Scource: Nadezhda Rakhmanina - Russian veterinarian, candidate of veterinary sciences, and a specialist in virology and infectious diseases
New Canine Virus !!!
At the end of March–April, an outbreak of a new viral infection was recorded in Serbia. Many dogs have already died, and dog shows are being postponed or canceled. The infection is extremely dangerous and severe, caused by
Amdoparvovirus (AMDV)
This virus is closely related to raccoon dog amdovirus and the virus that causes mink enteritis/aleutian mink disease (viral plasmacytosis of mink).
We have also registered outbreaks of this disease here in Russia. Samples from several dogs under my care presenting with severe symptoms over the course of the year came back positive !
Preliminary data on this disease:
The virus belongs to the family Parvoviridae, genus Amdoparvovirus—it is a non-enveloped DNA virus and highly stable in the environment (like all members of the "parvo" family).
✔️ Incubation period: from 1 week to 2 years
✔️ Course of infection: can be acute, subacute, chronic, or slow
✔️ Asymptomatic viral shedding/carriage is possible!
❗️Dogs of all ages get sick, but apparently, not all breeds are equally susceptible. Currently, the severe form of the infection is registered primarily in DOBERMANS.
Clinical signs vary and depend on the form of the infection:
Acute course: Acute hepatitis is registered (very high elevation of all liver markers), icterus (jaundice), anorexia, with possible vomiting and diarrhea. As a rule, pronounced hyperthermia (fever) is present. Death can occur suddenly with signs of sepsis. "Blue eye" ocular lesions are also frequently observed (in this form, the infection resembles canine adenoviral hepatitis).
Subacute course: Symptoms may begin with ocular lesions (retinal detachment, plasmoma, etc.), followed by various lesions/nodules in the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. The disease progresses with the development of respiratory symptoms and/or liver dysfunction (acute cholangiohepatitis) and kidney dysfunction (resembling acute glomerulonephritis, renal fibrosis). Blood clotting disorders are observed, leading to nosebleeds and/or GI bleeding (usually, diarrhea with black, tarry stool is registered shortly before death). In this form, the infection can resemble leptospirosis or vector-borne canine diseases.
Chronic course: In bitches, abortions and the birth of non-viable offspring may be observed. Emaciation and cachexia, depigmentation of the coat, joint involvement, spontaneous fractures (which do not cause pain), abscesses/phlegmons/oozing non-healing fistulas, eye lesions (purulent conjunctivitis and keratitis), and coagulation disorders. In the chronic form, pay attention to blood metrics—elevated total protein and decreased albumin. Marked hyperglobulinemia (polyclonal gammopathy), a decreased albumin-to-globulin ratio, and elevated CRP are observed. Clinical symptoms may resemble autoimmune diseases or brucellosis. Death most commonly occurs due to the development of immunodeficiency, secondary pathologies, and bacterial infections (including sepsis).
Histological changes: Plasmacytic proliferation in parenchymal (primarily) and other organs. Systemic plasmacytosis.
⛔️ Currently, no effective treatment has been developed.
☢️ It is crucial to establish diagnostics to identify sick animals and viral carriers in order to stop the spread of the virus.
