Infectious diseases Mammals Flashcards
What is the importance of wildlife disease?
Threat to native wildlife population, impact on domestic animals, zoonotic potential, economic importance
How can you tell if a virus is rabies by looking at the virus itself?
It is the only bullet shaped virus
Who are the hosts of rabies virus?
All mammals are susceptible to virus (in wildlife reservoirs in US are omnivores and carnivores)
There are two types of clinical signs of rabies, which one is described as aimless wandering, lethargy, incoordination, weakness in hindlegs, paralysis, loss of awarness?
Dumb rabies
There are two types of clinical signs of rabies, which one is described as vicious attacks and self mutilation?
Furious
There are two types of clinical signs of rabies, which one will end in convulsions, coma and death?
Both the dumb and furious forms
Can rabies persist outside of the host?
No
What are the three ways it is hypothesized that rabies has gets transfered?
Saliva contact, aerosol, organ transplant
(T/F) After 10 days it is safe to say that a wild animal does not have rabies because it spreads rapidly from site of entry to CNS within axons and peripheral nerves.
False – incubation varies from days to years (the other part is true)
Where does the rabies vaccine have to contact in wild animals for it to have an effect?
Oral or pharyngeal mucosa (except skunks, they are refractory to vaccine)
Since Canine distemper attacks cells of respiratory tract, Gi tract and the eyes what tissues does it affect?
Epitheloal cells – Epitheliotropic
In what three wild species is distemper important?
Raccoons, gray foxes, coyotes (skunks and otters are susceptible but prevalence unknown)
What 4 systems in the body does distemper affect?
Respiratory, GI, Neurologic, Dermatologic
What 4 diagnostic tests can be performed to find out if a wild animal has distemper?
Serology, histopathology, virus isolation, FAT
Can distemper virus survive in the environment for a long time?
No
How long is the incubation of distemper?
14-18 days (lymphatic tissues of resp tract)
In a delayed onset of immune response against distemper, it can lead to subacute disease characterized by…
Encephalitis or persistent infection
Are there distemper vaccines for wildlife?
Yes but they are modified live so they are controversial