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Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad"
Rumenacki put 20, 21113 Novi Sad, R. Serbia
Tel.: + 381 (0)21 4895-300; Fax: + 381(0)21 4895-344; web: http://niv.ns.ac.rs ; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
No: 1363-10
Date: 05.08.2026
To all interested parties
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Emergence of a previously unregistered viral disease in dogs caused by an amdoparvovirus (amdovirus) genetically most similar to raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus
Dear Sirs,
We hereby inform you of the emergence of a previously unregistered disease in dogs, which has so far been identified exclusively among individuals of the Doberman breed. Based on data from epizootiological, clinical, pathomorphological, and laboratory investigations, the infection was confirmed in the Doberman dog population in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the City of Belgrade, and most likely exists in other parts of our country as well.
The disease, which is multi-systemic in nature and accompanied by milder as well as severe clinical manifestations, has caused great unrest among owners and breeders of Doberman dogs who are seeking information and instructions on what to do and how to act. Recognizing our role in this entire case, and with the aim of preventing the spread of various "half-information", i.e., unverified information and disinformation that can be found on social networks, we are publishing this announcement to inform the professional public and all interested parties about the facts that we have indisputably established so far during our professional, specialist, and scientific-research work.
Experts from the Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", in cooperation with the competent national veterinary inspection, were officially involved in epizootiological surveillance and laboratory diagnostics of cases of disease in Doberman dogs at a dog training facility in the village of Čortanovci, Inđija municipality, starting from March 2026. We do not have data on whether this was the first case of illness in Dobermans in Serbia, but it was the first case under our supervision. During the continuous monitoring of the infection/disease development at the specified location, numerous biochemical, hematological, serological, microbiological, virological, pathomorphological, and histopathological examinations were conducted.
Based on all diagnostic findings and epizootiological, clinical, and other examinations collected to date, we can highlight the following:
Etiology of the disease
Through laboratory testing—ranging from biochemical, hematological, and serological to microbiological and virological testing—all previously relevant microbiological agents relative to the clinical picture observed in affected individuals were ruled out. Leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, adenovirus, and canine distemper, as well as corona, parvo, and herpes viral infections of dogs, along with influenza—meaning infectious diseases known to us that occur in dogs and can have similar clinico-pathological manifestations—were excluded. Given the negative findings obtained, metagenomic testing (via "next generation sequencing" – NGS, i.e., third-generation sequencing) was conducted at the Department of Virology, involving whole-genome sequencing of organ samples from several severely ill and subsequently deceased Doberman dogs. The investigation revealed that a surprisingly high percentage of all identified viral genomic (nucleotide) sequences (99% of all sequences) belonged to a single virus, whose complete genome was assembled using bioinformatic tools to a length of 4,799 nucleotides. By comparing available data in the gene bank (NCBI GenBank, USA), the detected virus was confirmed as a member of the genus Amdoparvovirus. The similarity of the detected virus in Dobermans to the genomes of viruses available in the gene bank was highest with the genomic sequences of raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus (Raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus – RFAV) at 97%, indicating the origin and similarity of the detected virus, which stood out as a distinct strain within the RFAV species. The complete genome of the detected virus was then published in the gene bank (NCBI GenBank, USA) under accession number PZ348355. Based on the knowledge of the newly detected virus's genome and literature-available data, a molecular diagnostic PCR test was designed for the detection of this virus. Using this test during and after its laboratory validation, all clinically and epizootiologically linked cases were confirmed positive for the presence of the RFAV virus, while healthy dogs, as well as dogs that were not epizootiologically linked to the sick individuals, tested negative. Additionally, other animal species that were in contact or cohabitation with the affected animals, as well as those that were not in contact, tested negative during testing. In this manner, the detected virus was further confirmed as the cause of the identified health issues in Dobermans.
Epizootiology
Epizootiological investigation established that the disease appeared in the specified dog training facility in the second half of December 2025, following the import of Dobermans from Russia. About ten days after arrival, the first imported female dog, aged 7 months, fell ill with characteristic symptoms, after which the infection spread to all other Dobermans that had been in contact with these females. Following agent detection and PCR test development, it was established that viremia in infected individuals lasts a long time—specifically several months (the exact duration is currently unknown)—and the presence of the viral genome was detected in various secretions and excretions. A particular problem from the perspective of maintaining and spreading the infection is subclinically infected individuals that shed the virus but show no pronounced clinical symptoms, or whose symptoms are so mild as to go unrecognized. Furthermore, research to date and available data do not indicate any zoonotic potential of the virus.
Clinical picture and pathology
Based on data collected during clinical examinations, pathomorphological, pathohistological, and other laboratory testing, the condition is a multi-systemic disease with a chronic course, rather than a peracute or acute illness. The incubation period is variable and can range from most commonly two weeks up to two to three months. The clinical syndrome observed in all infected dogs monitored so far includes: bilateral mucopurulent conjunctivitis with discharge from the eyes, which may be accompanied by similar discharge from the nose, marked hyperemia of the sclera and conjunctiva, progressive weight loss despite preserved appetite, poor coat quality, and biochemically altered hepatogram with multiple-fold increases in values
transaminases. Of other symptoms, present in a larger number of dogs are: corneal clouding described as "blue eye," dry and hyperkeratotic paw pads (hard pad) and hyperkeratotic nasal planum on which rhagades may or may not appear, followed by coughing, arthritis, and in the terminal phase of individual dogs, neurological deficits (epileptiform seizures, ataxia accompanied by hemiparesis). Extreme cachexia and failure of various organs or organ systems are the most common cause of death or euthanasia of animals in the terminal stages of the disease. Pathomorphological examination established that numerous parenchymal organs are affected by visible changes, with the most pronounced changes observed in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
Disease Diagnostics
Based on knowledge of the detected amdoparvovirus genome and literature-available data, a molecular diagnostic PCR test was designed to detect part of the conserved VP2 gene of this virus, which, after laboratory validation of the method, was introduced as a commercially available test in the offer of the Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad". Using the mentioned PCR test, all samples originating from previously established clinical cases of the disease were confirmed as positive. As previously stated, all tested healthy dogs, dogs of other breeds, dogs not epizootiologically linked to infected Dobermans, and individuals of other animal species had negative PCR test results. In infected individuals, the presence of the virus was confirmed in blood with anticoagulant (EDTA), urine, kidneys, spleen, liver, brain, lungs, testes, semen, ileocecal lymph nodes, and oro-pharyngeal, rectal, as well as eye mucosal swabs, indicating systemic distribution of the pathogen. At this moment, the mentioned PCR test is the only diagnostic test that can confirm the diagnosis of the disease with certainty. Given that viremia (presence of virus in the blood) has been established in infected animals—which may or may not show clinical signs of disease—over a long period of time (at this moment, we can confirm it lasts at least 3 months, as established in more than one sick animal), blood with EDTA anticoagulant is the sample of choice when sending material for diagnostic testing to determine the presence of infection in animals.
Diagnostic testing can be conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Virology at the Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad" (contact: Sample Reception Department: +381214895335; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; with the message subject "Amdoparvovirus").
Prevention and Disease Control
Since this is a newly discovered disease in dogs, there is currently no specific prevention for the infection that would involve active immunization through vaccination, nor a developed set of preventive measures and protocols that would reliably prevent the transmission and spread of the virus. General biosecurity measures involving: diagnostic testing of susceptible individuals for the presence of the virus, avoiding contact of infected dogs with uninfected ones, controlling the movement of infected animals, postponing or cancelling events where a large number of dogs gather, or allowing participation only of dogs with a negative PCR result (not older than 7 days) and without the previously described clinical signs, represent the basis for preventing the spread of infection in the population of susceptible dogs. We emphasize here that the infection has so far been confirmed only in dogs of the Doberman breed. At this moment, we have no evidence of the emergence of infection in other breeds, but caution dictates that special attention should also be paid to other breeds within the pinscher group. Also, epizootiological investigations show that the virus is resistant in the external environment and can be transmitted indirectly, via humans, equipment, and transport vehicles. Breeders and owners are advised to reduce contact between different kennels to a minimal necessity. Before introducing new individuals into a kennel that is free of infection, it is mandatory to request that the dog has a negative PCR test, and that the kennel of origin is tested and free of the virus. A newly arrived individual should be placed in quarantine for 21 - 30 days, tested, and only after obtaining a negative PCR test result should it be introduced among the remaining dogs. Considering that the causative agent is a virus from the family Parvoviridae, it can with high probability be considered highly resistant in the external environment, so verified disinfectants based on potassium peroxymonosulfate (e.g., Virkon S) should be used at a working concentration of 2%, along with mandatory prior mechanical cleaning and sanitary washing of surfaces. We recommend a contact time lasting at least 10 minutes. As an alternative, sodium hypochlorite can be used. The proven presence of the viral genome in the urine of infected dogs at high concentrations indicates that surfaces contaminated with urine should be treated with particular care.
Instead of a Conclusion
Currently, the Institute's research team is working on a more detailed investigation of the aforementioned epizootiological, diagnostic, pathological, and pathohistological aspects, as well as many other aspects of this health problem in dogs (Doberman breed), with the aim of better understanding its pathogenesis and risk factors. In parallel, intensive research focus is placed on optimizing diagnostic methods, including the development of additional tests to detect the pathogen itself, as well as the development and establishment of a serological test to determine the presence of specific antibodies. Such tests would provide not only additional confirmation of disease cases, but also additional information for tracking infection in animals, and would represent a suitable tool for epizootiological surveillance of virus circulation in the dog population.
The research results that we obtain in the coming period will, as before, also be shared with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ivan Pušić, Senior Research Associate
Dr. Sara Savić, Scientific Advisor
Dr. vet. Vladimir Gajdov, Research Assistant
Dr. Tamaš Petrović, Scientific Advisor
Director of the Institute
Dr. Marko Pajić, Senior Research Associate
