Office warns dog owners of distemper virus – Liechtenstein
VADUZ – The distemper virus is currently rampant in foxes, badgers and martens. The affected wild animals are no longer shy and often have movement disorders. The Food Control and Veterinary Office (ALKVW) warns that unvaccinated dogs are also susceptible to the disease. Dog owners are therefore strongly recommended to have their pet vaccinated. Also, they should not leave their dogs unattended outdoors and avoid contact with wild animals, living and dead.
The incubation period for the distemper virus is three to seven days. Infected dogs show symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, nasal discharge and conjunctivitis. You can get infected through direct contact, but also indirectly through the intake of infected food or water, the ALKVW announced on Thursday. Distemper disease can vary in severity in dogs depending on the immune status. If the nervous system is affected, according to the transmission, signs of a brain disease appear. In cases of this kind, the chance of survival is very low or there is permanent nerve damage (distemper tic).
Since the beginning of this year, the distemper virus has already been detected in a badger, two martens and two foxes. It is transmitted via the saliva, nasal and eye secretions, faeces and urine of sick animals and healthy long-term excretors.
