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MyFairLacy · 02-12-2009, 02:53 PM

Herpesvirus Herpes In Puppies And Dogs

Ron Hines DVM PhD 4/28/06

Canine herpes virus, an alpha-herpesvirus, is found throughout the world in domestic and wild dogs. We don’t think a lot about this virus because the disease it produces in mature dogs is very mild. Although it infects dogs of all ages, it is only a serious problem when it attacks newborn puppies. In urban dog populations the infection rate is about thirty percent. However, in some kennels, 100% of the dogs have been exposed to the virus.

This virus is transmitted by direct contact with body secretions. Indirect infection is rare because the virus dies quickly in the environment.

When mature dogs initially come in contact with herpes virus many develop a mild upper respiratory infection with nasal exudate and cough. In many dogs there are no signs at all that the dog is sick. Herpes virus also infects the genito-urinary system. The changes are mild and include vaginal redness, and pin point hemorrhages. Some dogs develop small vesicles (blisters) in the vagina or prepuce.
In males the base of the penis may become inflamed. It is likely that all infected mature dogs harbor this virus in an inactive state in their nerve ganglia for the rest of their lives.

Lipid-solvents as well as temperature over 104F inactivate canine herpesvirus. It is killed by most common household disinfectants.

Most puppies are infected by their mothers shortly after birth. Some develop the infection while still in the womb or as they pass through the birth canal. When infection occurs while the puppies are still in the uterus, they may be stillborn, absorbed or abort before they reach term.

When puppies are infected after birth, fatal infections occur between one and four weeks of age. The disease is usually fatal because these pups lack immunity. Mortality is close to 100%. Pregnant dogs infected in midterm or later pregnancy, often abort weak or stillborn pups. These mothers remain asymptomatic. Some fetal pups infected during late gestation can appear normal at birth, only to die a few days later. Many puppies become infected as they pass through the birth canal or shortly thereafter from infected oral and nasal secretions of the mother.

The first sign of infection is a lack of interest in nursing. These puppies whine continuously and appear uncomfortable. They appear to be in pain due to tender abdomens. They may void yellowish green stools. Naso-occular discharge is common. Less common signs are an increased tendency to bleed and seizures. These puppies may have pin point hemorrhages on their gums. Young puppies are not capable of running a fever. As the disease progresses, the puppy’s temperature drops to subnormal. Subnormal temperature in puppies is a grave sign. The disease progresses very rapidly and the puppies usually die in 1-3 days. Because the signs are few and the disease rapid, owners may not recognize that their puppy is ill until it dies.

Herpes virus is only fatal during the first week or two of life. When it occurs later, the disease is mild or no symptoms occur. We theorize that as soon as the puppy is old enough to run a fever, the increased temperature kills this thermolabile virus. Puppies less than two weeks of age also have undeveloped immune systems that favor the disease.

Mother dogs pass their immunity to herpes virus infection on to their puppies. This is why the litter that follows an infected group of puppies does not develop the disease.

There are only a few diseases that can be mistaken for herpes deaths in puppies. Toxic milk syndrome, septicemias, fatal congenital birth defects, minute virus of canines, canine adenovirus, coronavirus and accidents also cause acute death. In herpesvirus infection, the primary gross lesions in puppies are pin point hemorrhages in the kidneys and other body organs.

Treatment of this disease is rather unsuccessful. Although elevated temperature kills this herpesvirus, treating the puppy with elevated temperature has not proved effective in saving the pups. Warmth, tube feeding and intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may extend the pup’s life but they usually expire quite rapidly. There are reported cases where puppies were saved by giving them blood serum from adult dogs that recently recovered from herpes virus. There is another report that the antiviral drug, vidarabine,
has saved some puppies. When puppies survive herpesvirus infection they are usually left with nervous system and heart damage.
In kennels, vigorous sanitation can stop the spread of herpesvirus throughout the facility. Vaccines for this disease are not available. When herpesvirus is found in a kennel all breeding should cease. This gives the rest of the adult kennel dogs time to develop immunity. In Europe, an inactivated sub-unit vaccine has been available since 2003. When three injections are given to mothers during their heat, early and late pregnancy, puppies survive even in infected kennels.

Occasional dogs remain carriers and shedders of the virus for months or years. These dogs harbor the virus in their nerve ganglia, tonsils and salivary glands. Shedding can be intermittent due to stress or continuous.

02-12-2009, 02:53 PM	#12
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	Canine Herpes Virus Herpesvirus Herpes In Puppies And Dogs Ron Hines DVM PhD 4/28/06 Canine herpes virus, an alpha-herpesvirus, is found throughout the world in domestic and wild dogs. We don’t think a lot about this virus because the disease it produces in mature dogs is very mild. Although it infects dogs of all ages, it is only a serious problem when it attacks newborn puppies. In urban dog populations the infection rate is about thirty percent. However, in some kennels, 100% of the dogs have been exposed to the virus. This virus is transmitted by direct contact with body secretions. Indirect infection is rare because the virus dies quickly in the environment. When mature dogs initially come in contact with herpes virus many develop a mild upper respiratory infection with nasal exudate and cough. In many dogs there are no signs at all that the dog is sick. Herpes virus also infects the genito-urinary system. The changes are mild and include vaginal redness, and pin point hemorrhages. Some dogs develop small vesicles (blisters) in the vagina or prepuce. In males the base of the penis may become inflamed. It is likely that all infected mature dogs harbor this virus in an inactive state in their nerve ganglia for the rest of their lives. Lipid-solvents as well as temperature over 104F inactivate canine herpesvirus. It is killed by most common household disinfectants. Most puppies are infected by their mothers shortly after birth. Some develop the infection while still in the womb or as they pass through the birth canal. When infection occurs while the puppies are still in the uterus, they may be stillborn, absorbed or abort before they reach term. When puppies are infected after birth, fatal infections occur between one and four weeks of age. The disease is usually fatal because these pups lack immunity. Mortality is close to 100%. Pregnant dogs infected in midterm or later pregnancy, often abort weak or stillborn pups. These mothers remain asymptomatic. Some fetal pups infected during late gestation can appear normal at birth, only to die a few days later. Many puppies become infected as they pass through the birth canal or shortly thereafter from infected oral and nasal secretions of the mother. The first sign of infection is a lack of interest in nursing. These puppies whine continuously and appear uncomfortable. They appear to be in pain due to tender abdomens. They may void yellowish green stools. Naso-occular discharge is common. Less common signs are an increased tendency to bleed and seizures. These puppies may have pin point hemorrhages on their gums. Young puppies are not capable of running a fever. As the disease progresses, the puppy’s temperature drops to subnormal. Subnormal temperature in puppies is a grave sign. The disease progresses very rapidly and the puppies usually die in 1-3 days. Because the signs are few and the disease rapid, owners may not recognize that their puppy is ill until it dies. Herpes virus is only fatal during the first week or two of life. When it occurs later, the disease is mild or no symptoms occur. We theorize that as soon as the puppy is old enough to run a fever, the increased temperature kills this thermolabile virus. Puppies less than two weeks of age also have undeveloped immune systems that favor the disease. Mother dogs pass their immunity to herpes virus infection on to their puppies. This is why the litter that follows an infected group of puppies does not develop the disease. There are only a few diseases that can be mistaken for herpes deaths in puppies. Toxic milk syndrome, septicemias, fatal congenital birth defects, minute virus of canines, canine adenovirus, coronavirus and accidents also cause acute death. In herpesvirus infection, the primary gross lesions in puppies are pin point hemorrhages in the kidneys and other body organs. Treatment of this disease is rather unsuccessful. Although elevated temperature kills this herpesvirus, treating the puppy with elevated temperature has not proved effective in saving the pups. Warmth, tube feeding and intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may extend the pup’s life but they usually expire quite rapidly. There are reported cases where puppies were saved by giving them blood serum from adult dogs that recently recovered from herpes virus. There is another report that the antiviral drug, vidarabine, has saved some puppies. When puppies survive herpesvirus infection they are usually left with nervous system and heart damage. In kennels, vigorous sanitation can stop the spread of herpesvirus throughout the facility. Vaccines for this disease are not available. When herpesvirus is found in a kennel all breeding should cease. This gives the rest of the adult kennel dogs time to develop immunity. In Europe, an inactivated sub-unit vaccine has been available since 2003. When three injections are given to mothers during their heat, early and late pregnancy, puppies survive even in infected kennels. Occasional dogs remain carriers and shedders of the virus for months or years. These dogs harbor the virus in their nerve ganglia, tonsils and salivary glands. Shedding can be intermittent due to stress or continuous. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.