VIRAL ENTERITIS IN DOGS
General Information:
Viral enteritis is an inflammation of the intestinal tract caused
by a virus. Viruses that cause enteritis include:
Some of these viruses cause severe life-threatening illness, while
others cause only a mild digestive upset. The herpesvirus of dogs
does not affect people.
Viral enteritis is easily transmitted to susceptible dogs. Puppies, aged dogs and those weakened by illness are most susceptible. Dogs become infected by swallowing the virus particles or by direct contact with infected feces, saliva or vomit. Viruses may be carried on clothing, shoes, feeding utensils and some insects and birds. Some of these viruses can survive several months in the environment.
These viruses attack the lining of the intestinal tract, destroying certain portions of the absorptive villi and thereby causing the characteristic signs of their disease entities:
Diagnostic Information:
Diagnosis is based on proving the presence of the offending viral
organism in your pets intestinal tract. A rapid, in-house fecal
test has been developed which provides an accurate testing means
for parvoviral infections.
Blood tests are necessary to diagnose and monitor the response
to treatment of viral enteritis.
Treatment Information:
Because dogs with viral enteritis cannot keep down oral medications
and foods, hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy are often
necessary. Many veterinarians also administer the following medications
during the treatment period:
Antibiotic Injection - to prevent the occurrence of secondary bacterial infections
Anti-emetic Injection - to prevent vomiting and the loss of vital fluids and electrolytes in the vomitus
Anti-diarrhea Medication - to prevent diarrhea and the
loss of vital fluids
Home Care
Give all medication as directed. Call your veterinarian's office
if you cannot give the medication.
It is very important to force your pet to drink as much liquid (Pedialyte or Gatorade) as possible. We recommend using a 60 ml syringe and dosing it every 1 to 2 hours. Your vet can show you how to administer the liquid and calculate an approximate amount.
Food should be withheld until your pet is holding down the liquids without vomiting.
Once food is introduced, it should be in the form of a very bland diet (boiled chicken and rice with no additives or Hill's Presciption i/d).
Prognosis
The prognosis varies greatly depending on the specific organism
involved. Parvoviral infection is by far the most severe and deadly
for your pet. The prognosis depends on the age of your pet, any
history of vaccines, length of time before treatment is initiated
and the treatment means pursued.
Typically, within three to five days of initiation of treatment
your veterinarian will have a good idea of whether or not your
pet will continue to improve and survive, or if the prognosis
is poor.
Recommendations:
All puppies should be started on a vaccination program at six
weeks of age. They should be vaccinated every three weeks until
approximately 21 weeks of age. Yearly vaccination for prevention
of parvovirus and coronavirus is recommended.