Coronavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea in dogs. The seriousness of the illness depends largely on the age of the dog and if it has other infections that weaken its system. Puppies are especially vulnerable, as they are physically less strong and have weaker immune systems than adult dogs. This makes them less able to cope with severe diarrhea and more likely to die from a coronavirus infection. Because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, and its severity in certain dogs, it is a good idea to know its symptoms and to know what to do if you suspect your dog has is.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:
-
Identify the symptoms of coronavirus. Diarrhea is the common symptom, although this can occur for a variety of reasons. The diarrhea related to coronavirus is often very liquid with a foul smell, and yellow-orange in appearance. [1] X Research source The diarrhea is often accompanied by stomach cramps, which make the dog depressed and miserable, and its likely to lose interest in food.
- Unlike with parvovirus, vomiting is rare.
- The diarrhea usually persists for several days, and if the dog is supported through this period so that it doesn't become dehydrated, its immune system should fight off the infection and make a recovery.
-
Be especially cautious if your dog already has another virus. A dog that is fighting two infections, such as parvovirus and coronavirus, is less able to cope and is less likely to recover. However, in itself coronavirus is not as serious as distemper or parvovirus and adult dogs often survive infection.
- Indeed, it should also be noted that many adult dogs that are well test positive for coronavirus, which is a sign of previous infection but they made a full recovery, and are now immune to further coronavirus infection. [2] X Research source
Advertisement -
Take a puppy with diarrhea to the veterinarian immediately. The biggest danger is to very young puppies (under 12 weeks of age), who tend to be physically weak and lack a fully functional immune system. They are vulnerable to death from fluid loss causing dehydration and organ failure.
- Indeed, young puppies are also at greatest risk of picking up other infections, especially if kept in insanitary conditions, which further reduces their ability to cope and decreases their chances of survival. [3] X Research source
-
Suspect coronavirus if your dog has been around other dogs or in a place where other dogs congregate. It is a highly infectious virus which persists in the environment and can be picked up when a dog sniffs or licks infected feces. Thus, a dog does not need direct contact with another dog to acquire infection.
- This also means that places where groups of dogs congregate, such as a kennels or day-care, have the potential to act as a source of infection unless scrupulous hygiene and cleaning is observed. [4] X Research source
- Happily, the virus is readily destroyed by most disinfectants. [5] X Research source
- Once a dog acquires infection, the virus replicates (reproduces) in the gut wall in the first two-thirds of the bowel. The incubation period between infection and clinical signs of illness can be just one to four days.
-
Make sure your dog is hydrated. Any dog that has diarrhea should be closely monitored to make sure they are drinking water regularly and not vomiting it back. Check regularly for dehydration by lifting the skin of the scruff away from the neck and then letting it go. The skin should snap immediately back into place. If it takes a second or two to slip back down, the dog is dehydrated and veterinary support is required.
- However, if you have a young puppy diarrhea don't even wait, but seek the advice of your veterinarian since puppies can deteriorate alarmingly quickly.
Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:
-
Decide whether to seek a specific diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for coronavirus, so knowing exactly which bug is causing diarrhea or illness may not necessarily alter the therapy given.
- If your funds are limited, there is an argument that the money is best spent giving the puppy supportive care, such as intravenous fluids against dehydration and medication. This should decrease stomach cramps and help the dog feel better more quickly.
-
Allow your vet to take a blood or stool sample from your dog. In cases where it's appropriate to put a name on the infectious agent, then the veterinarian can either use feces or blood. A sample of feces can be sent for electron microscopy to look for the presence of the coronavirus. This virus has a typical appearance with a "crown" or "corona" of spikes sticking out from the surface. Alternatively the vet may take blood samples. Different tests are available and the choice is up to the individual clinician and the facilities of the lab they deal with.
- However, viruses are too small to see with a regular light microscope and it requires the advanced technology and magnification of an electron microscope to detect them. This means sending the sample away to a specialist lab for analysis. [6] X Research source Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
- Virus isolation looks for the presence of the virus in the bloodstream, while antibody titres look for the defense response mounted by the body in the face of coronavirus infection. These tests can give vital clues that the dog has been in contact with coronavirus.
- However, exposure does not necessarily mean illness. Think of vaccination and how a low level of the infectious agent is given in order to provoke an immune response. Just because virus is present in the body, doesn't automatically mean it is this that is making the dog ill.
- The vet will make a decision about the significance of the finding based on how compelling the levels are (low or high) and the pet's physical symptoms and how seriously ill they are. [7] X Research source Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
-
Allow further testing if you are concerned about additional or different infections. Further testing can build up the bigger picture. For example, could the dog have more than one problem, such as infection with parvovirus plus coronavirus. Further testing of the blood or feces could also identify different infectious agents that produce similar symptoms but have a treatment option (such as giardia or campylobacter). Tests that come back negative can also help to rule coronavirus off the list of possibilities. [8] X Research source Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
- Further testing will cost you more money, especially if you don't have pet insurance. That is why it is up to you to decide whether or not to move forward.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
References
- ↑ http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_canine_coronavirus_infection
- ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=415
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/care/coronavirus-in-dogs
- ↑ https://www.vetinfo.com/diagnosis-canine-coronavirus.html
- ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=415
- ↑ Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
- ↑ Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
- ↑ Studies on the epizootiology of canine coronavirus. Tennant, Gaskell, Jones et al. Vet Rec 132.
About this article
Article Summary
X
To diagnose canine coronavirus, note if your dog is experiencing diarrhea, stomach cramps, and loss of appetite. Since these things can be a sign of multiple illnesses, you’ll also want to consider if your dog has been to a dog park, kennel, or day-care lately since coronavirus is highly contagious. If your dog is under 12 weeks of age and has diarrhea, take it to the vet immediately since loss of fluid can be fatal. While older dogs typically recover from coronavirus without any complications, you’ll still want to visit the vet to see if there’s a secondary infection that’s lowering its immune system or if it has become dehydrated. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to tell if your dog is dehydrated, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 12,868 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "My dog is acting depressed and not his normal self. At least this article gave me relief about the Covid-19."
Advertisement
"My dog is acting depressed and not his normal self. At least this article gave me relief about the Covid-19."
