Systematic Veterinary Virology

DIARRHOEIC PHASE

• The diarrhoeic phase begins after the fever subsides The dark, fluid faeces contain excess mucus and shreds of epithelium and necrotic debris streaked with blood. The smell is fetid and offensive.
• Affected animals arch their backs and strain frequently, exposing congested and eroded rectal mucosae. The diarrhoea is also referred as shooting diarrhoea. Respirations are laboured and painful, characterized by an audible grunt when exhaling.
• In fatal cases of rinderpest the diarrhoea worsens progressively, causing rapid dehydration. Affected animals waste visibly, have sunken eyes and stand with lowered heads and arched backs. Most animals collapse and die six to 12 days after the onset of the prodromal fever.
• In surviving cases, the diarrhoea stops within a week of its onset. Pregnant animalsl abort during convalescence.