Affects: Dogs
Canine herpesvirus (CHV) is a species of virus of the family Orthoherpesviridae which most importantly causes a fatal hemorrhagic disease in puppies (and in wild Canidae) less than two to three weeks old. It is known to exist in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, England and Germany. CHV was first recognized in the mid-1960s from a fatal disease in puppies.
Diagnosis, Treatment, And Control: Diagnosis of the disease in puppies is best accomplished by necropsy. Findings include hemorrhages in the kidneys, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of affected puppies is difficult, although injecting antibodies to CHV into the abdomen may help some to survive. Keeping the puppies warm is also important. The virus does not survive well outside of the body and is easily destroyed by most detergents. A vaccine in Europe known as Eurican Herpes 205 (ATCvet code: QI07AA06) has been available since 2003. It is given to the dam (mother) twice: during heat or early pregnancy and one to two weeks before whelping.