Wolf (Canis lupus)

[TheNormalGuy]

Diseases and potential diseases in wolves

- Canine Parvovirus

Quote:Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is an infectious disease that was first recognized in dogs in 1978.

In addition to domestic dogs and cats, CPV may also infect many wild species including coyote, fox, wolf, mountain lion, lynx, raccoon and ferret. All wolves tested in Montana during the past two years (100%) have been exposed to CPV and there is no current evidence to suggest that the virus is a significant mortality factor in Montana. Canine parvovirus is of no public health significance to humans.

Canine Parvovirus is a disease that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and, consequently, dehydration. Its origins are unknown, but it may have arisen from a mutation of a similar virus in nature, e.g., a wild carnivore such as the European red fox. CPV was common in dogs by 1980 and first appeared in wild wolves shortly afterwards. Widespread vaccination programs have helped in the control of this disease in domestic animals.

NOTE : CPV is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces.

- Canine Distemper (Viral)

Quote:CDV is a widespread, highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild carnivores including dog, fox, coyote, wolf, raccoon, ferret and skunk.

Mortality following infection tends to be higher in juveniles than in adults. CDV is very resistant to cold and the majority of distemper cases in domestic dogs are seen in the fall and winter. In Montana, die-offs of raccoons due to canine distemper occur yearly and since juveniles are more susceptible to infection, the majority of clinical cases are seen in the spring and summer. Canine distemper is of no public health significance to humans.

The usual route of infection is through the upper respiratory tract, following inhalation of infective virus. Occasionally, infection follows ingestion of infective material. Canine distemper affects the skin, eye membranes, intestinal tract, and sometimes the teeth, footpads or brain of susceptible animals. Initial symptoms include fever, loss of appetite and discharge from the eyes or nose. Diarrhea follows, which will usually cause dehydration. Seizures and death may follow.

Distemper in domestic dogs is now relatively uncommon as a result of widespread vaccination programs but remains common in raccoons and skunks in Montana. Despite broad exposure (based on serologic evidence), clinical disease appears to be rare in wild wolves. In the 1980’s the disease was believed to be the cause of pup mortality in northwestern Montana.

-------------

*This image is copyright of its original author

Italian wolf in advanced stage of infection.

From wikipedia. There is a video of the poor wolf. It is very very very hard to watch.

--------------

A dog that survives distemper continues to have both non-life-threatening and life-threatening signs throughout its lifespan. Few survives the systemic phase (which last around 10 days) of the disease.

-----------

In Europe, the first report of canine distemper occurred in Spain in 1761
-----------
The Alpha Male of Lamar Canyon Pack in Yellowstone National Park (Wolf 949M) died of canine distemper. He stayed mostly bedded near a bison carcass from August 14th to 24th 2017. 

- Canine Adenovirus

Quote:Canine adenovirus is the cause of infectious canine hepatitis, a severe disease affecting domestic dogs. Other carnivore species including fox, coyote, wolf and bear may be susceptible to infection. Seventy six [76%] percent of wolves tested in Montana during the past two years [2004-2006] show evidence of exposure to this virus but there are no reports that describe clinical disease in wolves as is seen in susceptible dogs. Canine adenovirus is of no public health significance to humans.

Although clinical disease (signs vary from slight fever to death) in domestic dogs is rare as a result of widespread vaccination programs, recovered dogs may serve as a source of infection for up to 6 months post recovery and may shed virus into the environment.

Transmission occurs through ingestion of urine, feces, and saliva however, the virus is stable for long periods of time in the environment and direct contact with a sick animal is not necessary for infection to occur.

- Leptospirosis

Quote:Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira.[8] Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, muscle pains, and fevers) to severe (bleeding in the lungs or meningitis).[5] Weil's disease, the acute, severe form of leptospirosis, causes the infected individual to become jaundiced (skin and eyes become yellow), develop kidney failure, and bleed.[6] Bleeding from the lungs associated with leptospirosis is known as "severe pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome".[5]

More than ten genetic types of Leptospira cause disease in humans.[12] Both wild and domestic animals can spread the disease, most commonly rodents.[8] The bacteria are spread to humans through animal urine, or water and soil contaminated with animal urine, coming into contact with the eyes, mouth, nose or breaks in the skin.[8]

Leptospirosis is caused by spirochaete bacteria that belong to the genus Leptospira, which are aerobic,[8] right-handed helical,[12] and 6 –20 micrometers long.

The bacteria can be found in ponds, rivers, puddles, sewers, agricultural fields and moist soil.[7] Pathogenic Leptospira have been found in the form of aquatic biofilms, which may aid survival in the environment.[24]

The number of cases of leptospirosis is directly related to the amount of rainfall.

Infected animals can have no, mild, or severe symptoms;[56] the presenting symptoms may vary by the type of animal.[15][56] In some animals the bacteria live in the reproductive tract, leading to transmission during mating.

In dogs, the acute clinical signs include fever, loss of appetite, shivering, muscle pain, weakness, and urinary symptoms. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain may also present. Petechiae and ecchymoses may be seen on mucous membranes. Bleeding from the lungs may also be seen in dogs. In chronic presentations, the affected dog may have no symptoms. In animals that have died of leptospirosis, their kidneys may be swollen with grey and white spots, mottling, or scarring. Their liver may be enlarged with areas of cell death. Petechiae and ecchymoses may be found in various organs.[23][57] Inflammation of the blood vessels, inflammation of the heart, meningeal layers covering the brain and spinal cord, and uveitis are also possible.[15] Risk of death or disability in animals varies depending upon the species and age of the animals.

*This image is copyright of its original author

"Lungs of a canine with multiple bleeding spots due to leptospirosis."

Credit : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States

This image depicts the mediastinum and two lungs extracted from a deceased canine, which had succumbed to a case of leptospirosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Note the pinpoint, or petechial hemorrhages, as well as frank pulmonary hemorrhages throughout the lung tissue.

Wikipédia


- Sarcoptic Mange (Sarcoptes scabeii)

Quote:Mange is caused by an external mite that burrows into the wolf’s skin causing, irritation, hair loss, lesions and scabs. In advanced cases, it can be fatal because of a chronically weakened immune system, secondary infections, or even hypothermia due to hair loss.

The mite is spread by direct body contact with an infected animal or by contact with something that an infected animal contaminated.

Quote:Mange is a skin disease of mammals caused by a tissue-burrowing mite. A variety of mange mites exist; the one identified as the cause of mange in Montana wildlife is Sarcoptes scabiei. The mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but skin changes brought on by infestation can be dramatic. The skin disease caused by this species of mite is known as sarcoptic mange.

In Montana, sarcoptic mange has been reported in red fox, coyote, and gray wolf. The mites appear to be quite host species-specific and the likelihood of transmission from a wolf to a healthy dog or human appears to be very low. In a 1980 study, attempts to transfer sarcoptic mange from a red fox, four coyotes and a wolf to dogs and dog-coyote hybrids were unsuccessful (Samuel, 1981).

Sarcoptic mange mites spread to new hosts through direct body contact with an infected animal or by contact with something that an infected animal has contaminated such as common den sites. The parasite lives and burrows in the skin layers. Sarcoptic mange is characterized by thinning and loss of hair, thickening and wrinkling of the skin, and scab and crust formation.

Red foxes are the most severely affected, exhibiting a thinning of hair accompanied by accumulations of foul-smelling, wet, crusted exudates about the head, and in severe cases, over much of the trunk and legs. In advanced cases, animals are emaciated and
weak. It can be fatal because of a chronically weakened immune system, secondary infections, or even hypothermia due to hair loss.

Several packs in southwest Montana (Montana portion of the GYA) were documented with symptoms associated with Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabeii) in 2006. However, in the sample of all dead wolves submitted for necropsy in 2006, fewer cases of mange were documented compared to the 2005 necropsied sample.

In 2006, mange was documented in 4 packs in the Montana portion of the Greater Yellowstone Recovery Area. One of the 4 no longer exists because the pair was lethally removed due to livestock conflicts. Of particular interest, one wolf is known to have
survived with visible signs of mange for three years. Thus far, mange has been detected in wolf packs living primarily east of the continental divide.

Elimination of mangy wolves to reduce opportunities for transmission of the parasite has been suggested. It has also been suggested that MFWP “treat” clinically affected individual wolves. The effectiveness of either approach is questionable, because the parasite is widely
distributed in the environment before infestations become obvious and multiple doses are required for effective treatment. MFWP’s management approach has been to let nature takes its course unless mangy wolves are habitually loitering near human dwellings or livestock.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Yellowstone Wolf 712M [Longtime Alpha Male of The Canyon Pack] (Above) (NPS Picture) showing no signs of mange

Wolf with severe case of mange (below)

*This image is copyright of its original author

- Chronic Skin Disease

Quote:Characterized by varying degrees of hair loss, scaling and crusting.

- Biting Dog Lice (Tricodectes canis)

Quote:Trichodectes canis, also known as canine chewing louse, is a chewing louse found on domesticated dogs and wild canids throughout the world. T. canis is a well-known vector for the dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. T. canis usually does not present any major problems to the host, however, can be very irritating in heavy infestations. In North America and most developed countries, T. canis infestation of domesticated dogs is very uncommon as long as they are properly cared for and healthy. Poorly taken care of dogs are more prone to getting a lice infestation.

T. canis was originally found on domesticated dogs in the Czech Republic in the 1950s. However, this louse has been found on wild canines as well – on gray wolves in Canada (1934), and coyotes in Texas and Kansas (1959). In addition to the domestic dog, T. canis is known to inhabit C. lupus, C. aureus, C. latrans, Dusicyonculpaeus, Cerdocyonthous, Vulpesbengalensis and Viverracivetta as well.

Source : Wikipedia.


- Muscular sarcocystosis (Sarcocytis sp.)

Quote:Rare incidences on canids.

In volunteer studies [On humans i think ?] with infected beef, symptoms appeared 3–6 hours after eating. These included anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, distension, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspnea, and tachycardia. All symptoms were transient and lasted about 36 hours. In a second series, symptoms—abdominal pain, distension, watery diarrhea, and eosinophilia—appeared at 1 week and resolved after 3 weeks.

Clinical cases have been associated with acute fever, myalgias, bronchospasm, pruritic rashes, lymphadenopathy, subcutaneous nodules associated with eosinophilia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and elevated creatinine kinase levels. Symptoms may last as long as five years. Segmental necrotizing enteritis has been reported on one occasion.

Wikipédia


- Trichinosis (trichinella larvae found in skeletal muscle)

Quote:It is transmitted by the ingestion of infected muscle tissue from another host. Work in Alaska indicates that trichinella infection has no measurable impact on either individual wolves or the population.

Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the Trichinella type.[1] During the initial infection, invasion of the intestines can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.[1] Migration of larvae to muscle, which occurs about a week after being infected, can cause swelling of the face, inflammation of the whites of the eyes, fever, muscle pains, and a rash.[1] Minor infection may be without symptoms.[1] Complications may include inflammation of heart muscle, central nervous system involvement, and inflammation of the lungs.[1]

Trichinosis is mainly spread when undercooked meat containing Trichinella cysts is eaten.[1] Most often this is pork, but infection can also occur from bear and dog meat.

Wikipedia

- Rabies

Quote:In the United States, rabies is primarily a disease that affects and is maintained by wildlife populations. No wolves have been affected or implicated in the transmission of this disease. All mammals are susceptible to rabies but the most frequently reported rabid wildlife remains raccoons (~38% of all animal cases), skunks (~27%), bats (~20%) and foxes (~6%). Rabies infections of terrestrial animals in most areas of the US occur in geographically definable regions where virus transmission is primarily between members of the same species. Rabies in Montana is generally confined to bats and skunks.

Humans are susceptible to rabies but infection from wild animals occurs very rarely in the US.

- Neosporosis (Neospora caninum)

Quote:A microscopic protozoal parasite, is a major cause of abortions, premature births and impaired calves in cattle. First recognized in 1988, and linked to dogs in 1998, this parasite causes an infection called neosporosis. Studies have shown that one or more animals in at least half the dairy and beef herds in the United States have been exposed.

A survey in 2000 of 55 beef herds in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming revealed an average herd prevalence of 24%. In dairy cattle herds, prevalence of Neospora infection can range from 5% - 75% and is not associated with herd size. Cows typically abort between the fourth and seventh months of gestation. If they do not abort, they are likely to pass the infection to their calves. Fetuses may be reabsorbed prior to three months of gestation. Congenitally infected calves are usually born healthy and develop normally, but pass the infection on to their offspring. In this way, Neospora caninum perpetuates itself in lines of cattle.

The second way that cattle become infected is through consuming feed or water contaminated with eggs from the parasite, or grazing on contaminated pastures. Natural cases of neosporosis have been reported in different species of wild deer and deer may play an important role in the epidemiology of this disease. Parasite eggs are shed in the feces of dogs, coyotes and possibly foxes and wolves that become infected by eating infected animals, placentas or fetuses. Scientific studies have proven that dogs and coyotes can spread Neospora through feces.


The evidence is less conclusive that foxes and wolves shed Neospora but serologic evidence indicates that wolves in Montana are at least exposed to the parasite.

- Tapeworm: Echinococcus (Echinococcus granulosus)

Quote:Is a very small tapeworm that resides in the small intestine of domestic dogs and other canids such as wolves.

Gravid tapeworm segments (proglottids) release eggs that are passed in the feces. After accidental ingestion by a suitable intermediate
host (deer, moose and elk, livestock and humans), the egg hatches in the small intestine, penetrates the intestinal wall and migrates through the circulatory system into various organs, especially the liver and lungs where it forms a cyst. The definitive host (dog, coyote, wolf etc.) may become infected by ingesting the cyst-containing organs of an infected intermediate host. Proglottids of this tapeworm species have been collected from a wolf in northwestern Montana. Through a collaborative project with the University of Washington, more detailed surveillance is now underway.

The same life cycle occurs with a second species E. multilocularis, with the following differences: in Montana the definitive hosts are red foxes and coyotes. Wolves are considered potential hosts but in Montana, this has not been documented. In addition, the intermediate hosts are small rodents rather than ungulates and larval growth (in the liver) remains indefinitely in the proliferative stage, resulting in invasion of the surrounding tissues.

Domestic dogs may, under certain conditions, become involved in the otherwise largely wildlife-based transmission, and thereby increase the possibility of infection in humans.

Generally, tapeworms do little harm to wolves and larval infections of the intermediate hosts tend to be more serious. For example, cysts of E. multilocularis produce tumor-like lesions that can eventually destroy the host’s liver and other organs. This condition is known as alveolar echinococcosis whereas the disease caused by E. granulosus is known as cystic echinococcosis.

Humans become infected following the accidental ingestion of eggs. Although widely believed, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that inhalation of eggs found in feces presents a transmission risk in humans. While the eggs can survive at least a year in cool,wet environments they are very vulnerable to high temperatures and desiccation, dying in two hours under these conditions.

- Brucellosis

Quote:A variety of species can become “spillover” hosts of Brucella abortus (the cause of brucellosis in cattle, bison and elk) in areas where brucellosis is endemic such as the Greater Yellowstone Area. In other words, some wildlife species other than bison and elk can become infected. Wolves may potentially be one of these spillover hosts but research indicates that they do not act as vectors of the disease following infection.

Previous studies have found no lesions in naturally infected, free-ranging wolves, coyotes or foxes and scientific evidence suggests that B. abortus has little or no effect on the health of wild canids.

In Montana a single animal (1 of 25; 4%) tested positive on serology but no evidence of actual infection has ever been observed.

A recent study in Canada evaluated the significance of B. abortus in wolves and whether or not wolves might pose a risk of transmitting brucellosis to other wildlife and livestock. The study found that the sporadic excretion of very small numbers of brucellae by wolves was insignificant when compared with the required infective dose for cattle. This led to the conclusion that wolves do not play a significant role in the maintenance and dissemination of B. abortus and pose no obstacle to control or eradication of the disease (Tessaro and Forbes,2004).

Source of all these informations : Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2006 Interagency Annual Report

Note : These informations are regarding Montana Wolf Population of 2005 and 2006 (except when wikipedia is written)
Reply