Herpesvirus in Dogs and Fading Puppy Syndrome

Herpesvirus in Dogs Fading Puppy Syndrome

It is estimated that at least 70% of the canine population is infected with the canine herpesvirus (CHV), which generally does not cause clinically significant illness. However, the mortality rate of newborn puppies – that acquire the disease – is estimated at 100%. Indeed, CHV rapidly invades the entire body, affecting all organs, the lymphatic system, eyes, and central nervous system. This begets the question: how has the dog population survived after all of these years?

Background

Canine herpesvirus is an alpha-herpesvirus more closely related to feline herpesvirus, equine herpesvirus-1, pseudorabies virus and human varicella-zoster virus than to other herpesviruses. It is found worldwide in domestic and wild dogs, but not in other species. Seropositivity rates of more than 30% are commonly seen, although some infected dog kennels have antibody prevalence rates as high as 100%, yet without any evidence of disease in infected puppies. Transmission is by direct contact with infectious body fluids, since CHV is unstable in the environment. Like other herpesviruses, it becomes latent after a primary infection and is shed periodically, primarily in nasal or rarely in genital secretions.

The disease is usually asymptomatic in puppies exposed to CHV after 1-2 weeks of age. However, CHV infection is generally fatal in neonatal pups (1-4 weeks old) that lack maternal immunity. These pups may be infected during passage through their infected dam’s birth canal or, more commonly, by contact with oronasal secretions of the dam or other dogs in the kennel or home. Infected littermates, or neighboring dogs that are shedding virus, also can be sources of infection. The incubation period is about 6 – 10 days, and duration of illness in newborn pups is 1-3 days, with signs of anorexia, dyspnea, pain upon abdominal palpation, incoordination and a typical soft, yellow-green feces. There may be serous or hemorrhagic nasal discharge. Petechia (small pinpoint hemorrhages) are common on the mucous membranes, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) may occur. Rectal temperatures are usually not elevated.

Occasionally, CHV may cause in utero infections that result in the death of fetuses or pups shortly after birth. The virus also has been isolated from dogs with vaginitis, conjunctivitis and respiratory illness. Asymptomatically, dogs remain latently infected and virus can be excreted for about one week in nasal or genital secretions, and, thereafter, at variable intervals for several months or even years. Recrudescence of latent virus may be provoked by stress (e.g. movement to new quarters, introduction of new dogs) or experimentally from use of immuno- suppressive drugs; the virus sheds for about one week. Once the virus enters a kennel, it generally spreads and causes asymptomatic infections, except in pregnant dams or very young pups from susceptible mothers. Such intermittent shedding assures the survival of CHV in the dog population and in breeding kennels. Development of CHV immunity in the form of neutralizing antibodies is transferred to pups via the placenta and colostrum.

Clinical CHV Disease and Recommendations

Your first reaction to this scenario might be to remove the dog shedding the herpesvirus from your environment. Yes; this is advisable. The problem, however, is that adult dogs shedding the virus do not exhibit any symptoms. So, instead, we need to isolate the pregnant mother from all dogs three weeks before the litter’s birth to help prevent in utero infection. After the litter is born, we should continue to isolate the puppies and the mother for another three weeks to prevent transmission via colostrum or close contact with other dogs.

Herpesvirus survives in low body temperatures and does not do well in the environment. So, as a puppy ages, natural resistance to infection and the puppy’s ability to maintain a higher body temperature both increase. [Note: Do not expose puppies to dogs who have recently been vaccinated for parvovirus as the disease is shed through feces and urine.]

Clinical signs of canine herpesvirus (also known as Fading Puppy Syndrome), if presented are:

  • Lethargy
  • Decreased suckling
  • Diarrhea
  • Nasal discharge
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal edema
  • Red rash, rarely oral or genital vesicles
  • Soft, yellow-green feces
  • Notable absence of fever

Remember, though, that herpesvirus is fast-acting so clinical signs may never present. In this instance, pet caregivers want to be on the defensive by acting preventatively. Not only should all caregivers isolate the litter and the possibly immunologically naïve mother from other dogs three weeks before and after birth, but also:

  • Alert your veterinarian about the upcoming litter. Let the clinic know if the pregnant mother has or has not been exposed to CHV. If you are unsure, admit her to your veterinarian when close to her due date for observation.
  • Purchase incubators and set the temperature at 95°F [35°C], 50% relative humidity.
  • Provide spotless hygiene.

Future Breeding and Treatment of Neonates

The previously exposed or infected mother may be successfully bred and have future litters, as long as you skip the next estrous cycle and try again on the following one. In our experience, these females if bred again, as advised here, can have healthy litters by: harvesting plasma at the time of the initial clinical infection from infected dams or kennel mates determined to have anti-CHV antibodies, taking the puppies by cesarean section, and giving them two doses of the plasma perinatally (orally) and then 5-7 days later (intraperitoneally). Such treatment is effective only if virus has not generalized. Once the illness develops in pups, however, anti-CHV plasma therapy is ineffective.

Prevention with Vaccine

You might be thinking: how can puppies over the age of 3 weeks even be allowed exposure to other dogs without herpesvirus vaccination? Unlike distemper and parvovirus, no vaccine is available for CHV in the United States. Also, unlike distemper or parvovirus, canine herpesvirus is fickle.

An inactivated, subunit vaccine (Eurican Herpes 205, Merial Animal Health) has been available in Europe since 2003. As stated above, it is not available in the Unites States. It consists of purified CHV glycoproteins in a mineral oil solvent.

The vaccine is specifically indicated for mothers during pregnancy and two doses are given, first during estrus or early pregnancy and the second 1-2 weeks before the expected date of whelping. Although it has few undesirable effects, transient edema may occur at the injection site for up to one week. Presently, the value of this CHV vaccine in reducing neonatal puppy mortality is unknown.

Please remember that you may not save the entire litter from canine herpesvirus. And, pups that survive may have irreparable damage to some organs.

References

Creevy, Kate E., DVM. “Overview of Canine Herpesviral Infection.” Merck Veterinary Manual, Nov. 2022, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/canine-herpesviral-infection/overview-of-canine-herpesviral-infection.

Dodds, W. Jean, DVM. “Canine Neonatal Viral Diseases.” Antech News (2006): n. pag. Print.

Originally Published: July 17, 2017

Updated: May 3, 2024

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