Canine Distemper: A Silent but Serious Threat to Dogs

Canine distemper (CD) is one of the deadliest diseases of dogs, second only to rabies in its impact. It is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV) (Figure 1.), a highly contagious pathogen that not only affects domestic dogs but also wild carnivores such as foxes, jackals, raccoons, and even big cats. Because of this wide host range, distemper is a threat both to pet health and to biodiversity