Do You Know What you are Vaccinating Your Dog Against?- Adenovirus

Adenovirus is the “A” of a DAPP vaccine or the “H” of a DHLPP vaccine.  The “H” is for Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH), which is caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1).  There are actually two types of canine adenovirus. The other type, type 2 (CAV-2), causes Infectious Tracheobronchitis.

 Infectious Canine Hepatitis

 The word hepatitis means an infection of the liver.  Dogs most prone to ICH are those under one year of age and unvaccinated dogs.  The disease is spread by dog-to-dog transmission by contact with nasal secretions, urine, or feces of infected dogs.  Many animals that develop ICH go through an acute stage of the disease where they may die within a few hours.  If they survive the acute stage, the dogs will develop vomiting, diarrhea, and/or pain in the abdomen.  The virus may also affect the eyes and cause them to turn a bluish color.  This is called “blue eye” and is a hallmark of the disease.  Since blood clotting proteins are made in the liver, affected dogs may have trouble clotting their blood and develop nosebleeds, spontaneous bruising, and excessive bleeding from minor wounds.  Other dogs may develop seizures or go into a comatose state.

Diagnosing ICH can be difficult.  Blood and urine tests will usually indicate to the veterinarian that there is a problem with the liver and that is often enough information to start treatment.  Confirmatory tests can be expensive and involved.

There is no specific treatment for ICH.  Treatment just involves supportive care such as administration of IV fluids and blood or plasma transfusions if needed.  Some dogs will develop chronic liver problems as a result of ICH and will need to be on liver supportive medications for the rest of their lives.

 Infectious Tracheobronchitis

Adenovirus type 2 is one of many causes of Infectious Tracheobronchitis, this is also known as Kennel Cough.  Dogs that are around other dogs are at risk for developing this disease.  This includes taking your dog to grooming, boarding, dog parks, doggy daycares, and even veterinary hospitals.  Dogs of all ages can develop kennel cough, but puppies are more likely to develop pneumonia as a complication of kennel cough.  This is an airborne disease, so your dog does not have to actually come in physical contact with another dog to develop the disease.

Most dogs with kennel cough develop a mild form of the disease and a cough is the only abnormality observed.  Dogs that are not vaccinated and puppies may develop more severe signs.  The cough of a dog with kennel cough can be described as a deep hacking cough.  Many owners think the dog has something stuck in its throat.  Usually dogs will still have a good appetite and normal activity level.  More severely affected dogs may have fever, discharge from the nose and eyes, and trouble breathing.         

Diagnosis is usually made based on history and clinical signs.  Sometimes more advanced testing is done if the pet does not respond to the first round of therapy. 

Many dogs that have a healthy immune system will clear the disease on their own without specialized treatment.  However, secondary bacterial infections are common so many veterinarians will dispense a round of antibiotics if they suspect your dog has kennel cough.  Dogs that go on to develop pneumonia will need further therapy and are usually hospitalized. 

Vaccines against adenovirus usually contain either the type 1 or the type 2 strand, not both.  However, since they are so similar, vaccination with one strand will protect against both ICH and tracheobronchitis.        

If you have any questions, feel free to write them in the comments section or visit www.zutillavet.com.