Viral infections

Canine distemper

Canine distemper is one of the best-known viral infections in dogs. It is caused by the distemper virus, which is closely related to the measles virus in humans. The distemper virus can infect not only dogs, but also marten-like animals such as foxes or badgers. Infection usually occurs through contact with infected animals or their body fluids such as saliva, nasal discharge or feces.

Canine distemper can cause very different symptoms, depending on which organs or tissues are affected. The most common forms are

• The nerve form: it causes paralysis, movement disorders, balance disorders or behavioral changes.
• The intestinal form: It manifests itself with diarrhea and vomiting.
• The pulmonary form: It can cause coughing, purulent nasal discharge or pneumonia.

Canine distemper can be very severe and leave permanent damage or even lead to death. Vaccination against distemper should be given every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine used.

Infectious hepatitis (HCC)

Infectious hepatitis is caused by the HCC virus, which primarily destroys liver cells. Infection usually occurs through contact with other dogs or their bodily excretions such as urine, feces or saliva.

The symptoms of contagious liver inflammation are

• Fever
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• Mucosal bleeding
• jaundice
• Clouding of the cornea

Infectious hepatitis can be fatal, especially in young dogs. Vaccination against infectious hepatitis should be carried out every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine used.

Parvovirosis

Parvovirosis is another very serious viral infection in dogs. It is caused by the parvovirus, which attacks and destroys rapidly dividing cells such as immune cells or intestinal epithelial cells. The parvovirus is very stable in the environment and can survive in infected feces for months to years. Infection occurs directly from the feces of other dogs or indirectly through viruses adhering to human clothing or objects.

Parvovirosis shows different symptoms depending on the age of the dog:

• In puppies under three months of age, the parvovirus can infect the heart cells and cause inflammation of the heart muscle, which often leads to sudden death.
• In older dogs, the parvovirus causes severe gastrointestinal inflammation with fever, severe vomiting and massive, usually bloody diarrhea, which is often also fatal.

Vaccination against parvovirus should be carried out every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine used.

Rabies

Rabies is one of the most feared viral infections in dogs, as it is always fatal and can also be transmitted to humans. It is caused by the rabies virus, which attacks the nervous system and leads to progressive paralysis and aggression. Infection usually occurs through the bite of an infected animal, which excretes the virus in its saliva.

The symptoms of rabies are

• Behavioral changes such as restlessness, anxiety or aggressiveness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Foaming at the mouth
• paralysis
• convulsions
• respiratory arrest

Rabies is spread worldwide and in many countries vaccination is compulsory for dogs. Vaccination against rabies should be given every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine used.