Canine Rotavirus Infection: Symptoms, Prevention, and T

Characteristics of the Disease

This condition does not exhibit a distinct seasonal pattern, typically striking late winter and early spring. It is primarily transmitted through the digestive tract. Puppies may present with severe symptoms, and the disease can become more severe and have a higher mortality rate in cases of poor sanitation or when coinfected with adenovirus. The disease can be crosstransmitted among dogs and other susceptible animals. Infected humans, animals, and asymptomatic carriers are significant sources of transmission.

Symptoms

The incubation period for this disease usually ranges from 1 to 3 days. Affected dogs may show signs of depression, reduced appetite, and reluctance to move. They generally experience vomiting followed by diarrhea, with feces appearing yellow or brown, watery, and having a foul odor. Severe dehydration can lead to death. Puppies younger than 1 week often suffer from sudden diarrhea, with feces sometimes containing mucus or blood. Due to dehydration and imbalances in acidbase equilibrium, they may experience a rapid heart rate (up to 180200 beats per minute) and a drop in body and skin temperature, often leading to death from exhaustion.

Pathological Changes

Lesions are primarily found in the small intestine, particularly in the last twothirds of the jejunum and ileum. The villi of the small intestine atrophy, with columnar epithelial cells swelling, necrotizing, and shedding. Some segments of the intestine may exhibit diffuse hemorrhaging, and the intestinal contents appear yellowgreen, mixed with blood.

Differential Diagnosis

1. Canine Rotavirus Infection vs. Canine Coronavirus Infection

Both infections present with vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and respiratory difficulties.

Distinguishing Features: Canine rotavirus infection primarily affects the small intestine without significant pathological changes in other organs; canine coronavirus infection is characterized by severe diarrhea, with feces appearing white, yellow, green, or brown, sometimes喷射状. The gastric mucosa may hemorrhage and slough off, and there may be enlargement of the spleen and gallbladder.

2. Canine Rotavirus Infection vs. Canine Parvovirus Infection

Both infections present with vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and respiratory difficulties.

Distinguishing Features: Canine rotavirus infection primarily affects the small intestine without significant pathological changes in other organs; canine parvovirus infection is more common in puppies aged 24 months, with visible intestinal mucosal congestion, hemorrhaging, and necrosis. The mucosal lymph nodes are swollen, congested, and hemorrhagic. Nonsuppurative necrosis may be found in the myocardium or endocardium, with soft myocardium.

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Precautions

Rotavirus outbreaks are more common during the cold season of late winter and early spring, primarily affecting young dogs and cats, leading to acute, simple diarrhea with a high incidence and low mortality rate. The primary lesions are generally found in the small intestine of the digestive tract. Based on these characteristics, a preliminary diagnosis can be made, but laboratory testing is necessary for confirmation.

Preventive Measures

1. Prevention

① Prevention primarily involves vaccination with the canine heptavalent attenuated virus vaccine.

② In the event of an outbreak, affected dogs should be immediately isolated, and their living areas and equipment should be disinfected.

Treatment

The treatment principle is antiviral, prevention of secondary infection, and symptomatic treatment.

1. Antiviral

Ribavirin, administered at 57 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, once daily;

Acyclovir, administered at 510 mg/kg body weight by intravenous infusion, once daily for 10 days;

Interferon, administered at 1020 units per dose by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, every other day.

2. Antidiarrheal

Octasilicate montmorillonite, administered at 250500 mg/kg body weight orally, twice daily for 24 days;

WediCon, administered at 0.020.08 g/kg body weight orally, twice daily for 24 days.

3. Gastrointestinal Mucosal Protection

Sodium aluminum sulfate, administered at 0.51 g/25 kg body weight orally, twice to four times daily.

4. Rehydration

Intravenous administration of lactic Ringer's solution, 50% glucose saline, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution to prevent dehydration and acidbase disturbances.