Clinical Observation on Canine Distemper Inclusion Bodies

I. Detection of Inclusion Bodies from Conjunctival Nasal and Labial Mucous Membranes in Naturally Infected Dogs

Abstract

Studies were performed to clarify whether or not detection of inclusion bodies from dogs naturally infected with distemper had any value of clinical application to the diagnosis of canine distemper. Specimens were collected by curettage from the mucous membranes of the conjuctiva, nasal cavity, cheek, tongue, vagina, and prepuce of the penis, and examined for the presence of inclusion bodies. The results obtained are as follows.
1. In 74 (86.0 percent) of 86 dogs studied, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were detected from at least one of the specimens collected from the five localities. This indicates that the detection of inclusion bodies is of great practical value in the clinical diagnosis of canine distemper.
2. The locality or localities from which inclusion bodies were detected varied greatly according to individuals.
Any significant differences were hardly observed in frequency of detection among the localities examined from a stochastic point of view. Therefore, it is recommended that specimens for detection be collected from as many localities of the body as possible.
3. No differences were present in the rate of detection of inclusion bodies among dogs which were within about 20 days after the onset of clinical symptoms of distemper.