This virus poses no real threat to adult dogs. In fact, it is thought to be a natural inhabitant of the respiratory tract and sometimes the reproductive tracts of these adults. Its main importance rests in the disease it causes in puppies under 2 weeks of age.As it turns out, this herpes virus does not multiply well in the higher body temperatures normally found in adult dogs. However, neonatal puppies, whose ability to maintain this body temperature is poor, are prime targets for the virus. They can become infected with it directly inside the mother’s uterus, or they can become exposed after birth.
Clinical Sign- Dyspnea
- Serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge
- Anorexia
- Grayish yellow or green, soft, odorless stool
- Persistent, agonizing crying
- Encephalitic signs
- Severe gasping before death
- Petechial hemorrhages on the mucous membranes occasionally seen
- The incubation period in neonatal pups 4-6 days
- Onset sudden; death occurs 12-36 hr later.
- Some pups are found dead without premonitory signs.
- Occasionally, pups with mild signs survive but often later develop ataxia, persistent vestibular signs, ataxia, or blindness.
- Mature females may have lymphofollicular or hemorrhagic lesions in the vagina.
- Conjunctivitis observed on rare occasions
- CHV keratitis reported but not confirmed
Differential Diagnosis- Bacteria (brucellosis, coliform bacteria, or streptococci), toxoplasmosis, toxic substances no typical gross lesions of CHV
- MVC (canine parvovirus type 1) causes enteric or respiratory disease; no characteristic CHV lesions
- Distemper and canine adenovirus type 1 (canine hepatitis) uncommon; no characteristic CHV renal lesions
Treatment- no vaccine available to help combat this disease
- Antiviral drug therapy generally unsuccessful
- Immune sera from recovered bitches beneficial in reducing pup deaths when antiserum is given before onset of illness
- Be sure to provide a source of heat to the puppies to maintain their body temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help slow the multiplication of the virus. If indicated, supportive fluids and force feeding can be helpful as well.
Tags: Article Pets Animals Herpes Virus
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