An Overview of Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV). Prior to the arrival of canine parvovirus, CDV was unquestionably the most feared disease seen in domestic canines. This is a highly contagious, largely incurable, and often fatal disease that attacks the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and, most devastatingly, the central nervous system (CNS).

How Canine Distemper Virus Jumps Across Species

ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2007) — Researchers at the University of Leeds have made a breakthrough in understanding a virus which poses one of the greatest global disease threats to wild carnivores including lions, African wild dogs and several types of seal

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1025094914.htm

Canine distemper is estimated to be fatal in 50% of cases affecting adult dogs, and in 80% of cases affecting puppies. When the virus does prove fatal, death is usually a result of damage to the nervous system and ensuing complications such as seizures

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