I have finally calculated the results for the Distemper Survey. Thank you to all who participated! These results are from almost 6500 people from all over the world who responded who have MS. I was not surprized at the tremendous amount of people who have pets.
Almost everyone has 1 pet of some kind or another. They range from common pets such as cats, dogs, fish, horses to frogs, newts, lizards and even monkeys! The most unusual pet that someone has is a 10 yr. old tarantula! There was even a person who has a deer that she feeds right from her front porch everyday!
Here are the results that I have received over the last 36 months.
After you read this, if you have any comments, good or bad, please email me.
1)How old are you? |
Under 18 yrs. old |
19 and 24 yrs. old |
25 and 34 yrs. old |
35 and 44 yrs. old |
45 and 54 yrs. old |
Older than 55 yrs. old |
12% |
25% |
38% |
92% |
74% |
61% |
2)When were you first diagnosed with MS? |
Not Diagnosed Yet |
3-6 Months |
7-12 Months |
6-10 years |
11-20 years |
Longer |
|
67% |
5% |
21% |
82% |
49% |
17% |
3)How many pets do you have? |
No Pets |
1 - 4 |
|
5% |
95% |
4)What kind of pets do you have? |
Cats |
Dogs |
Both |
Fish |
Other | |
78% |
72% |
30% |
27% |
9% |
5)Have you had 1 or more pets in the past who have had Distemper? |
YES |
NO |
|
62% |
38% |
6)Have you ever owned or been exposed to tropical fish? |
YES |
NO |
|
40% |
60% |
7)Have you ever had any type of warts such as Planter's Warts? |
YES |
NO |
|
33% |
66% |
8)Have you ever had Pneumonia? |
YES |
NO |
|
57% |
33% |
9)If so, which type? |
Walking |
Chlamydia |
Lobar |
Bronchial |
Other | |
57% |
12% |
8% |
82% |
5% |
10)Have you ever had any cold sores? |
YES |
NO |
|
59% |
41% |
11)As a child, did you have Chicken Pox(also called herpes zoster)? |
YES |
NO |
|
93% |
7% |
12)As a child, did you have mumps (a viral disease usually age 5 to 15 but can be severe in adulthood which is also called epidemic parottis or infectious parotitis)? |
YES |
NO |
|
45% |
55% |
13) As a child, measles (a parammyxoviral disease)(also called morbilli, rubeola, see also roseola infantum, rubella)? |
Yes |
No |
|
95% |
5% |
14)Do you think the HHV-6 link (human herpes virus-6) might have anything to do with MS? |
Yes |
No |
|
55% |
45% |
15)Do you think MS has a genetic link such as being hereditary? |
Yes |
No |
|
60% |
40% |
16)Do you think the environment might have anything to do with MS? |
Yes |
No |
|
70% |
30% |
17)Where did you live prior to the age of 15 years old? |
55% = U.S.A. |
40% = Canada |
5% = Elsewhere |
18)Where do you live now? |
55% = U.S.A. |
40% = Canada |
5% = Elsewhere |
Some researchers question that there seems to be a connection to something the person has been exposed to prior to the age of 15.
Her are a few comments from people who have responded to this survey.
Mike, Valparaiso,Indiana, Merrillvile,Indiana (age) 25-34 (diagnosis) 2-5 years (comments) 2 dogs a rottweiler and a golden retriver, a rottweiler and a golden retriver, I lived in Indiana all of my life., This survey was very simple to do and was very enjoyable.
Peter Bugbee, Springfield Mass, Fort Fairfield, Maine (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 11-20 (comments)1 dog Chip ...i owned his mother he was born to us... after i was dxed with MS... so he is/was not a factor, dog... hintz 57, Fort Fairfield, Maine I still live there., as a child... i drank unpastureized milk. question 16
Diane, Massachusetts, Massachusetts (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 7-11 months (comments) none at the time but I had a lab in 93, I have lived in MA all my life other than 1 year in AL and one year in VA.
Don, Minnesota, Northern Calif (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 2-5 years (comments)2, Dog Hamster, I lived in Minnesota till I was 6, then Utah for 2 years. then to califorinia.
Jeanette, Washington state, above the mentioned valley. (age) 55+ (diagnosis) Longer (comments) none, In Washington state, south of Seattle in a small valley town where there seems to have been a large number of people who contracted MS. Especially the kids that lived and played along a creek that may have had run off from a Government Service Agency compound. It is not common knowledge that many bodies from the Korean war were housed inside this chain linked fence huge compound. As a child parents were always wondering what function this GSA compound served and it was speculated in the 1950's that water in the valley could be a source of problems originating from the GSA buildings. It was a mystery., Good if anyone can put together some sense from it.
Leila Gurney , Toronto , Mississauga Ontario, Canada (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 2-5 years (comments) cat, hamster, 2 rabbits, loads of fish , Florida and Toronto, I truly believe MS is hereditary. My Mother was dx'ed with spinal cerebellum degenoration which is a form of MS. I also believe that climate has something to do with it. So it is six of one or half dozen of the other, take your pick! I just know I will survive !!! I am not a quitter!
Corinne, Victoria BC Canada, Whitehorse Yukon Territory, (age) 45-54 (diagnosis) 6-10 years (comments) 2, 1 cat, 1 dog, Victoria BC, Ottawa Ontario, Toronto Ontario, Calgary Alberta, Very interesting thought!! I grew up on Air Force bases in Canada, as my father was in the service. Had most of the childhood diseases -- had a pup when I was 17 who I tried desperately to save from distemper-- but lost the battle. I spent time in steam tents with him numerous times -- I've never heard anything about the possible relationship of MS and distemper before!!I have 5 siblings-- I am the only one in our family with MS. I did not live at home when I had this pup. I'm very interested in this research -- thanks for asking- and taking the time to do this !!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if you've *found* the link!!! Hugs
Ft. Dix, New Jersey, Colorado (age) 45-54 (diagnosis) not diagnosed yet 1, West Highland White Terrior, Oklahoma, Japan, and New Jersey. (comments)Question 14 and 16 I don't know. I had someone who has been diagnosed with MS call me the other night to talk with me and that was the first time I had heard about being around an animal with distemper. I then remembered when I lived in Oklahoma about the age of 9 or 10 we had a beagle that we purchased from the dog pound and it ended up dying from distemper. I just found it to be a very strange coincidence.
Loren, Ft. Pierce, FL, Washington State (age) 25-34 (diagnosis) not diagnosed yet (comments) Believe it or not, I have 12, I have 4 cats, 1 service dog, 2 finches, 1 dove, and 4 bettas (2 male and 2 females) :), Atlanta, Georgia, A very thorough survey. I enjoyed it very much.. wish you would have had an answer for when you were diagnosed.. such as a misdiagnosis for this disease.
Barb, Cleveland, Ohio, Bryan, Ohio (extreme NW Ohio) (age) 45-54 (diagnosis) 2-5 years (comments)I think MS is a syndrome, not one disease. I think there is one form with a genetic component, perhaps one with a viral component and a third with a very definite environmental component. That dog theory, by the way, has been around for at least thirty years and is continuously disproved.
Simon, Buffalo NY, Nottingham UK (age) 25-34 (diagnosis) 7-11 months (comments)2, a rotty doy and a moggy cat, I left Ny as a child of 3 and moved to Nottingham UK where I have remained. , I think this is great, people that matter perfroming valuable research. I have perfromed a little of my own and currently think that my dx was wrong. Did you know that over use of paracetamol can cause optic Neuritus (in rare cases)?
Amber, Texas (age) -18 (diagnosis) 2-5 years (comments)2 golden retrievers 4 cats 2 fish, When I was younger I had 4 dogs at one point and only have had cats since the last 4 years. However, I did have several hamsters when I was younger., Texas, then Michigan for 2 years, then back to Texas, It might be of interest to put what pets you had in the past. Also, what other medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, etc.
Darlene, Boston Mass, Va Beach VA (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 6-10 years (comments) I had two dogs moses and cinnamon. Both have recently died of old age., Getting another dog soon, I grew up in Boston Mass, Until age 18 then moved to RI. From there I moved to CT, then on to vA. My husband is military (retired), I think its great to try and find common links with this disease. With information like this it may someday make a difference.
Pam, Michigan, Tasmania Australia (age) 45-54 (diagnosis) 7-11 months (comments)4, two dogs two cats, Michigan Now live in Tasmania which is a very high incident MS state for those living here before 15. Lots of research happening here. I think people panic and might not really read the statistics of the research. It's been proven already that MS is very probably related to where people lived before their 15th birthday. It's also been proven although it may not be directly hereditary it is familial. I don't want people to think b/c they had a dog with distemper they now have MS. Research needs to be carried out in very specific conditions with both control and target groups with all variables catered for scientifically. Although this information in this survey may be useful to find incidence of such things.
Diana, Lexington,Ky, Ringgold,Va (age) 35-44 (diagnosis) 3-6 months (comments)One dog,fish, dog,fish, I live in Dallas, Tx and Lexington,KY in my early years. I moved to northern Indiana when I was 15 and lived there for about 20 years., I feel there is a definate connection between my living in the south and moving to the north. I feel there is definate connection with too much stress too.
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Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments.
