Dog Viral Infections & Diseases

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     Do you love your dog that much? Then you must know that there are viral diseases that might infect your dog. Some of these could be fatal. As such, it is important to be aware and know these viral infections and diseases so that you will know how to prevent your dog from being infected and how to deal with these infections if your dog has already been infected.

An infectious disease in canines is a result of pathogenic microbial agents. It includes pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites and aberrant proteins known as prions.

These pathogens cause diseases and even death to animals, plants and humans. Many of the viral infections and diseases that affect dogs usually start from when they are still puppies and are carried over, as they grow old.

1. Rabies - also known as hydrophobia, rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect any mammal. However, because of the close relationship of dogs and humans, canine rabies transmitted to humans is a serious concern. The rabies virus usually makes its way into the brain through the peripheral nerves. It is a viral neuroinvasive disease and causes acute inflammation of the brain or encephalitis in mammals.

Rabies can lead to death if left untreated. Early symptoms of rabies are malaise, headache, and fever. In the later stages, symptoms include acute pain, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, depression and inability to swallow water. On its final stage, periods of mania and lethargy can be observed then coma until eventual death, which is largely because of deficient respiratory function.

Vaccination against rabies is usually required by law.

2. Canine Parvovirus - it is a contagious virus and can spread quickly from dog to dog. Puppies could suffer severely from this infection if they are not given protection through maternal antibodies or vaccinations. Infection to the intestines causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea while concentration of infection to the cardiac causes respiratory or cardiovascular failure. This can be treated by veterinary hospitalization and prevented by vaccinations.

3. Canine Corona virus - it is a gastrointestinal disease without any symptoms surfacing or only with mild clinical signs. This is also a highly contagious disease and can spread through the feces of infected dogs. The virus invades and replicates the villi of the small intestine and causes death of the cells. Being infected with this virus means that the dog can also be highly susceptible to parvovirus.

Vaccination is required to prevent puppies from being infected and usual treatment involves diarrhea mediation. Dogs that are severely infected need intravenous fluids for dehydration.

4. Canine Distemper Virus or CDV - this usually affects domesticated animals. Not only dogs, it could also infect cats, ferrets and other domesticated pets. CDV is usually spread through aerosol droplets and contact with infected fluids like nasal and ocular secretions, feces and urine. Infection is usually concentrated on the lymphoid, epithelial and nervous tissues.

A number of vaccines are available against CDV and there are antibiotics for bacterial infections. Infected dogs are usually quarantined for several months until healed.

5. Canine Influenza - This newly emerged virus is brought about by various Influenza Virus such as H3N8 or equine virus. Dogs have no natural immunity from this virus and as such, it could be epidemic. A severe infection is manifested by high fever and pneumonia. In this phase, the infected dog needs immediate medical attention.

6. Canine Hepatitis - Acute liver infection caused by canine adenovirus. It can spread through the feces, urine, blood, saliva and nasal discharge of an infected dog. Infection can be manifested by symptoms like fever, depression, loss of appetite, coughing, and tender abdomen.

Infection can develop into corneal edema and other signs of liver disease such as jaundice, vomiting and hepatic encephalopathy. Severe infections can develop into bleeding disorders and hematoma. Most dogs may recover spontaneously without treatment but prevention is better by getting vaccination.

7. Canine Herpes Virus (CHV) - This fatal virus leads to hemorrhagic disease in puppies that are less than two to three weeks old. In adult dogs, infection can occur on the reproductive tract and can be sexually transmitted. Symptoms include crying, weakness, depression, nose discharge, soft and yellow feces, and loss of sucking reflex. Treatment can be difficult. Injecting antibodies against CHV in the abdomen can help some to survive. It is important to keep an infected puppy warm.

8. Psuedorabies - this disease primarily affects swine but can also infect dogs and become fatal. Its symptoms are similar to rabies infection. It is manifested by intense itching, jaw and pharyngeal paralysis, howling and death.

9. Canine Minute Virus - This infectious disease causes respiratory and gastrointestinal failure in young puppies. If they were infected orally, the virus spreads out transplacentally to the fetus. Symptoms are severe diarrhea, breathing difficulty and anorexia, manifested at one to three weeks old. Severe infections lead to death.

As a responsible pet owner, make sure that your pet dog has been given all the necessary vaccinations against these viruses. Prevention is better than cure. Always be alert in seeing signs of health failure in your pet. This way, you will not have to suffer the loss of a beloved pet.