Ocorrência de cinomose canina no município de Guarabira-Paraíba

Abstract

Canine canine distemper is a serious infectious disease that affects mainly domestic dogs, caused by a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus of the Paramyxoviridae family. Its transmission occurs through inhalation of aerosols and is directly related to bodily excretions. The main systems affected are nervous, ophthalmic, respiratory, gastrointestinal and integumentary. Diagnosis can be made mainly from clinical exams associated with complementary exams. The objective of this study was to survey data on the occurrence of distemper in dogs treated in veterinary clinics and offices in the city of Guarabira, Paraíba state, and to assess the degree of knowledge of dog tutors about this disease. A total of 1,918 records of clinical consultations of dogs were reviewed, from January 2020 to October 2021. Of the total number of medical records reviewed, 187 (9.8%) dogs were diagnosed with canine distemper, with 103 (55%) diagnosed by clinical means and, 84 (45%) by immunochromatography (rapid test), of these 76 (90.5%) were positive. Regarding breed, 128 (68.4%) were of mixed breed dogs. Regarding age and sex, 90 (48.1%) of the dogs were up to 1 year old, 103 (55%) were male dogs. 102 (54.5%) of cases were not vaccinated, however, 85 (45.5%) of cases occurred in vaccinated animals. It was observed that the months of May to September were the months with the highest occurrence 30 (16%), 48 (25.7%), 51 (27.3%), 29 (15.6%), 19 (10,1%), respectively. The systems with the highest occurrences of clinical signs were: ophthalmic 130 (69.6%), nervous 104 (55.6%), respiratory 78 (41.7%), gastrointestinal 62 (33.1%) and integumentary 23 (12 .3%). Regarding the outcome of cases, 46 (24%) were euthanized, 36 (19.2%) died from the disease, 42 (22.5%) recovered, 63 (33.7%) did not report what had happened. It was observed that of the 50 dog tutors interviewed, 37 (74%) had no knowledge about distemper, 40 (80%) did not know how to prevent it, 35 (70%) did not vaccinate their dogs against distemper. When analyzing the data, it is noticed a great lack of information about the canine distemper disease in the city of Guarabira/PB, which indicates the need for educational actions to promote the knowledge of tutors in relation to the vaccination of the dog population.