Enteritis appeared worldwide in 1978. Feces are source of this disease which have typical symptoms as vomiting, fever, and severe diarrhea. Distinct odor smell that is hard to forget of infected dog's feces are the most obvious sign of enteritis. It can affect dogs of all age, but it is most often seen in puppy. Mature dog also suffer from it but its virulence is mild or moderate.

According to the observation, some breeds such as Doberman and Rottweiler seem to more susceptible than other breeds.

Diagnosis can be made by sending feces to laboratory for analysis or by white blood count.

Cause

There are two viruses that are potentially pathogens for Enteritis. They are Canine parvo virus and Canine corona virus. Although their symptoms is quite the same, their virulence is different. Many researcher think that this virus is mutant of Feline parvo virus.

Symptoms

Viruses can damage many tissues that have high activity of cell division. The samples are bowels, bone marrow, and puppy's heart. So we can divide its symptoms into two groups. One is symptoms of bowels or Gastroenteritis. Another one is symptoms of Heart or Myocarditis. However both are rarely occur in the same time.

1) Gastroenteritis : When dog infect virus, dog seem to be depressed, not want to eat, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. In the early stage, dog's feces are watery, but still in the natural color. If the disease continue progress, feces will change color into brown and have distinct odor smell. This is the characteristic of Enteritis. Pathogenesis of this symptom are inflammation of gastrointestinal epithelium. Virus can attack the epithelial cells that form villi so surface for absorption nutrient in bowels is decreased and also include bleeding. The follower are dehydration and malabsorption. Food and water entering the bowels will accumulate in its lumen. The physiological response are increase motility of bowels to eliminate decayed food and water so watery odor diarrhea. In this condition puppy will die shortly. Survival depend on type of virus and condition of disease. If dog infect Corona virus, it will spontaneous heal. But this is contrast in the case of Parvo virus. Dog should be taken to the veterinarian for supportive therapy.

2) Myocarditis : Occurrence are less than gastroenteritis. It is seen only in less than 2 months puppy, because the heart cell or myocardium of puppy still dividing. When puppy infect virus, it will stop suckling, and begin vomiting. Inflammation of the heart lead to damage its gross structure and cause heart failure.

3) Immunosuppression : Only Parvo virus attack bone marrow and lymph nodes. Corona virus doesn't do this. If bone marrow and lymph nodes are dysfunction, total white blood count in blood stream will decrease. So the immunity of body will decrease. This condition can lead to secondary infection. Another viruses, bacteria, or parasites can easily invade dog's body. Complications will follow and cause harmful disease such as bronchopneumonia, and septic shock.

Virulence

In the case of Parvo virus the end result is usually fatal. Corona virus is less harmful. The age of dog are also important. If disease occur in puppy, it often lead to death. In mature dog the symptoms is more gentle. The possibility for healing is higher.

Cure

The best way is taking dog to see the veterinarian as soon as possible. Because in the early stage dog only lose water and electrolyte. Injection of intensive fluid can be potential. But if disease has been occurred so long, the gross structure of bowels will be damaged. This condition is hard to recover. Many drugs will be administrated depend on dog's condition.

1) Water and mineral for replacement of fluid loss

2) Glucose provide energy for body homeostasis

3) Antiemetic drug for inhibition of vomiting and antibiotics for prevention of secondary inflammation

Prevention

1) Inject enteritis vaccine or combination vaccine.

2) Clean dog's living place by antimicrobial agents.

Information on this page is not intended to offer medical advice and not specific for any breeds.

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