Pathophysiology of involuntary clonic tonic contraction distemper

Abstract

The distemper caused by canine distemper virus (VCC), family Paramyxoviridae is a highly contagious disease, where the dog is the main reservoir. Has a high mortality rate and generates eye disorders, respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, resulting in progressive multifocal demyelinating disease. Affects dogs of any age, race, gender and preference for pups. Distemper can be diagnosed by laboratory by viewing Lenz's inclusion corpuscles in blood smears, in CSF and impressions of the nasal mucosa, preputial, particularly vaginal and conjunctival. Its symptoms are diverse, and often severe, such as psychological disorders, tonic-clonic contractions, local myoclonus and ataxia. This is characterized by repetitive contraction of a muscle or one or more muscle groups, mainly involving the muscles of mastication and appendicular. The pathognomonic sign of the disease may occur during the acute phase of disease, usually associated with lesions in the basal ganglia, but is most frequently observed in the chronic phase, related to the hyperexcitability of the lower motor neurons, being reported more frequently in chronic cases of myoclonus . The prognosis for resolution of the myoclonus is severe. There is no medicine everyday to control the signals. If the animal is severe myoclonus is often sacrificed. In less severe cases the dog may be kept as a pet, but the myoclonus usually persists for several years.