Carré's disease

This disease is caused by a virus close to the measles virus that affects mainly all canids (dogs, foxes ...) and mustelids (ferrets, weasels, ...). This virus is very resistant in the environment. Contagion is principally dog dog. It is therefore a disease found in livestock. The young dogs are much more sensitive. What are the symptoms? They are diverse because the virus can address the different devices: Respiratory: cough, runny nose (clear or purulent), trouble breathing. Do not confuse these with kennel cough (see health kennel cough in dogs), Digestive: diarrhea, vomiting, Skin: This form has become rare nowadays. There is talk of "hard pad disease" (truffles and the pads harden) or "rash" (appearance of buttons and red spots on the body). Eye: conjunctivitis (red eye, tearing) syndrome dry eye (tear production significantly reduced making the eye more fragile, and possibly the development of ulcers). There is sometimes an infringement of the retina (with loss of vision). nervous: nervous journeys are painful. It may have epilepsy or other nervous system (paralysis, meningitis, tremors, abnormal head port ...) General: fever, abatement, anorexia. Diagnosis The diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are varied and non-specific. A blood test will, on the non-vaccinated animals or living in farming, to search for inclusions called body Lentz (inclusions are also found in the eye) or antibodies. These tests are difficult and are not absolute certainty: the diagnosis is made primarily by the elimination of other hypotheses, and the presence of several symptoms. Treatment It is not always effective because death usually occurs quickly when the disease is reported. Some animals can be cured, but they often maintain nerve sequelae (seizures, tremors ...). How to avoid the disease? The best way is immunization. It consists of two injections at one month intervals from the age of seven weeks, with an annual or biennial. The protection provided is very effective. Avoid contact with sick or suspect animals, especially in puppies new or incompletely immunized (having received a single injection), and whose protection is not sufficient. Finally do not forget to regularly recalls vaccine for the life of the dog, because when your pet gets older, it becomes again more susceptible to the disease. Informations légales Carré's disease is listed as prohibitive defects in dogs (Act of 22/06/89). The deadline for rédhibition is set at thirty days, if and only if a certificate of suspicion is written by a vet less than eight days after purchase. If in doubt after buying a puppy, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian promptly. He will, if necessary, the certificate of suspicion within the legal deadline. Conclusion Responsible for thousands of deaths in 70 years, the canine disease is a serious disease fortunately well controlled through vaccination. Any appearance in a newly purchased puppy, symptoms described in this document should lead to a visit to the veterinarian at the earliest