The invisible enemy - symptoms of enteritis in dogs, treatment of parvovirus, coronovirus forms. Viral enteritis in dogs: types, symptoms, treatment Viral enteritis in puppies treatment

Every owner loves their dog, worries and cares about its health. Unfortunately, our smaller friends are exposed to various diseases quite often. To protect them from diseases and their consequences, you need to know the main signs and methods of their treatment. Consider enteritis in dogs . The knowledge gained will protect you from many troubles.

Viral enteritis belongs to the group of infectious diseases that cause, which is included in the list of the five most common in dogs.

It is relatively new, but has a very high mortality rate , the death statistics are almost equal to. In our regions, this disease was first noticed in the eightieth year of the last century.

During the first outbreak, natural immunity had not yet been developed, which caused massive deaths of animals. For relatively young dogs, on average from two to nine years old, the infection is deadly. The most severe complications are observed in puppies.

Puppies are most susceptible to severe complications.

Enteritis primarily provokes disruption of the heart, kidneys, and other internal organs.

Genetic predisposition

Certain breeds do not have a genetic predisposition to it, but Doberman Pinschers, Whippets and East European Shepherds are less susceptible to the disease than others.

Doberman dogs have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

This problem is dangerous for dogs of any age and breed. But it practically does not affect other animals, and does not pose any threat to people.

Characteristic signs and symptoms of enteritis in dogs

Approximately ten hours after the virus enters the body, four to five times a day.

A dog's diarrhea begins approximately 10 hours after exposure to the virus.

Coronavirus and rotavirus enteritis

With enteritis, the dog begins to drink a lot of water.

Parvovirus enteritis provokes a decrease in the dog’s temperature to 37.5 degrees.

In this case, the pet defecates very often with at intervals of twenty or forty minutes. Stool discharge occurs in a sharp stream, sometimes at a distance of up to a meter, has a pungent odor, brown or green color and watery structure. There are pieces of skin and small tubes in the stool. Vomiting occurs every half hour.

The disease most affects the intestines, destruction of the mucous membrane occurs, its exfoliated particles can be released along with feces. Because of this, a larger volume of cells disintegrate and release toxins that damage the walls of blood vessels. Which in turn provokes the movement of fluid into the walls and cavity of the intestine, increasing its size. On damaged intestinal surfaces, active proliferation of microbes occurs, which provoke intoxication of the entire body. Through the blood, the virus can travel to all internal organs, including the heart, destroying it.

After twelve hours, the intensity of the attacks decreases and they occur less frequently. The temperature drops from forty to thirty-seven and a half degrees. After five days, the body produces a considerable amount of antibodies in order to bind viruses. But by this time, most of the pathogens have already moved to the intestines and heart. Therefore, antibodies often do not have time to get to their localization sites, because the body’s protective function is significantly inferior to infection in the rate of development.

Risk of death

The most life-threatening periods are from the second to the fifth day, from the seventh to the twelfth.

Days 2-5 have a high risk of death.

It is at this time that the risk of death is high. Even with high-quality and timely medical care, there is a high percentage of animal deaths: rotavirus enteritis is less than five percent, coronavirus enteritis is up to ten. The most dangerous is the parovirus type of the disease. The mortality rate for its victims is more than eighty percent.

Causes and routes of infection

The causative agents of the enteritis virus are transmitted through sick individuals; the main source in large cities is stray dogs that do not have proper care and living conditions.

Stray dogs are carriers of the enteritis virus.

They are excreted in feces and vomit, in which they can persist for more than one day even at zero temperature. Viruses are quite tenacious, they do not change their structure even at sixty degrees of heat, they die only when exposed to direct sunlight.

Transfer methods

Dogs that have been stressed are especially vulnerable to the disease.

There are two ways of transmitting viral enteritis: contact and non-contact.

The first involves direct contact with an infected animal or carrier. In the process of sniffing and licking them, you can become infected. But pathogens are also transmitted through food or water, care items, and bedding.
Treatment of enteritis includes restoring the dog's immunity.

All types of enteritis have significant differences from each other. But the process of combating them has a number of general directions:

destroy the causative agent of the virus;

restore the required amount of fluid;

cleanse the body of toxins;

restoration of immunity;

restore proper functioning of the digestive system;

maintaining heart function.

Stages of treatment

Catozal is a drug used to fight infection.

The first stage of treatment must be carried out by a veterinarian , because the infection can only be overcome by injecting special drugs into a vein. After all, due to a large loss of fluid, other injections will not be absorbed.

Used to fight infection serum or immunoglobulin containing antibodies . But they are not administered intravenously. They often resort to the use of catozal, erbisol and other agents that stimulate the immune system. Intravenous administration of a salt solution (disol, trisol, quartosol), as well as glucose. Which solution and its concentration is prescribed by the doctor, based on the dog’s condition. Glucose is used only in the form of a five percent solution.

Toxins are eliminated by hydrolysine and its analogues . In this case, it is necessary to use substances that support the functioning of the liver (glutargin), because it is the liver that is involved in the treatment of intoxication. There are also medications that provide complex treatment. For example, taking polyoxidonium or lycopidium guarantees the removal of toxins and increased immunity.

Metoproclamide helps stop vomiting . The main danger lies in the rapid development of microbes in the affected areas of the intestine. This problem can only be eliminated with antibiotics. In this case, it is necessary to include in the course of treatment the use of enterosgel, oak bark extract or flax seeds. They have an enveloping and bonding effect. But you can start intestinal rehabilitation only from the second day of infection.

Love and attention to him will help save the life of your pet after suffering from enteritis. . Protect the animal from any stress and increased physical activity. The pet will need to follow a strict diet and take vitamins.

And most importantly, remember that you are responsible for the life of your dog; if at least one of the symptoms appears, immediately contact a veterinarian.

Video about enteritis in dogs

Enteritis in dogs was first identified in the United States in 1978. In Russia, the first case of the disease was registered in 1980. Despite the fact that the history of this disease is quite short, many deaths have been recorded during this time. At the moment, enteritis is on the list of the five most common diseases of dogs. This is due to the fact that animals have practically no natural immunity to enteritis. However, now it has become easier to deal with it; the main thing is to notice and prevent the onset of the disease in time.

Description of enteritis

Enteritis is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the intestines. Most often, enteritis is caused by a virus. In difficult cases, it can also affect other internal organs: heart, kidneys, liver. It has been established that canines are susceptible to enteritis. At the same time, no predisposition to enteritis depending on gender or breed was identified.

Important! However, there are breeds that tolerate it especially hard. Among them are Dobermans, Whippets, and East European Shepherds.

Enteritis occurs rapidly. The manifestation of symptoms is accompanied by the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms in the animal’s secretions. This usually occurs on the 3-4th day of infection. Depending on the lesion, enteritis is divided into primary and secondary. With primary enteritis, only the intestines become inflamed. Secondary enteritis is called when it is only a symptom of another, often infectious, disease.

Types of enteritis, symptoms

Depending on the pathogen, enteritis is divided into parvovirus, coronovirus and non-viral, which is less common than others. At room temperature, the enteritis virus can live for up to six months, so an animal can become infected in a room where the bacteria entered much earlier.

Parvovirus enteritis

This form of the disease is more common than others. Enteritis is a parvovirus infection caused by a DNA virus of the Parvoviridae family. Parvovirus enteritis, in turn, is divided into intestinal and cardiac, depending on the tissues of which organs it affects. However, it is not uncommon for both of these forms to be diagnosed simultaneously. The intestinal form of the disease is quite common. It is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and refusal to eat. There are sharp pains in the abdomen.

With the cardiac form, the animal develops shortness of breath or, conversely, breathing becomes too quiet. There are no obvious pains in the abdomen, but rumbling can be heard. Characterized by a weak pulse. The mixed form of the disease is especially dangerous. The risk group includes puppies born from unvaccinated bitches, and dogs with weakened immune systems and already suffering from infectious diseases.

Coronavirus enteritis

Coronavirus enteritis is an infectious disease caused by a virus from the Canine Coronavirus family. It is milder than parvovirus, but in the case of combined infection with both viruses, the likelihood of death increases.

The incubation period of the disease can range from 1 to 7 days. Coronavirus enteritis appears in three forms: hyperacute, acute and latent (latent):

The hyperacute form occurs when there is simultaneous infection with other infections.- cases of infection in puppies under 2 months are more common. This disease is characterized by: refusal of food, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea (has a strong smell), fever. In the case of a hyperacute form, death can occur within 1-2 days.
The acute form is the most common- it is characterized by the following symptoms: refusal of food (the pet drinks water), watery diarrhea with an unpleasant odor, vomiting (optional).
Hidden form (There are almost no symptoms) - the pet is lethargic, inactive, refuses to eat, and quickly loses weight. Usually after some time the animal becomes active again and its condition returns to normal. However, this does not mean that a preventive visit to the doctor is not necessary.

Non-viral enteritis

Sometimes inflammation of the mucous membranes occurs if the owners feed the dog food from their table. The human diet contains spices, fatty, smoked or fried foods, which are completely unsuitable for animals and can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In turn, a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract becomes fertile ground for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. It is also better not to give your dog bones.

Important! Bones that have undergone heat treatment are especially dangerous. They are too hard to digest and most often form sharp ends that can injure the intestines.

Enteritis in puppies

Dogs of all ages are susceptible to enteritis, but puppies between 2 and 12 weeks of age experience it most severely. Puppies grow very quickly and all processes in a young body proceed faster than in an adult dog.

This may become a favorable condition for the development of the disease. The virus penetrates young cells of the body and spreads at lightning speed. Typically, the incubation period of the disease in puppies under 2 months of age is only 1-3 days. In especially severe cases, death may occur already on the first day of the disease.

Puppies are at risk when they are weaned from their mother.. The fact is that mother's milk contains antibodies that can increase the immunity of puppies. If the mother was vaccinated in advance, then her puppies are protected for the first time, although these antibodies die on average after 4 weeks. If the mother is not vaccinated against enteritis, the puppies are not protected from the disease.

Important! If the house previously contained dogs, especially those suffering from enteritis, before bringing a new puppy, you need to disinfect the premises. It is best to purchase new items for your dog.

In order to protect puppies from enteritis, you need to prepare in advance. A few weeks before mating, it is necessary to vaccinate the mother against this disease. After birth, puppies should be treated for helminths together with their mother as soon as possible. For a puppy, weaning from its mother and moving to a new home is always stressful, which adversely affects the functioning of the immune system. In addition, the diet in the new home will be different, which can lead to disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. This may make the situation worse.

Diagnosis and treatment

In order to properly treat enteritis, it is necessary to make a diagnosis in time. To do this, you must contact a veterinary hospital. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis based on laboratory tests. In addition to determining the disease itself, tests will make it clear which particular type of virus caused the disease. In order to see a doctor in time, you need to carefully monitor your pet’s condition. Signals for a trip to the veterinarian will be:

Diarrhea and vomiting, stringy and foamy, with remnants of undigested food.
Dehydration.
Loss of activity, fatigue.
Fever.

Attention! Not in all cases of illness the animal develops a fever. Especially when infected with parvovirus. Often, an increase in temperature does not occur until the death of the animal.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the dog's behavior. A sick animal refuses to eat. Sometimes during a walk the dog behaves as usual, and upon arrival immediately goes to bed. This is also a reason to be wary. A healthy animal after a walk strives to replenish its strength and immediately goes to a bowl of food. Often, when suffering from enteritis, a dog will suck in its stomach and arch its back if you try to pet it. This is associated with painful sensations in the abdominal area.

Any of these symptoms should be a reason for a trip to the hospital. The disease progresses rapidly, so there is no time to waste. Action must be taken quickly. Prolonged treatment can cause complications. In this case, the following will be added to the existing symptoms:

Oxygen starvation of cells.
Avitaminosis.
Complications on other organs, inflammation of the heart muscle.
Vascular insufficiency.
Intoxication of the body.
Fever.

When enteritis is diagnosed in a dog, comprehensive treatment is prescribed. Most often, the dog is prescribed special serums that will help fight the disease. Maintenance therapy in the treatment of enteritis operates in several directions. Firstly, it is necessary to maintain balance in the body. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea quickly exhaust and dehydrate the body. The natural balance of fluid is disrupted, leading to intoxication. Due to the animal’s condition, it is impossible to replenish it with food and drink, so intravenous infusions are most often prescribed. Subcutaneous drips are also possible, but they are less effective.

Secondly, the veterinarian often prescribes a course of antibiotics. Although they do not kill the virus, their use will help maintain the animal's condition. The body always contains potentially dangerous bacteria that are activated during illness. The body, weakened by enteritis, needs support in the fight against them, otherwise the disease may worsen.

It is also possible to use vitamin complexes and drugs that support the functioning of the heart muscle. These measures are taken to ensure that the weakened body does not suffer from concomitant diseases and copes with the virus more quickly.

For a dog suffering from enteritis, fasting is necessary. The animal’s body will not be able to digest food and will reject it, this is a protective mechanism. All medications used in the treatment of enteritis are administered by injection. The body simply will not accept pills and will reject them in the same way as food. There is no need to be afraid that your dog will lose weight. As soon as the disease subsides and food begins to be absorbed, the animal will gain the required weight.

Important! A dog that has just had enteritis should absolutely not be given smoked meats, fried and heavy foods, sweets and spices. It is also better to exclude fermented milk products at first.

The animal should be given water only with the permission of the attending physician. In some cases, drinking too much water can further provoke vomiting, which should not be avoided. As maintenance therapy, your veterinarian may prescribe enemas and rinses. They can be carried out using solutions of medicinal herbs. However, this should not be done without consulting a doctor.

With timely identification of the disease and proper treatment, the animal will definitely recover.. The first time after recovery, problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are observed. In order to facilitate the recovery period, you need to follow a diet. It is best to feed the animal little by little, but several times a day. The menu can include boiled lean meat, boiled vegetables and boiled rice porridge in a weak broth (second cooking is better). It is better to stick to this diet for 2-3 weeks after recovery. Next you need to base it on the condition of the pet.

The source of infection is a sick person or carrier. Children often get sick. Treatment consists of following a diet and taking medications.

Reasons

The causative agents of viral enteritis are rotaviruses, enteroviruses, Coxsackie viruses, polioviruses and ECHO. They do not die in the external environment and are resistant to disinfectants.

Enterotropic viruses can remain in the intestines for several months without symptoms. During this period, a person has no idea about being a carrier.

Coronavirus enteritis is more common in cats and dogs, but is rare in humans. Coronaviruses are released into the external environment through the saliva and feces of pets. Unstable in the environment. Coronavirus enteritis is not dangerous for people, but can cause systemic diseases.

Viruses are transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through the household and fecal-oral routes, through water, food, and, less commonly, by air.

An acute form of viral enteritis can be provoked. They can be of viral or bacterial origin. In the latter case, a diagnosis of bacterial enteritis is made.

Predisposing factors to the development of the disease:

unbalanced diet, abuse of spicy and fatty foods, overeating;
drinking alcohol, smoking;
uncontrolled use of medications;
food allergies;
poisoning with toxins, heavy metals;
helminths;
decreased immunity.

The disease leads to disruption of the functioning of other organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms

The symptoms of viral enteritis depend on the location of the virus, as well as its type. Inflammation can affect the jejunum, ileum or duodenum.

Rotavirusuhntherite can occur in the form of ordinary enteritis, gastroenteritis and gastroenterocolitis. The disease is characterized by 3 stages of development:

Incubation period. He is asymptomatic. Duration ranges from 15 hours to 7-14 days, on average the first symptoms appear after 2-3 days.
Acute stage. The symptoms are pronounced. A person’s body temperature rises to 39 °C, and symptoms of intoxication appear.
Chronic stage. Enteritis is characterized by the addition of bacteria. The disease occurs as typhoid, cholera or paratyphoid, and corresponding symptoms occur.

Viruses can penetrate the tissues of other organs, so the heart, respiratory tract and central nervous system are involved in the process.

Symptoms of infectious enteritis:

increase in body temperature to 37-39 ˚С, fever;
and vomiting (more than 10 times a day);
weakness, headache;
pain on palpation of the abdomen;
decreased appetite;
rumbling, bloating;
loose, watery or foamy stools with an unpleasant odor (frequency more than 20 times a day);
there may be blood or food particles in the stool;
redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, nasal congestion, runny nose;
enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

With viral enteritis, there is a high risk of dehydration.

Which doctor treats viral enteritis?

Infectious disease specialists provide treatment.

Diagnostics

The examination may be carried out by a gastroenterologist or an infectious disease specialist. The doctor examines the mucous membrane, skin, lymph nodes, and identifies symptoms of dehydration.

Based on the results of the examination, it is necessary to determine the type of pathogen, whether it is microbial or infectious enteritis.

Diagnosis of viral enteritis:

clinical blood test (the number of leukocytes and ESR is increased);
coprogram (feces contain neutral fats and undigested fiber);
stool for dysbacteriosis (in stool the number of beneficial bacteria is reduced);
immunofluorescence or serological analysis (to detect antibodies);
PCR diagnostics (RNA and DNA viruses are detected).

The examination is difficult because viral enteritis can be caused by more than 100 types of microorganisms.

Rotavirus enteritis is differentiated from dysentery, cholera, intestinal toxic infections, salmonellosis, ARVI, influenza, meningitis, rubella and measles.

Treatment

There are no specific antiviral drugs for this disease. Drug treatment includes:

immunomodulators (Interferon);
enterosorbents (, Enterosgel,);
enzyme preparations (Creon,);
antipyretics (Paracetamol);
probiotics and prebiotics.

In case of severe pain, analgesics will be needed.

If diarrhea and vomiting are severe, and symptoms of dehydration are observed, then infusion (intravenous) rehydration therapy cannot be avoided. The loss of fluid and electrolytes can be restored by using glucose-salt solutions (Regidron, Oralita).

Treatment should be carried out with bed rest and a strict diet. The basis of the diet consists of fermented milk products, porridge with water, white bread crackers and unsweetened tea. It is necessary to exclude milk, fresh fruits and vegetables from the diet. Preference should be given to liquid food, which is rich in vitamins and microelements. Drinking plenty of fluids is important.

The prognosis for recovery is favorable if the patient follows all the doctor’s recommendations. Against the background of severe dehydration, kidney or cardiovascular failure may develop.

Prevention

To avoid getting sick, it is necessary to avoid contact with a sick person.

After recovery, the patient can remain a carrier of the virus for another 2 weeks.

It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before eating, drink only boiled or purified water, and observe sanitary standards for food preparation. Do not visit countries where epidemic cases are registered, strengthen your immune system.

Patients who have had viral enteritis in childhood develop immunity, but it is not stable. If antibody levels are low, the disease may recur in adulthood.

Useful video about intestinal infections

Parvovirus (hemorrhagic) enteritis of dogs, Parvovirus enteritis canine, is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of dogs caused by a pathogen of the parvovirus genus, accompanied by vomiting, hemorrhagic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, myocarditis, leukopenia, dehydration and death of puppies under 5 months of age.

The disease was first identified in the USA (Appel et al., 1978). Currently, it is one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs. The concept has been put forward that parvovirus enteritis becomes widespread when the dog population density is 12 or more per 1 km². When the density decreases to 6 or less individuals, the infection practically stops.

Pathogen— Canine parvovirus is a DNA virus of the Parvoviridae family, antigenically related to the feline panleukopenia and mink enteritis viruses. Canine animals are susceptible to the virus, with young animals aged 2-12 months being the most sensitive. Diseases have been observed in the maned wolf, raccoon, raccoon dog, corsac dog, and coyote.

Epizootological data. The source of infection are sick dogs, dogs - virus carriers, which release the virus in large quantities into the external environment with feces within 10 days after the onset of the disease (perhaps urine and saliva are also important in the spread of the virus), as well as rodents, insects and humans. Under natural conditions, the disease is observed in dogs of all ages, but more often in puppies up to 6 months of age; parvovirus enteritis is found in martens and raccoon dogs. Infection of healthy dogs occurs mainly through contaminated food and water, as well as through contact - as a result of sniffing and licking directly sick animals or environmental objects infected by them. Additionally, dogs can become infected through virus-infected grooming items and bedding. In the occurrence of parvovirus enteritis in dogs, a decrease in the resistance of the dog’s body caused by: poor care, violations of living and feeding conditions, helminthic infestation, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stressful situations (change of owner, surgery) is of great importance. In 2-15 week old martens and raccoon dogs, the disease appears more often and the mortality rate reaches 30%. The virus is highly resistant to heat (stable when heated at 60°C for an hour), pH 3, disinfectants, and environmental factors. The virus is resistant to ether, chloform, alcohol and sensitive to sodium hypochlorite and soda.

Pathogenesis. The virus usually enters the dog's body through the mouth and nose. Once in the body, the virus multiplies in the intestinal epithelial cells of the crypts, causing their lysis. Pathogenesis manifests itself based on the physiological state of the dog. As a rule, in puppies it happens at 4 weeks of age, when intensive division of myocardial cells is observed, and the division of cells in the intestinal tract is slow during this period. After puppies are weaned, the division of intestinal epithelial cells increases rapidly, while the division of cardiac muscle cells slows down. Therefore, at this age, the intestines are more often affected in puppies than the myocardium. Characteristic of parvovirus enteritis is leukopenia, which begins to be observed in the first 4-5 days after the onset of the disease. The number of leukocytes decreases significantly and reaches 300-2500 per 1mm³. In this case, leukopenia is often accompanied by a rise in body temperature. On the 4-5th day of illness, antibodies appear and the concentration of the virus in the feces decreases. Antibody formation has a significant impact on viremia. Histological examination reveals desquamation of epithelial cells of the jejunum and ileum, villous atrophy and expansion of the crypts. In the hyperplastic epithelium of the crypts, a high mycotic index is noted. Destroyed lymphoid cells are found in the lymph nodes, thymus and spleen.

Clinical signs. The incubation period for canine parvovirus enteritis is usually 4 to 10 days. A sick dog begins to release the virus into the external environment already 3-5 days after infection; the release of the virus from the body of a sick dog occurs in approximately 12 days, rarely - 25 days. Parvovirus enteritis in dogs manifests itself in 3 forms: intestinal, cardiac and mixed, which usually occur at lightning speed or acutely.

With the fulminant course of the intestinal form The death of puppies at the age of 6-10 weeks occurs a few hours after loss of strength, usually without signs of enteritis. Mortality in this form is very high and without treatment reaches 40-60% in affected puppies. The acute intestinal form develops within 5-6 days, the incubation period lasts up to 6 days.

Often the first sign of the disease is anorexia, followed by mucous vomiting and diarrhea appears 6-24 hours after the start of vomiting. The feces are gray or yellowish-gray at first, then turn green or bright purple, often contain streaks of blood, and are sometimes hemorrhagic with mucus or watery with a strong foul odor. Body temperature rises to 39.5°C, sometimes to 40-41°C. Vomiting () and diarrhea () quickly lead to dehydration of the dog’s body, then a state of shock sets in. Animals, especially young ones, may die 24-96 hours after the appearance of clinical signs of the disease. Leukopenia is not a constant sign; it is observed only in 20-30% of sick animals.

Cardiac form The disease occurs less frequently in dogs, more often in puppies from 1 to 2 (sometimes 7) months, more often after severe enteritis and is characterized by acute myocardial damage (). In sick animals, we observe heart failure with a rapid and weak pulse and pulmonary edema. Animals suddenly die due to disruption of nerve conduction in the heart muscle. The mortality rate for this form of the disease in dogs reaches 70-80%, with the intestinal form in puppies - up to 50%, in adult dogs - up to 5-10%.

Mixed (combined) form The disease is characterized by various lesions of the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems of the body. This form is observed in dogs with a weakened immune system, in puppies obtained from unvaccinated bitches, as well as in the presence of associated infections (adeno-, corona-, rotavirus, etc.) in a sick dog. However, the clinical signs of the disease can be very diverse.

When a dog's immunity and natural resistance of the body decrease, parvovirus enteritis is complicated by secondary bacterial diseases and helminthic infestations in the gastrointestinal tract.

Pathological and morphological changes in the intestinal form, they are characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the small and large intestines. The mucous membrane is hemorrhagically inflamed. Sometimes erosions are observed on the mucous membrane. The internal organs are hemorrhagic, and in some cases vascular inflammation is noted. The spleen is enlarged and has light areas. Mesenteric lymph nodes are swollen and enlarged. The thymus may be swollen. In some animals, mainly the proximal part of the colon is affected, pulmonary edema and myocarditis are observed.

In microscopic (histological) studies, lesions in the intestine are characterized by necrosis of the crypt epithelium and lymphoid tissue in Peyer's patches, lymph nodes, and thymus. Sometimes intranuclear inclusions are found in epithelial cells. In the cardiac form, dilatation of the valves, pulmonary edema, signs of acute hepatitis and oscitis are observed.

Diagnosis. A presumptive diagnosis of parvovirus enteritis is made based on an analysis of epizootic, clinical data, pathomorphological changes and the results of laboratory (serological and histological) studies. Histological studies reveal characteristic atrophy of the intestinal epithelial villi. To detect the virus in dog feces, RGA is used, followed by its identification in RTGA or passage in a kitten kidney cell culture. Serological diagnosis is based on the study of paired dog blood sera in the RTGA.

Immunity and means of specific prevention. Dogs that have naturally recovered from the disease develop a strong immunity that lasts at least 3 years. There are some reports that it is a life sentence. After artificial immunization of dogs with inactivated vaccines, the duration of immunity does not exceed 6 months, and after vaccination with live virus vaccines - a year. For specific prevention, inactivated and live culture vaccines are used against feline panleukopenia and canine parvovirus enteritis (Pentodog, Hexodog and others). Vaccination of dogs against parvovirus enteritis is carried out at the age of 2 months to a year twice with an interval of 2-3 weeks, after a year once.

Before vaccinating their dog, animal owners must undergo mandatory deworming. This is due to the fact that any helminthic infestation reduces the animal’s immune status, resulting in the risk of such a phenomenon as “vaccine breakthrough”, when, despite the vaccination, the dog may become ill with parvovirus enteritis. The most popular anthelmintics are: Cestal, SEVA Sante Animal; Drontal and Drontal Junior, Bayer and others.

Treatment.

Veterinary specialists at clinics when treating parvovirus enteritis in dogs usually adhere to a specific treatment regimen, which includes:

destruction or neutralization of enteric viruses;
removing a dog from a state of dehydration;
cessation of vomiting and diarrhea;
conducting detoxification therapy;
stimulation of immunity;
restoration of normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
restoration of normal functioning of the cardiovascular system.

The main goal of treatment for a disease is to most effectively support the functioning of all organs and systems of the body until the animal’s own immune forces begin to fight the disease (by 5-6 days, when the production of its own antibodies to fight viruses begins). Considering that the dog’s disease develops very rapidly from the treatment, literally within a day from the start of treatment, the animal will either feel better (there is hope for recovery), or the sick dog will die (when the treatment was not effective). But it always makes sense for its owner to fight for the life of a pet!

Etiotropic therapy (antiviral).

For antiviral therapy, veterinary specialists use serums, immunoglobulins, interferons and interferogens.

Anti-enteroviral serums(sources of ready-made antibodies against enteroviruses. Always used in combination with vitamins, antibiotics and other therapeutic and supportive drugs). Dose for dogs up to 5 kg – 2-3 ml, over 5 kg – 5-6 ml (based on serum concentration according to the instructions for the drug).
Fosprenil(veterinary antiviral drug). A single dose varies according to the dog’s weight: 0.1 ml per weight up to 1 kg; 0.25 ml – up to 5 kg; 0.5 ml – 5-10 kg; 1 ml – 10-20 kg; 1.5 ml – 20-30 kg; 2 ml – over 30 kg. Administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, orally with a doubling of the dose, and intravenously with a halved dose. Regimen: 1 day - 4 doses every 6 hours, 2-8 days - 3 doses every 8 hours, 9-11 days - 2 doses every 12 hours, 12-15 days - 1 dose daily.
Immunofan(a veterinary immunostimulating drug used in combination for the treatment and prevention of various microbial and viral infections). Maintenance dosage – 1 ml once a week for 1-2 months; therapeutic dose – 1 ml once a day (course of treatment up to 5 injections, done every other day). Subcutaneously or intramuscularly.
Cycloferon(a mild immunostimulating drug that increases the restoration of cells in the affected mucous membranes - an option for veterinary medicine): the dose varies depending on the weight of the dog: up to 1 kg - 0.8 ml/kg; up to 2 kg - 0.4 ml/kg; up to 5 kg - 0.2 ml/kg; 6-12 kg - 0.15 ml/kg; up to 25 kg - 0.12 ml/kg; 26-40 kg - 0.10 ml/kg; over 40 kg - 0.08 ml/kg. Administered intravenously, subcutaneously and intramuscularly on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8. In acute cases of the disease, it is better to do it with globulins, serums and interferons.

Pathogenetic treatment (on the mechanism of disease development).

Pathogenetic treatment of a dog includes a whole range of additional therapies:

rehydrating,
detoxification,
symptomatic.

Rehydration therapy

This therapy is aimed at removing a sick dog from a state of dehydration. In this condition, the use of any medications is considered absolutely ineffective. Rehydration solutions restore the alkaline balance of the blood and contain the necessary salt set of elements. Administered intravenously by stream or drip. Sometimes subcutaneous administration in small doses is allowed. All solutions must be brought to body temperature (38-40°C) and administered (dripped) until the dog begins to drink on its own without vomiting. Afterwards, several times a day, it is recommended to pour small doses into the mouth.

Ringer-Locke solution. Dose 10-20 ml per 1 kg of animal weight.
Trisol. Dose 7-10% of body weight.
Rehydration mixture: 200 ml of saline solution + 20 ml of 40% glucose solution + 4 ml of 5% ascorbic acid solution. Dose: 30-100 ml/kg body weight once a day, depending on the general resistance of the animal’s body.

Detoxification

This is a set of measures aimed at removing toxic products from the body from viral processes and cellular breakdown of the intestinal mucous membranes. Often combined with hepatoprotective drugs.

Hemodez(a pronounced detoxifier that binds toxins and removes them through the kidneys). Dose: 5-10 ml/kg body weight 1-2 times a day until signs of general intoxication subside.
Sirepar(a veterinary drug with a pronounced hepatoprotective and detoxifying effect). Dose: 2-4 ml once a day until signs of intoxication disappear. Slowly intramuscularly or intravenously.
Hydrolysine(replenishes proteins in the body, removes toxins). Administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously in a mixture with saline. Dose: 5-15 ml for 3-5 days.

Symptomatic therapy

It is aimed at the general maintenance of the body, as well as the elimination of common clinical symptoms that accompany the disease.

Antiemetic drugs:
- Cerucal. Dose 0.5-0.7 ml up to 3 times a day. Do not use on small puppies or pregnant bitches. Continuous use should not exceed three times a day for 7 days.
- Cerenia. Dose: 1-2 mg/kg. Administered only subcutaneously.
Hemostatic drugs (if blood is detected in stool or vomit).
- Vikasol(a hemostatic drug that increases blood clotting - a synthetic analogue of vitamin K). Dose: 1-2 mg/kg body weight once a day for 3-5 days for general medical therapy. Intramuscularly.
- Etamzilat(veterinary hemostatic agent of capillary direction). Dose: 10-12 mg/kg. Intramuscularly.
Supportive products for the cardiovascular system:
- Sulfocamphocaine ( a cardiac drug that stimulates the heart). Dose: 1-2 ml once a day for a month. Not prescribed for puppies. It is not possible if heart failure is manifested by tachycardia.
- Cordiamine Dose: 0.1 ml/kg intramuscularly or up to 3 drops orally.
- Riboxin(cardiodrug that improves nutrition and oxygen supply to the heart muscle). Dose: 5-10 mg/kg every 12 hours for two weeks.
Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for prolonged elevated temperature and suspicion of secondary infection:
- Cefazolin(a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic). Dose: 5-10 mg/kg, dissolved in water for injection. The interval between injections is 6-8 hours daily for 5-7 days.
Probiotics to restore intestinal microflora, prescribed when the animal regains its appetite.
- Bioprotectin(hepatoprotector + probiotic). Dose: 1 capsule. for weight up to 5 kg, 2 caps. – 5-10 kg, 4 caps. – more than 10 kg. Course – 23 days. Mix the contents of the capsules into food or drink.
- Bactoneotime(probiotic to normalize digestion). Dose: 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight of a large dog, ½ tablet for puppies. It is crushed, mixed with water and given half an hour before feeding twice a day.

Some veterinarians use the following treatment regimen when treating parvovirus enteritis in dogs:

In case of severe parvovirus enteritis in a dog, accompanied by severe dehydration of the body, it is necessary to resort to intravenous and subcutaneous administration of electrolyte solutions. For this purpose, saline solutions are used subcutaneously by jet, and intravenously by drip using droppers.

In the treatment of gastroenteritis, veterinary specialists most often use the following solutions: 0.9% sodium chloride solution, Ringer or Ringer-Locke solutions with the addition or separately 5-40% glucose solutions. Ascorbic acid or vikasol can be added to this solution.

When administered intravenously, along with isotonic solutions, veterinary specialists use hypertonic solutions (5-10%) of sodium and calcium chloride, calcium gluconate. In this case, the doses of isotonic solutions, depending on the degree of dehydration of the dog, are 5-100 ml/kg body weight and subcutaneous solutions - 10-100 ml/kg body weight.

Subcutaneous injections of large volumes of medicinal substances are most conveniently done in the area of the shoulder blade or withers, preferably at several points. A sick dog is usually given 10 to 500 ml of liquid. Injections are repeated 2-4 times a day, if necessary for several days in a row. For parenteral nutrition of sick dogs, veterinary specialists use plasma substitutes, which are administered intravenously. Hemodez and hemodez “N” are administered by drip at 5-10 ml/kg, polyglucin and reopolyglucin by drip up to 100-400 ml per day. The following medications have good healing properties for gastroenteritis: hydrolysine, which is administered intravenously (daily dose up to 200 ml); polyamine intravenous drip (daily dose up to 500 ml); casein hydrolyzate; Polyfer intravenous drip, etc. for gastroenteritis, effective prescriptions are Festal (Digestal), LIF - 52 (Hepaliv), Panzinorm Forte, Essentiale Forte, which are prescribed according to the annotation.

For pain in the stomach and intestines, the dog is prescribed painkillers and sedatives - belladonna (belladonna) preparations: belladonna tincture (1-5 drops per dose), dry belladonna extract 0.015 - 0.02 g per dose; complex tablets containing belladonna extract, papaverine hydrochloride, as well as tablets of becarbonate, bellagin, belastesin (1 tablet 2-3 times a day), besalol, etc. For this purpose, dogs with gastroenteritis are given almagel or almagel A 1 by mouth -2 teaspoons 4 times a day, gastrofarm ½ - 1 tablet 3 times a day, gastrocepin, calmagin, anastezin, no-shpu or 0.5% novocaine solution (1-2 tablespoons 4-6 times a day) and others. Alcohol has good sedative and analgesic properties.

After the gastrointestinal tract has been cleared of toxic contents, spasms and pain in the intestines have been relieved, veterinary specialists prescribe various adsorbents into the treatment regimen - activated carbon, white clay, enterosorbent, polyphepane, aluminum hydroxide, talc. These drugs are used according to instructions; astringents - preparations of tannin, bismuth, salvin, oak bark, St. John's wort, alder fruits, chamomile flowers, string, bird cherry and blueberry fruits, etc., as well as enveloping - decoctions of flax seeds, chicken eggs, phospholugel and other gel-containing preparations. All of the above drugs are used according to the instructions.

To suppress pathogenic microflora in the cavity of the stomach and intestines, various antimicrobial drugs are used, such as: imodium 1-2 capsules 1-2 times a day; chloramphenicol ½ -1 tablet 3-4 times a day for a week; Baytril 1-2 times a day at the rate of 5 mg per 1 kg of live weight; Tsifran 2 times a day at the rate of 250-500 mg per dog, as well as other antibiotics from the groups of penicillin, cephalosporins, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides, which are given orally or administered by injection strictly according to the instructions. Instead of antibiotics, a sick dog can be prescribed sulfonamide drugs - biseptol, norsulfazole, sulgin, sulfadimezin, sulfadimethoxine, sulfalene, sulfatone, phthalozol, etazol, etc. The course of treatment with these antimicrobial drugs is usually 5-7 days. Use these drugs according to the attached instructions. In some cases, instead of antibiotics and sulfa drugs, veterinary specialists prescribe nitrofuran derivatives to sick dogs - furagin, furadonin, furazolidone or furatsilin. These nitrofuran preparations are given to sick dogs 3-4 times a day at the rate of 0.1-0.2 g for 5-10 days. Veterinary specialists in the treatment of gastroenteritis note a good therapeutic effect from the use of Trichopolum. Trichopolum is used ½ -1 tablet. 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 10 days.

Along with antimicrobial drugs, sick dogs are prescribed vitamin preparations in the form of powders, tablets, capsules, dragees and solutions ().

For parvovirus gastroenteritis, immunomodulatory drugs are used: gamma and immunoglobulins, thymalin and thymogen, interferon and cycloferon, comedon and decaris, anandin and dibazol, lactoglobulin, etc. according to the annotation.

To prevent and relieve an allergic reaction to drugs, antihistamines are prescribed: 10% gluconate solution, calcium chloride 1-5 ml per injection, diphenhydramine orally or parenterally 2-3 times a day, tavegil orally or intramuscularly, suprastin, pipolfen, diazolin , fenkarol, trexil, kistin, etc. according to the instructions.

When vomiting, sick dogs are treated with antiemetic drugs - atropine, aloperidol. The sick dog is prescribed dietary feeding.

Prevention and control measures. General prevention of parvovirus enteritis, as well as other infectious diseases, is to not bring dogs into safe settlements from areas unfavorable for parvovirus enteritis. The importation of dogs is carried out according to veterinary accompanying documents, form No. 1-vet, and 4-vet.

All imported dogs are required to be quarantined for 30 days.

When organizing exhibitions, competitions and other events, dogs are allowed only with veterinary accompanying documents (form No. 1 - vet, 4-vet), which must indicate that the dog is clinically healthy and vaccinated against parvovirus enteritis.

Dog owners must strictly follow the rules of feeding and keeping animals. Regularly carry out preventive disinfection of premises, care items and equipment. For disinfection, 2-3% solutions of sodium hydroxide or formaldehyde are used. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to promptly vaccinate dogs against parvovirus enteritis. Today, this is the most effective way to prevent serious illness.

The domestic industry produces vaccines that should be used in strict accordance with the instructions. The most common: “Multican-4” - includes preventive properties not only against parvovirus infection, but also against plague, coronavirus enteritis, and adenovirus infection. "Multican-6" - in addition to the listed diseases, this composition includes the prevention of leptospirosis.

If you had a dog in your house that had a viral infection, then before purchasing a puppy, thoroughly disinfect the entire apartment, quartz each room for an hour and do not bring the puppy into the house for a month. To prolong immunity and protect the puppy from possible infection with a viral infection, at one and a half months he will need serum against parvovirus enteritis. A serum should be administered that will extend the puppy’s immunity to three types of infections for two weeks: plague, hepatitis and enteritis. This polyvalent serum is obtained from the blood of horses that have been hyperimmunized with strains of canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, and canine adenovirus serotype 2. It is a clear light yellow liquid. Sometimes it has a reddish tint. The product is recommended for subcutaneous injections.

When a disease is detected, restrictions are imposed on the affected farm. According to the conditions of the restrictions, sick dogs are isolated and the places where they are kept are disinfected with a 1% solution of formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide or chloramine. Organize adequate feeding with sufficient vitamin content in the diet.

Restrictions on a dysfunctional service dog kennel are lifted 40 days after the last case of recovery and death of the sick dog and the final disinfection.

Many owners treat their pets as full members of their family and therefore any deterioration in the animal’s well-being does not cause delight.

Among dog breeders, diseases such as or cause particular panic, but there is another disease that, if not treated in a timely manner and with severe symptoms, leads to the death of the pet. We are talking about enteritis, which develops when a virus enters the body.

The main source of spread of the virus is considered to be a sick dog, and the pathogen can be released already in the incubation (latent) period of the disease. The virus enters the environment along with feces, vomit, and saliva. The pathogen enters an apartment or area near the house in a variety of ways - the virus can be brought by a person on shoes or clothes, the microorganism can be on the fur and paws of other animals. The enteritis pathogen is released over a period of time by an animal that has already been ill and treated.

It must be said that infectious enteritis in dogs not transmitted to humans and other breeds of animals in the house. That is, only dogs are susceptible to the disease, and most often these are puppies one and a half to six months old. Adult pets tolerate the disease much easier, and vaccinated individuals do not become infected.

The likelihood of death when puppies are infected increases if their mother is not vaccinated and suffers from.

The enteritis virus is very resistant to the environment. The microorganism can live in an apartment for up to six months, and during this period the dog can become infected at any time.

From the moment of infection to the development of clinical signs of the disease, an average of 10 days can pass. The disease is insidious in its symptoms - most of the symptoms are characteristic of other animal diseases.

Types of the disease and its signs

Infectious enteritis is divided into parvovirus And coronavirus, the first form is registered more often. The enteritis virus destroys the intestinal mucous layer, which leads to tissue death and extensive inflammation.

Parvovirus species

Parvovirus enteritis, in turn, is divided into three types - intestinal, cardiac and mixed.

Intestinal form manifested by lethargy of the animal, refusal to eat, the temperature can rise only after two to three days. First, vomiting appears; it is viscous and foamy in nature, repeated. After vomiting, loose stools develop - watery, with a putrid odor. After a few days, the diarrhea may become bloody, the animal may have severe abdominal pain, aggravated by touching the abdominal area - the dog tucks its tail and whines. The main problem with constant diarrhea and vomiting is dehydration, from which a young puppy can die in 2-3 days.
Heart shape It is most often recorded in puppies up to 9 weeks of age. It manifests itself as drowsiness, lethargy, and refusal to feed. Palpation does not reveal severe abdominal pain, and there is usually no diarrhea. Rumbling can be heard from a distance; damage to the heart muscle leads to severe shortness of breath or, conversely, to imperceptible, quiet breathing. In dogs, a weak pulse is recorded, all extremities are cold, pallor or cyanosis of the mucous membranes is detected.
Mixed form characterized by signs of damage to the intestines and heart muscle. Most often, this form develops in weakened dogs suffering from adenoviral and oral viral infections. The danger also increases for those puppies born from unvaccinated bitches.

Coronavirus species

The coronavirus form of enteritis has a more favorable outcome compared to the parvovirus form. The dog may refuse to eat, but the drinking regime is maintained. Abdominal pain is minor, diarrhea and vomiting are rare.

The incubation period for this type of infection lasts up to 5 days. Coronavirus infection occurs in acute and chronic forms:

Acute form The disease develops quickly, the dog becomes weak and lethargic. When the acute form develops, a secondary infection often occurs. Usually, with such an infection, only weakened puppies die; adult animals survive.
Light form Coronavirus infection may even go unnoticed, especially if the infection appears in an adult dog. The animal eats poorly, is apathetic, has no temperature, the condition improves after a few days.

Infectious enteritis, which occurs in an acute form in weakened dogs and puppies, often ends in death.

Treatment methods

To treat viral enteritis, an integrated approach is important; the dog not only needs to choose the right medicine, but it is also necessary to organize competent care for the animal.

What to do if enteritis is suspected?

If a dog develops symptoms characteristic of enteritis, the first thing you need to do is visit a veterinary clinic. Accurate diagnosis and choice of treatment regimen is important in the first two days of illness; if treatment is started during this period, it will almost always be successful.

Also, if you suspect enteritis, you must:

Periodically. Temperature data will help the veterinarian get a more complete picture of the disease.
It is necessary to pay attention to the nature of vomit and feces. The appearance of bloody or white stool is a poor diagnostic sign.
A sick dog should be separated from other animals and placed in a room where there are no drafts.
All discharge should be removed immediately if possible.
Most puppies and adult dogs die from dehydration. Therefore, if you see that the animal does not touch the water at all, then you need to give it something to drink through a syringe. The water must be boiled or mineral without gases.
Due to the inflamed intestines, the pet will not eat at all and there is no need to force it.

In order for the disease to pass quickly and without consequences, the doctor prescribes several drugs at once, their administration is necessary even if the signs of infection are minor.

Drug treatment of enteritis includes the following:

Immunostimulating drugs.
Solutions in droppers. Intravenous administration of glucose or physical. a solution with vitamins is necessary to maintain water balance and to strengthen the body's resistance. In the first days of illness, glucose often becomes the only source of nutrition.
For enteritis, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
If the puppy is not vaccinated, then giving the vaccine in some cases helps to cope with the disease.
To relieve pain, use no-shpa, Baralgin, Analgin.
It is necessary to select drugs to support cardiac activity.

All prescribed medications are administered only intramuscularly or in droppers, since the tablets are not absorbed and further damage the intestinal mucosa.

What to feed a dog with enteritis?

In the first days of illness, puppies and adults almost completely refuse food. You can't force feed them, and if the animal retains its appetite, then the food should be easily digestible and dietary.

After an illness crisis, the dog must be fed with extreme caution. The entire length of the intestine is a continuous, not yet fully healed wound, and rough food will definitely cause pain and will practically not be absorbed.

After enteritis, intestinal functionality takes quite a long time to recover. The dog can continue occasionally vilify, pain may occur. It's important to get it right. For intestinal restoration special preparations are needed that have a positive effect on the microflora.

Experienced dog breeders advise giving dogs the following food in the first days of illness:

Chicken or beef broth, and it is better if it is boiled a second time.
Strongly boiled rice porridge in water.
After a day or two, you can try giving finely chopped lean meat, then kefir and fresh cottage cheese.

All food should be warm and fresh at each feeding. You need to increase the number of servings gradually. After about two weeks, you can carefully return to your usual diet.

Consequences and complications

Even a mild course of enteritis and the entire complex of measures carried out in a timely manner is not a guarantee that the disease will end without complications.

The most common consequences of infectious enteritis in dogs include:

Lameness, it can either disappear after a few months or remain for the rest of your life.
Puppies that have recovered from the disease are far behind their litter in development.
After two to three weeks, new growths – polyps – are found in dogs’ mouths. They must be removed surgically.
Bitches can remain infertile for several months or for life.
Puppies who have had enteritis before the age of 9 weeks are often left with heart disease - myocarditis. And even adult dogs can develop heart failure.

With a mild form and complete treatment of enteritis, all complications disappear within a year.

Prevention

The only way to prevent your pet from becoming infected with the virus is by vaccination. If there are small puppies in the house, then you need to protect them from the street until the vaccine is given.

It is necessary to wash the floors in the room more often; after going outside, the owners should take off their shoes and wash their hands. It is not recommended to let the mother of the puppies near them without first treating the paws and fur.

Vaccinations

The first vaccination is given to puppies at the age of 4-6 months. Adult dogs should be vaccinated annually. Among the vaccines, Nobivak, Parvovac, Multikan, Biovac are popular.