BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

Pathologists at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab have identified a new strain of canine distemper virus. To date, no virus in this subgroup has been reported in domesticated dogs. The new virus has been diagnosed in eight carnivorous mammals in southeast New Hampshire and north central Vermont over a one year period. 

Canine Distemper is a morbillivirus, the same genus that includes measles. The virus is highly contagious and capable of jumping to different species. Dogs infected with the virus most often have respiratory disease with oral and nasal discharge, gastroenteritis and, eventually, neurologic disease. Distemper virus vaccine is a core vaccine in the standard protocol for domestic puppies and dogs. 

Then new strain is significantly distinct from the strains targeted by current vaccines. The virus was previously identified in a single racoon in Rhode Island in 2004. So far, animals affected include gray fox, skunk, racoon, mink and fishers. This can have a significant impact on the wild carnivores in New England. The results of these cases are published in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. Pathologists found lesions from the virus on necropsy of animals acting strangely. The samples were sent to Cornell University and the University of Georgia where the virus was isolated and sequenced. 

Although no domestic pets have been affected by the virus, this does not mean they are safe from the new strain. Researchers recommend vaccinating dogs if they are not up to date. To date, there is no word if current vaccines protect against the new strain. However, the growth of the anti-vaccine movement in veterinary medicine means that more and more owners are opting not to vaccinate their dogs with even the basic core vaccines. This puts even more dogs at risk of contracting and suffering severely from any strain of canine distemper virus.