Information about Parvo and Canine Respiratory Coronavirus
The latest information from the American Veterinary Medical Association about Parvo type 2c and Canine Respiratory Coronavirus. There is no vaccine (yet) for this type of Coronavirus which is similar to kennel cough but the treatment is to provide supportive therapies, make sure your dog is vaccinated against other respiratory illnesses, and keep your dog confined and away from other dogs while he’s sick to prevent spreading the illness.
For Parvo type 2c, current vaccines do provide some protection, so make sure you keep your dog up-to-date on his parvo vaccinations until a better vaccine becomes available.
From the AVMA
Frequently Asked Questions about Canine Parvovirus type 2c
April 2008
[This FAQ document is based on what we currently know about this virus. As we receive more information, this document will be updated.]
Q:
What is canine parvovirus type 2c?
A:
Canine parvovirus type 2c is a variant, or strain, of canine parvovirus. It was first detected in Italy in 2000, and has also been reported in Western Europe, Asia, and South America. Outbreaks of canine parvovirus associated with CPV-2c in the United States were confirmed in 2006 and 2007.
Q:
How does canine parvovirus type 2c differ from the typical canine parvovirus strains in the United States?
A:
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is the virus that causes “parvo” enteritis in dogs. All of the strains of CPV-2 are genetically related. CPV-2c differs from CPV-2a and CPV-2b at only one point on the DNA strand; however, this one point makes a big difference in the virus. As a result of this difference, the CPV-2c virus has altered its antigenicity. The antigenicity of a virus results from the proteins (called antigens, pronounced ANN-ti-jens) on its surface that stimulate the infected animal’s body to mount an immune response. These antigens are what allow vaccines to provide protection from viral infection. Because the antigens of CPV-2c are slightly different than those of CPV-2a and CPV-2b, currently available vaccines may not be as effective in preventing CPV-2c, and some tests do not detect the presence of the CPV-2c virus.
Q:
What type of infection does CPV-2c cause?
A:
CPV-2c causes the same signs as infection with CPV-2a and CPV-2b. These include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and dehydration. Without treatment, many affected animals die. Severe cases may die despite aggressive treatment.
To read more about canine parvovirus, view the AVMA’s brochure, “What you should know about canine parvovirus,” at http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/canine_parvo/parvo_brochure.asp.
Q:
Who is susceptible to CPV-2c infection?
A:
The risk for CPV-2c (as well as many other infectious diseases) infection is highest when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities, dog shows, and racing greyhound kennels. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection, but puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at higher risk of infection and illness. There is no evidence that CPV-2c can infect people.
Q:
How is CPV-2c transmitted?
A:
As with other parvoviruses, CPV-2c is highly contagious and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Q:
How is CPV-2c infection diagnosed?
A:
Because the signs are similar for CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c infection and illness, the types cannot be distinguished by examination or the signs of disease observed. Also, because the antigens of CPV-2c are slightly different than those of CPV-2a and CPV-2b, some parvo detection tests will not detect CPV-2c; if parvo is suspected but the routine test results are negative, further testing may be necessary to determine if CPV-2c is the cause of infection. For more information on the discovery and testing of CPV-2c in the United States, go to http://www.cvhs.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=437.
Q:
What is the treatment for CPV-2c infection?
A:
As with the other strains of canine parvovirus, treatment of individual dogs consists of supportive care and efforts to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, control vomiting and diarrhea, and prevent secondary infections. There is no specific anti-viral therapy for CPV-2c infection. Since CPV-2c is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection.
Q:
Is there a vaccine for CPV-2c?
A:
At this time, there is no vaccine to specifically prevent CPV-2c infection. Some dogs with CPV-2c infection and illness had previously been vaccinated with commercially available parvovirus vaccines, indicating that the vaccines may not be as effective in preventing illness due to CPV-2; however, the report did not state if the dogs were vaccinated at appropriate ages and intervals. There is evidence that the commercially available vaccines may provide some protection, and they are still strongly recommended for prevention of canine parvovirus infection.
Q:
If the parvovirus vaccine may not fully protect my dog from CPV-2c, why should I still have my dog vaccinated for parvo?
A:
There are several reasons to have your dog vaccinated for parvo. The vaccine provides protection from infection with CPV-2a and CPV-2b, which are more common and widespread. There is evidence that the commercially available vaccines provide some protection from CPV-2c.
When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Vaccinating your dog is the most effective way to prevent infection.
Q:
How is CPV-2c infection managed?
A:
Strategies for reducing the spread of CPV-2c infection include isolation of ill dogs (as well as any dogs exposed to ill dogs), biosecurity measures (such as changing of clothes and hand washing after handling affected dogs), and effective sanitation. Parvoviruses are very hardy, are resistant to many disinfectants, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.
Q:
How is CPV-2c infection prevented?
A:
Although the commercially available parvovirus vaccines may not provide full protection from CPV-2c infection, they are effective against other parvoviral strains and may offer some protection from CPV-2c. Consult your veterinarian for an appropriate vaccination schedule for your dog.
Dogs with vomiting or diarrhea or other dogs who have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so.
For additional information:
Hong C, Decaro N, Desario C et al. Occurrence of canine parvovirus type 2c in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2007; 19: 535-539.
Kapil S, Cooper E, Lamm C et al. Canine parvovirus types 2c and 2b circulating in North American dogs in 2006 and 2007. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45: 4044-4047.
Oklahoma State University press release:
http://www.cvhs.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=437
Frequently Asked Questions about Canine Respiratory Coronavirus
April 2008
Q:
What is canine respiratory coronavirus?
A:
Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is a group 2 coronavirus. It is genetically related to the bovine coronavirus (which can cause respiratory infections in cattle) and the human coronavirus that causes the “common cold” in people.1,2 CRCoV is NOT related to the group 1 enteric coronavirus that can cause diarrhea in dogs.
Q:
Where does CRCoV occur?
A:
CRCoV was initially discovered in dogs with acute respiratory infection in England in 2003.1 This virus commonly infects dogs in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Italy, and Japan.3-6 Recent studies have shown that CRCoV is also present in the U.S. and Canada, where about 50% of tested dogs had antibodies to the virus, indicating past infection.6,7
Q:
What type of infection does CRCoV cause?
A:
CRCoV can cause an acute respiratory infection, and is part of the complex of viruses and bacteria associated with canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) or “kennel cough”. CRCoV infection alone can cause CIRD, but also occurs in co-infections with other canine respiratory pathogens such as parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, distemper virus, herpes virus, influenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Mycoplasma spp, and Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
Q:
Who is susceptible to CRCoV infection?
A:
The risk for CRCoV infection is highest when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities, dog shows, and racing greyhound kennels. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection. There is no evidence that CRCoV can infect other animal species or people.
Q:
How is CRCoV transmitted?
A:
As with other respiratory pathogens, CRCoV is highly contagious and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact, aerosols of respiratory secretions, and contact with contaminated environments or people. The most efficient transmission occurs by direct contact with infected dogs and by aerosols generated by coughing and sneezing. Virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Q:
What are the clinical signs of CRCoV infection?
A:
Most dogs have a mild disease consisting of cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Some dogs have a subclinical infection with no clinical signs, yet they shed virus that can infect other dogs. A small minority of dogs infected with CRCoV have progressed to pneumonia, particularly if co-infected with other respiratory pathogens. The incubation time from CRCoV exposure to clinical disease is unknown, but may be a few days. The number of days that virus is shed is also unknown. The clinical signs usually resolve after 1-2 weeks, depending on whether co-infection with other pathogens is involved.
Q:
How is CRCoV infection diagnosed?
A:
Virtually all the viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens in CIRD cause similar clinical signs of coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Therefore, CRCoV cannot be diagnosed based on clinical signs. IDEXX has developed a canine respiratory pathogen PCR panel that detects the nucleic acid of 7 respiratory pathogens, including CRCoV, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, distemper virus, herpes virus, influenza virus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. The URL for this diagnostic panel is: http://www.idexx.com/animalhealth/laboratory/realpcr/tests/crd.jsp. Nasal and pharyngeal swabs collected from dogs with clinical signs of CIRD can be submitted to IDEXX for this PCR panel.
Q:
What is the treatment for CRCoV infection?
A:
There is no specific anti-viral therapy for CRCoV infection. Treatment consists of supportive therapy based on clinical signs. Antibiotics may be needed if there are signs of secondary bacterial infection. Since CRCoV is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection. The quarantine time for infected dogs is unknown since the time period for virus shedding has not been defined. A conservative estimate based on other respiratory viruses is 3 weeks. However, co-infection with other pathogens such as distemper virus or Bordetella bronchiseptica will extend the quarantine time since these agents can be shed for months.
Q:
Is there a vaccine for CRCoV?
A:
At this time, there is no vaccine to prevent CRCoV infection or reduce the clinical disease. CRCoV is not related to the canine enteric coronavirus; therefore, vaccines for canine enteric coronavirus are NOT effective. Studies have shown that CRCoV infection generates antibodies that reduce the risk for re-infection or at least reduce the clinical disease if infection occurs. The duration of infection-induced immunity is unknown.
Q:
How is CRCoV infection managed?
A:
Important management strategies for reducing spread of CRCoV infection include isolation of sick and exposed dogs, biosecurity measures (such as changing of clothes and hand washing after handling affected dogs), and effective sanitation. The length of time that CRCoV persists in the environment is unknown, but may be at least several hours. Most viruses that cause CIRD are inactivated by routinely used disinfectants (except for adenovirus). Disinfected surfaces should be thoroughly dried because moisture promotes virus survival.
Q:
How is CRCoV infection prevented?
A:
Even though there is no vaccine for CRCoV, dogs in boarding/training kennels, shelters, and dog shows should be vaccinated against other respiratory pathogens for which vaccines are available, including parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, distemper virus, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. This will reduce the risk for co-infection with these pathogens. Clinical disease in dogs infected with CRCoV can be more severe if co-infections occur.
Importantly, dogs with respiratory infection and dogs exposed to other dogs with respiratory infection should not be taken to kennels or show grounds. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so.
References
Erles K, Toomey C, Brooks HW, Brownlie J. Detection of a group 2 coronavirus in dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease. Virology 2003; 310:216–223.
Erles K, Shiu KB, Brownlie J. Isolation and sequence analysis of canine respiratory coronavirus. Virus Res 2007; 124:78–87.
Erles K, Brownlie J. Investigation into the causes of canine infectious respiratory disease: antibody responses to canine respiratory coronavirus and canine herpesvirus in two kennelled dog populations. Arch Virol 2005; 150:1493–1504.
Priestnall SL, Brownlie J, Dubovi EJ, Erles K. Serological prevalence of canine respiratory coronavirus. Veterinary Microbiology 2006. 115:43–53.
Yachi A, Mochizuki M. Survey of dogs in Japan for group 2 canine coronavirus infection. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:2615–2618.
Priestnall SL, Pratelli A, Brownlie J, Erles K. Serological prevalence of canine respiratory coronavirus in southern Italy and epidemiological relationship with canine enteric coronavirus. J Vet Diagn Invest 2007; 19:176–180.
Ellis JA, McLean N, Hupaelo R, Haines DM. Detection of coronavirus in cases of tracheobronchitis in dogs: a retrospective study from 1971 to 2003. Can Vet J 2005; 46:447–448.
