Development Feline distemper virus is shed in all body secretions and excretions of affected animals. Recovered animals may shed virus for months. Fleas and other insects, especially flies, may play a role in transmission of the disease. The route of infection is either inhalation or ingestion of infective material by a susceptible host.