Common dog virus

Parvovirus should be considered a core vaccine for all puppies and adult dogs. Generally, the first vaccine is given at weeks of age and a booster is given at four-week intervals until the puppy is weeks of age, and then again at one year of age. Older dogs who have not received full puppy vaccination series may be susceptible to parvovirus and should also receive at least one immunization. A solution of one part bleach to 32 parts water can be used where organic material is not present.

If these objects are not able to be disinfected, they should be discarded. Areas that are harder to clean grassy areas, carpeting and wood, for example need to be sprayed with disinfectant or even resurfaced. Parvovirus Treatment There are currently no drugs available that can kill the virus. Dogs infected with parvovirus need intensive treatment in a veterinary hospital, where they will receive antibiotics to control secondary infections, drugs to control the vomiting, intravenous fluids to treat dehydration and other supportive therapies.

The average hospital stay is about days. Treatment is not always successful , so it is important to make sure your dog is vaccinated. When to See the Vet Parvovirus is a dangerous disease that is often fatal. If you notice your dog experiencing severe vomiting, loss of appetite, depression or bloody diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Expand to read more Rabies Transmission There are several reported routes of transmission of the rabies virus. Rabies is most often transmitted through a bite from an infected animal. The risk for contracting rabies runs highest if your dog is exposed to wild animals.

Outbreaks can occur in populations of wild animals most often raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes in this country or in areas where there are significant numbers of unvaccinated, free-roaming dogs and cats. Rabies Prevention Vaccination is the key—and in many areas of the country, such as New York City, it's the law. Some local ordinances require lengthy quarantines—or euthanasia—of pets who have bitten someone if their owners do not have proof of current vaccination.

Vaccinating your dog doesn't just protect him from rabies—it also protects your dog if he bites someone. Dogs who have bitten humans are required to be confined for at least 10 days to see if rabies develops. Avoiding contact with wild animals is also necessary to prevention. Symptoms of Rabies Animals will not show signs immediately following exposure to a rabid animal. Classic signs of rabies in dogs include: Changes in behavior including restlessness, apprehension, aggression or irritability Biting or snapping at any form of stimulus Attacking other animals, humans and even inanimate objects Licking, biting and chewing at the bite site Fever Hypersensitivity Hiding in dark places Eating unusual objects Paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles Foaming at the mouth Disorientation, incoordination and staggering Paralysis of the hind legs Loss of appetite Weakness Seizures Sudden death Transmission of the virus through saliva can happen as early as ten days before symptoms appear.

Diagnosing Rabies There is no accurate test to diagnose rabies in live animals. The direct fluorescent antibody test is the most accurate test for diagnosis, but it can only be performed after the death of the animal on brain tissue. There is no treatment or cure for rabies once symptoms appear. The disease results in death.

Contact local animal control officers if the animal who bit your pet is still at large; they will be best able to safely apprehend and remove the animal from the environment. It is best not to touch your dog during this time. If you must handle your dog, wear gloves and protective clothing. A dog who is up to date with his vaccinations and who has been bitten by a possibly rabid animal should also be given a rabies booster vaccine immediately and kept under observation length will vary depending on your state laws.

Expand to read more Ringworm Symptoms Classic symptoms of ringworm in dogs include: Skin lesions that typically appear on the head, ears, paws and forelimbs. Dogs More Prone to Ringworm.

Puppies less than a year old are most prone to infection Malnourished, immunocompromised and stressed dogs are also at a greater risk. Ringworm can quickly spread in kennels, shelters and other places where there are many dogs in a close environment. A veterinarian may use an ultraviolet light to diagnose ringworm, or may examine a fungal culture taken from the affected area.

Treating Ringworm Treatment of ringworm depends on the severity of the infection. A veterinarian may prescribe a shampoo or ointment that contains a special medication to kill the fungus.

In some cases, oral medications are necessary. It is important to treat your dog for as long as recommended by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend that you do the following: Bathe all pets in the household with a medicated rinse or shampoo. Discard items that are impossible to thoroughly disinfect carpeted cat trees, etc. Luckily, the mortality rate is relatively low, with less than 10 percent of dog flu cases resulting in fatalities.

The canine influenza virus requires the attention of a veterinarian. In some states, vets are required to report cases of canine influenza to the government to help monitor the spread of the disease. There is no cure for dog flu. Treatment is supportive, and your veterinarian can advise you on the best ways to keep your dog comfortable during his illness and recovery. Some dogs may require supportive care, such as fluids, to aid their recovery, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce fevers.

Your vet will help you come up with a nutritional plan and may prescribe antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. Your vet will also inform you about appropriate quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of dog flu, depending on the strain of the virus your dog contracts, and can give you information about disinfectant solutions to use in your home to help kill the virus. Call your vet ahead of time to let her know that your dog is showing symptoms of a respiratory infection.

Both kennel cough and dog flu are highly contagious, and your vet may request that you keep your dog outside until your appointment time to prevent the risk of transmission to other patients in the waiting room. The best way to prevent your dog from contracting dog flu is to keep him away from public places or kennels with recently reported cases.

If you come into contact with a dog that you suspect has dog flu or has recently been exposed to it, wash your hands, arms, and clothing before touching your own dog. This will reduce the risk of transmission from you to your dog. There are vaccines available for both the H3N8 and H3N2 strains of canine influenza. Your vet may recommend the vaccine based on your lifestyle. For instance, if you live in an area with a high incidence of dog flu or if your dog regularly spends time in kennels or travels to shows around the country, then he could be at an increased risk of contracting canine influenza and your vet may recommend the vaccine as a precaution.

Since the virus can survive in the environment for approximately two months, it is recommended to clean the area where the dog lives, particularly using sodium hypochlorite or peroxide compounds. A different and less common classification of parvo , the canine parvovirus type 1 causes respiratory infections in puppies with a fatal outcome.

Clinical signs include anorexia, dyspnea, vomiting, and dullness. This contagious dog virus can survive in the air and infect the dog in direct contact from the respiratory secretions of the infected animals. The common symptoms of this fatal infection are fever, coughing, seizures, nasal discharge, runny eyes, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and paralysis. In , researchers described a new strain of this virus after an increased number of cases of infected dogs worldwide.

Luckily, a core vaccine for canine distemper virus is very effective at protecting dogs and is essential in many countries. Canine herpesvirus disease, primarily affecting puppies, is highly contagious and often fatal. It occurs in newborn dogs under three weeks of age, even though maternal antibodies protect most of them. The carriers of the virus are adult dogs, and most puppies get infected transplacentally. The main symptoms include hemorrhages and disseminated necrosis of a puppy's kidneys, lungs, and liver.

In most cases, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspnea, and anorexia are the most prominent symptoms. In female dogs, the virus usually causes infertility, vaginitis, and abortion.

The most often clinical signs of infectious canine hepatitis in dogs include jaundice, anorexia, conjunctivitis, fever, bleeding, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blue eye corneal opacity in a dog's eyes. In particularly severe cases, the dog can develop CNS signs such as seizures, disorientation, and terminal coma. Fortunately, vaccines exist and are very effective ; therefore, this infection is rare in dogs, especially in regions where vets carry out routine immunization or were vaccination is required by law.

Top Dog Tips. Home Science. Gingivitis in Dogs: Science-based Prevention and Treatment. Parvo in Dogs: Top 5 Home Remedies. How to Make a Dog Diaper. Bichon Frise Dog Breed Profile. Border Terrier Dog Profile. Great Dane Dog Breed Profile. Rabies Virus in Dogs Lyssavirus 2. Kennel Cough Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis 6. Canine Parvovirus Type 2 8. What is canine influenza dog flu? Can canine influenza viruses infect people?

Where did canine influenza viruses come from and how long have they been around? How does the issue of canine influenza apply to dogs imported into the US from other countries? What is CDC doing about canine influenza?

What are signs of canine influenza in dogs? How serious is canine influenza in dogs? How is canine influenza virus spread? Is there a test for canine influenza? How is canine influenza in dogs treated? Is there a vaccine for canine influenza? My dog has a cough. What should I do? Where can I find more information on canine influenza viruses?

Media Briefing on Canine Influenza. September 25, April 13, Volume 14, Number 6 — June Canine influenza External.