@article{article_1621987, title={Canine Distemper Virus Infection in Shelter Dogs Presenting Clinical Signs: Prevalence and Risk Factors}, journal={Van Veterinary Journal}, volume={36}, pages={65–70}, year={2025}, DOI={10.36483/vanvetj.1621987}, author={Ulaş, Nergis and Zengin, Kübra and Aydın, Hakan and Timurkan, Mehmet Ozkan and Bostan Yörü, Hayrunnisa}, keywords={Distemper virüs, Korunma, Prevalans, Risk faktörleri}, abstract={Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection is an important disease effecting dogs in worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection, which is a globally important disease, in dogs with clinical signs in an animal shelter in Erzurum and the risk factors associated with age and gender. 119 unvaccinated dogs of various ages living in the Erzurum animal shelter were included in this study (74 females and 45 males). Each animal’s clinical symptoms were recorded, and then blood samples, nasal, ocular, and rectal swab samples were taken. The canine distemper virus (CDV) was then assessed using RT-PCR. The analysis of conjunctival, nasal, and rectal swabs as well as blood samples revealed that 18 out of 119 dogs (15.1%) tested positive for CDV. With 13 of the 74 female dogs and 5 of the 45 male dogs testing positive, the results indicated no significant correlation (p=0.434) between gender and CDV prevalence. Ten (19.6%) of the 51 dogs under a year-old and eight (11.8%) of the 68 dogs over a year-old tested positive for CDV (p=0.303). Clinically, CDV PCR results were statistically significant in 31% of dogs with a cough (p=0.014) and in 27.9% of dogs with ocular discharge (p=0.006). As a result, the total prevalence rate was 15.1% in dogs presenting one of the clinical signs of distemper in a crowded animal shelter. One of the leading risk factors may be related to the housing conditions in the animal shelter. Effective preventive measures should be implemented in the management of the transmission.}, number={2}, publisher={Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi}, organization={Atatürk University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Office}