Searching for canine distemper in dogs living around Chitwan National Park

Aug 30, 2016

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Searching for canine distemper in dogs living around Chitwan National Park                
 
 
Dr. McCauley, Dr. Subedi and Nepalese veterinary students take blood samples to test dogs for canine distemper virus antibodies.  We found overall that 27% of all dogs sampled had positive antibody titers to canine distemper virus. Positive titers ranged from 1:16 to 1:512. 
We have successfully proven that canine distemper is present in dogs living near ChitwanNational Park and continue tobe concerned that this disease may pose a threat to endangered carnivorespecies.  

Canine Distemper... can a dog di...

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Canine Distemper

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Cindy WuBacker

Do dogs in other parts of the world also get canine distemper virus? Or is this unique to Nepal?

Sep 28, 20160

Gretchen E. KaufmanResearcher

Cindy, Canine distemper virus is found EVERYWHERE that dogs are found, all over the world. For any of you that have dogs as pets, this virus is one that is included in your routine vaccinations. It is related to measles virus in humans and is an equally devastating and serious disease for dogs and other carnivores worldwide.

Sep 28, 20160

About This Project

Are endangered tigers in Nepal threatened by diseases from dogs and cats?

Veterinary Initiative for Endangered Wildlife

Through our wildlife health work in Nepal, we have seen sick tigers that show symptoms similar to canine distemper virus, a common dog disease. We have already demonstrated that dogs living around Chitwan National Park, the home of most of Nepal's tigers, have this disease. We want to test healthy and sick tigers in Nepal for common dog and cat diseases, to see if these diseases might be a significant threat to their recovery and long term survival.