Botswana: Wildlife Vulnerable to Canine Distemper Disease

Maranyane Ngwanaamotho

15 February 2010

It has been warned that wildlife especially the cat and dog families are at a risk of being infected with a disease animal called Canine Distemper.

This disease is currently prevalent in the Chobe District. When speaking to Monitor on Friday, Principal Wildlife Officer, Phemelo Gadimang said that there is nothing that can be done about the situation, as animal movement is not easy to control. "We can only support the Veterinary Department to control the disease in the villages and hope that wild animals do not get infected," he said.
He however stressed that at the moment there are no reported cases of animals having the disease.

This disease has attacked dogs in Kasane and veterinary officers have swung into action, shooting and burning all dogs that have been infected. It was said that stray dogs make it difficult to control the disease and might even infect wild animals that stray into villages at night.

"Hyenas and jackals move into villages at night while dogs wander in to bushes. These movements cannot be controlled and wild animals are therefore likely to get infected," he said.

It was indicated in the Mmegi last Friday issue that signs of the disease are anorexia, runny nose and discharge from the eyes. About 10 days after the initial signs gastrointestinal and respiratory signs tends to follow and later neurological signs and thickening of footpads appears. There is also vomiting and diarrhoea, dehydration, excessive salvation, coughing and laboured breathing, loss of appetite and weight.
An infected animal develops localised involuntary twitching of muscles or groups of muscles, seizures often distinguished by salivation and jaw movements. Other signs include incoordination, circling, and increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as pain or touch. When the neurological signs develop, urination and defecation might become involuntary. Infected animals end up dying in a few days.