Here is some general Canine Distemper info which has appeared in the
Ferret Health List to help with a specific situation. This time of
year some CD cases begin appearing, anyway, so maybe having the info
out there will help others.

I am sending two conjoined posts to Bill and if a day turns up this
Spring when there is not much FML traffic Bill can include this at
his discretion.

[Small number of posts today, though large ones, so this fits right
in. BIG]

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4304

Distemper could alternatively have been picked up at the distribution
center, from an animal or person's clothing while in transit, from an
employee, from an infected animal who entered the store, or from a
customer with the disease on his or her shoes or clothing, so there
are multiple possible routes of infection. So, it is wise to be aware
of all possible routes, and they really should be included in a post --
not only to be fair but to EDUCATE.

I've actually seen a cage-cleaner from a a regional humane shelter go
to pet stores IN HIS WORK CLOTHING AFTER A SHIFT! Really... Foolish,
right? Okay, way worse than foolish. If someone who should know better
has done it, imagine the people who don't know better -- folks who
don't vaccinate and don't understand viral shedding and that CDV can
be shed before symptoms show. Heck, it could even come in from someone
who trod in contamination and never knew it.

How did they do the aging? Size won't work; it is affected by illness
and other factors. Behavior is affected by emotional and health
factors. The sole reliable way to age a kit who is starting to get
adult teeth until all are erupted is dental:

Here are the usual approximate eruption ages of permanent teeth (when
they first start to arrive) as per _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_:

Day 50 (around 7 weeks of age): both upper and lower canines, and the
lower molar 1

Day 53 (around 7 and 1/2 weeks of age): upper molar 1

Day 60 (around 8 and 1/2 weeks): upper premolars 2-4, lower premolar 2

Day 67 (around 9 and 1/2 weeks): lower premolar 3

Day 74 (around 10 and 1/2 weeks): lower premolar 4 and molar 2

Here is what the various teeth are: The incisors are at the very front
and they are single rooted simple teeth. Moving just behind them in any
quadrant you find the canine which is single and deeply rooted, long
and spear-looking. Just behind that are the premolars. Don't let the
numbers confuse you; they reflect ancestral mammalian numbers and not
every animal species has all of them. For instance some species might
have P3 and P4 but totally lack P1 and P2. Premolars are more complex
than the teeth before them in the mouth but are not as broad or complex
as molars. Molars are the back cheek teeth. The carnassals are modified
premolars and molars used for slicing and are the teeth that say that
meat eating is done. (Despite what many folks mistakenly think quite a
number of vegetarian mammals have spear like canine teeth which are as
useful for display and defensive fighting as they are for killing or
grabbing prey.)

CDV is a terrible, terrible illness and I am so sorry that this is
occurring, no matter what the route was. If I recall the timing of
the virus this kit would have been infected shortly before or after
purchase (and remember that exposure is usually accidental and very
commonly unknown) because I think there are about two weeks before
symptoms show, but I'll have to check references to be sure. (See the
final carried past post from Dr. Williams below to learn that is not
always the case.) I do know that it has been transmitted by some of
the older vaccines (no longer used as far as I know) grown in chicken
eggs (page 310 of _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_)and by vaccine
grown in ferret tissue (also something which I think has stopped, but
I don't know for sure which is why it is so important to use the right
vaccines -- see http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG13064 ).

So, the possibilities include that:

1. someone used the wrong vaccine
or
2. there was a mislabeled vaccine
or
3. the vaccine timing was such that the ferret was left without
protection and then an exposure occurred
or
4. this is one of the very rare cases in which the vaccine did not work
for unknown reasons (usually immune suppression) and then exposure
occurred

We were just at our vet a few days ago and no mention was made about
CDV in ferret kits showing up at their hospital (central NJ); we would
have heard about that sort of thing.

ALL the past posts quoted below are from Dr. Bruce Williams since he is
also a world-renowned ferret expert veterinary pathologist and I think
he has sent in the most on this topic.

Okay, the maternal antibody duration is different than I thought:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG1573

>The maternal antibodies of any note, IgM and IgG against distemper 
>(and other diseases), are passed on only during the first 24 hours.
>The kit's stomach is programmed not to digest this protein, but to
>absorb it directly across the wall into the bloodstream but for 24
>hours only. After this, a small amount of a weak antibody known as
>IgA will continue to be passed in the milk and line the kits stomach,
>but it really poses minimal defense against distemper. After 24 -48
>hours, the acid secretion in the kits stomach kicks in, and it will
>treat maternal antibodies like any other protein and digest it.
>
>This is why: a) nursing in the first 24 hours is critical (all the
>maternal antibodies are passed in the thick colostrum in the first
>24 hours) and why b) colostrum given after 24 hours provides no
>protection.

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG1572

>Generally maternal antibody begins to wane about 4-5 weeks, but 
>there is still considerable protection at 6 weks. However, remember
>that each vaccine gives a boost to the immune protection. So the way
>vaccinations work is baby gets antibodies in milk during first 24
>hours (and minimal amounts therafter of a different, less effective
>type.) It wanes, wanes, wanes, then BOOM, at 6 weeks, the vaccine
>comes, the ferret is exposed to the virus, and the immune response
>goes higher than ever before. But as the six-week old really doesn't
>have a very effective immune system yet, it wanes, wanes, and wanes.
>So at 9 weeks we give another and BOOM! the immune response is better
>than it was after the first one. But it wanes, wanes wanes, and so at
>11-12 weeks, we give another and BOOM and so on at 16 weeks.
>
>Many ferrets only get three, so it isn't quite as strong at the end,
>but it generally does the trick very well. Each vaccine boosts the
>memory and protection of the immune system, taking it to new heights.
>
>They why do adults only get two? Well, it has to do with the maturity
>and efficiency of the immune system. Their immune system can do much
>more with a vaccine, so they don't need as many. However, if a adult
>ferret has NEVER received any shots, I have no qualms about
>recommending a three shot series. But many adults have had at least
>that first introduction as a 6 week old, so two is usually the
>standard.

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG953

>Yes - this was about seven years ago - the particular company had a
>number of problems with their products - this one caused distemper
>in dogs and of course, their ferrets. Killed all the ferrets, most
>of the puppies, and left some adults in poor shape.
>
>Author wrote:
>>Was it one of the canine combo vaccines that you have seen cause
>>clinical disease in ferrets?
>>Marc Kramer, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG948

>Post-vaccine encephalitis, while possible, is a very difficult 
>disease to prove without biopsy or autopsy material. while the time
>frame between vaccination and the onset of these signs might be
>suspicious, there has not been any definitive testing (spinal tap) or
>autopsy material to support this claim. the signs of hindlimb weakness
>and falling to the right are very non-specific, and do not even say
>encephalitis. There should be definite symptoms that indicate disease
>in the brain (circling, nystagmus, cranial nerve deficits, seizures)
>rather than those affecting the hind legs.
>
>Post-vaccinal encephalitis generally occurs in batches, and with
>distemper, you should have fairly severe signs. I can't really say
>what a "distemper survivor" looks like, as I have never seen a ferret
>that survived it. Dogs may, and often go on to live with many years
>with mild continuing signs (such as "chewing gum fits"), but you
>can't really extrapolate from that.
>
>While I know that ferrets have a number of problems associated with
>vaccines, and I have seen true cases of vaccine induced distemper in
>ferrets (which kills the ferrets just as dead as the real thing), I
>am not sure that there is enough evidence to put your little guy in
>this category.

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG13194

>Tthis is a very difficult question to answer. In previously
>vaccinated dogs, distemper vaccines may show beneficial effects in as
>little as 72 hours - but that is usually in animals which have had a
>full series of boosters and probably a couple of additional yearly
>shots.
>
>Luckily, the possibility of transmission with this set of
>circumstances are highly remote.

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG12304

includes this relevant comment:
>A pet store is a great place to get distemper if you don't already
>have it...

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG11738

>I hate to harp on this one note, but I am wondering why your vet
>doesn't biopsy the pads, periocular skin, or chin. The use of
>antibiotics may result in temporary improvement in distemper cases, as
>they support an immunesuppressed animal fight bacterial infection, but
>as other people have already pointed out, this is an animal that may
>be shedding virus into the environment. Each time this ferret comes
>into the vet clinic, it is a potential source of infection for other
>ferrets (especially kits), puppies, etc.
>
>There have been enough signs which are consistent with the most dread
>disease in ferrets to warrant more definitive diagnostics and I am at
>a loss why your vet is not pursuing them more aggressively. This is
>not a disease that you take a "wait and see" attitude with. Distemper
>is one that you want to get that negative biopsy report back as
>quickly as possible (fingers crossed.)

WHEW! I DON'T HAVE TO DIG IN THE VET TEXTS OR EVEN LOOK BEYOND DR. 
WILLIAMS' PAST POSTS BECAUSE HERE IS THE TIMING ANSWER:

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG8154

>Many cases of distemper become evident in 13 days, but not all. Non-
>ferret adapted strains may take up to 45 days to become evident based
>on clinical signs. Antibody titers will generally show exposure within
>2-4 weeks, but are often not cost effective.
>
>I would be very careful taking ferrets from someone with a history
>of distemper in the facility, in spite of all assurances, and would
>suggest that a quarantine run the full 45 days. Also, I would strongly
>recommend that you check into the new Merial Purevax vaccine for your
>four old-timers, epsecially in light of this new development.
>
>Ultraviolet lights in my experience are not especially effective in
>decreasing pathogens, and many bacteria and viruses in facilities tend
>to hide in moist cracks and crevices, away from their effects. Routine
>disinfection of bowls, cages, etc. with a virucidal cleaner such as
>Parvocide or Rocal will help; however the best advice is that people
>who rescue raccoons stick to raccoons. The only case of rabies in a
>mustelid that I ever saw (it was actually a mink, not a ferret) was
>contracted from wild raccoons. Using the same cages for raccoons and
>ferrets (at different times of course) is a risky business.
>
>With kindest regards,
>
>Bruce Williams, DVM

http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL4305

Don't forget Liz's reminder that this has not yet been checked to be
sure it is Canine Distemper. Also, notice from the timing that the
infection of this individual could have occurred practically anywhere
along the chain with unknown accidental exposure

home (2 weeks before symptoms, carried in)

store (other animals, carried in by workers, carried in by customers)

transportation from distribution center (other animals, carried in by
workers)

distribution center (other animals, carried in by workers)

transportation from farm to distribution center (same as above)

farm (same as above)

Notice that the timing is often about 2 weeks, but can be as long as
about 7 weeks after exposure.

I thought that I had read that other ferrets were involved, but on
re-reading the original I don't find that, so one way or another I am
missing something, saw something later (which is hopefully not rumor
but verified update), or I simply misread and it is a sole case.


Starting in early Spring each year there is ALWAYS a rash of private
letters about unvaccinated ferrets who have gotten canine distemper.
Most don't go public. Some years, like last years in my own pers. coms.
there are fewer, but some years there are way, way too many. That is a
different situation but an important one to remember.

CD is a morbillivirus (a measles relative) and that reminds me that
there was a study in which ribavirin helped. Let me see if it is in
Pub Med

BEGIN QUOTE
Antiviral Res. 2008 Feb;77(2):108-13. Epub 2007 Oct 8. Links
In vitro efficacy of ribavirin against canine distemper virus.

Elia G, Belloli C, Cirone F, Lucente MS, Caruso M, Martella V, 
Decaro N, Buonavoglia C, Ormas P.

Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary 
Medicine of Bari, S.p. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari,
Italy.

Despite vaccination, canine distemper virus (CDV) remains one of the
important pathogen of dogs with worldwide distribution. Ribavirin (RIB)
inhibits replication of measles virus (MV), a morbillivirus closely
related to CDV, both in vitro and in vivo. In this report the antiviral
activity of RIB against CDV in cell cultures was assessed. Quantitative
real-time RT-PCR was used to measure viral RNA in VERO cells infected
by CDV and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of RIB. RIB caused a
dose- and time-dependent decrease in accumulation of CDV RNA when
added after virus adsorption. RIB was highly effective in preventing
CDV replication at low concentrations with 50% virus-inhibitory
concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.05mM. Such low values were
comparable to values displayed by highly susceptible strains of MV. In
addition, CDV was passaged sequentially in VERO cell monolayers in the
presence of RIB to trigger viral extinction. The virus was no longer
detected after three passages, suggesting that error catastrophe is
one of the modes of action of RIB against CDV. These findings suggest
RIB as a promising tool for the therapy of CD in dogs.
PMID: 17949825 [PubMed - in process]
END QUOTE

Transmission: direct contact, aerosol (like from a cough or sneeze),
or from something contaminated by feces, urine, affected skin, nasal
mucus, eye exudates, etc. On page 355 of _Biology and Diseases of the
Ferret, 2nd ed._ it also says that it MIGHT be possible for some blood
sucking insects to transmit it if they switch animals in short enough
time but that had not been demonstrated.

The ferrets are contagious before they show symptoms and the virus can
hang around in places.

Symptoms:

After incubation of 7-10 days in the study(ies) quoted in the vet text
mentioned: anorexia, pyrexia, blinking of eyes as if photosensitive,
serious nasal discharge

Temp may be as high as 41'C (compared to normal range of 37.7
to 39.1'C)

Erythematous rash, pruritic rash usually first on chin

The rash may become secondarily infected and look orange

"The catarrhal of CDV worsens when the nasal-ocular exudate becomes
mucopurulent and develops into a brown, encrusted material surrounding
the lips, nose, chin, and eyes; the eyelids usually stick shut.

Hyerkeratosis of the foot pads happens inconsistently.

Secondary bacterial infections may occur

Dark, tarry feces may at times occur as the disease advances.

Bosy temperature falls before death.

Ferrets who live long enough through those earlier and life threatening
phases develop CNS (Central Nervous System)
symptoms: hyperexcitability, excessive salivation, muscular tremors,
convulsions, and coma.

If I misread any of that then those who know better should note
corrections.

Sorry about lacking the time to post definitions of the medical terms
but I know people here will look up what they want to learn about,
anyway, and there are veterinary and medical dictionary links in the
links at the FHL

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5913]