Canine distemper in a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous, Linnaeus, 1766) in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Canine distemper, caused by the virus of the genus Morbillivirus (family Paramyxoviridae), affects domestic and wild hosts. The crab-eating-fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a susceptible wild canid and a possible reservoir of the disease. This report described clinical signs, complementary exams and necropsy findings in a free-ranging adult male infected with the virus in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The animal was brought to the Núcleo de Estudos em Vida Selvagem at Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina showing apathy, dehydration, purulent eye secretion and motor incoordination. The following day the patient died due to cardiorespiratory arrest. Blood tests showed normocytic normochromic anemia, degenerative left shift, lymphopenia, monocytosis and hypoalbuminemia, while thoracic radiography demonstrated bronchopneumonia. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed by an immunochromatographic assay test to detect the viral protein. The animal suffered sudden death, presenting clinical, complementary exam and necropsy results similar to domestic dogs with canine distemper. Disease prevention involves implementing biosecurity measures and vaccinating domestic dogs. The description of this case is essential for monitoring the disease in wild animals, as they can become reservoirs leading to numerous interspecies infections, posing a risk to the conservation of several susceptible wild species.