What is Canine Coronavirus?
Canine coronavirus is a viral disease that mainly affects unvaccinated puppies but can also infect unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult dogs. It is not related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 and cannot infect humans. However, it can spread to other canids like wolves, jackals, and foxes.
What are the Different Types of Canine Coronavirus?
There are two main types of canine coronavirus in India: enteric canine coronavirus (affecting the gastrointestinal tract) and respiratory canine coronavirus (affecting the respiratory tract). Each type causes distinct symptoms and spreads differently.
How Can Dogs Get the Canine Coronavirus?
Dogs contract canine coronavirus through exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. The transmission routes differ for each type of the virus.
How Does Canine Enteric Coronavirus Spread?
Enteric canine coronavirus spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route. Dogs can become infected by licking contaminated surfaces, sharing food or water bowls, or coming into contact with infected feces. Outbreaks are common in dog parks, boarding facilities, and pet shops.
Is Enteric Canine Coronavirus Severe in Dogs?
Enteric canine coronavirus is usually mild in adult dogs but can be severe in puppies, especially if they are unvaccinated. In rare cases, it can lead to dehydration, seizures, or even death if not managed promptly.
How Does Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Spread?
Respiratory canine coronavirus spreads through airborne droplets when infected dogs cough or sneeze. It is highly contagious in crowded environments like kennels, dog parks, and pet shops, and is a common cause of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD), also known as kennel cough.
What are the Signs of Canine Coronavirus Infection?
Canine Enteric Coronavirus Signs
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, dehydration, stomach pain, and occasionally fever or seizures in severe cases. These signs are similar to those of canine parvovirus.
Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Signs
Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, gagging, reverse sneezing, eye and nasal discharge, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Respiratory coronavirus often occurs alongside other infections, making symptoms more complex.
Why is Canine Coronavirus Diagnosis Challenging from Observation ONLY?
Both enteric and respiratory forms of canine coronavirus mimic symptoms of other diseases. Enteric signs resemble parvovirus, while respiratory signs overlap with canine flu and other infections. Diagnosis based on symptoms alone is unreliable.
The enteric form of the infection causes signs that are very similar to parvovirus and the respiratory form of canine coronavirus infection causes signs similar to myriads of other respiratory diseases in dogs including the canine flu.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Canine Coronavirus in Dogs
Veterinarians use blood tests (CBC, chemistry), X-rays, and ultrasound to assess overall health and rule out other causes. Specific canine coronavirus detection kits may be used, often alongside parvo tests for enteric cases.
Treatment of Canine Coronavirus in Dogs
There is no specific antiviral treatment. Care focuses on managing symptoms: fluids for hydration, anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications, antacids, appetite stimulants, and nutritional support.
Antibiotics do not treat viral infections. However, your veterinarian will likely prescribe suitable antibiotics for your pup to prevent or limit secondary bacterial infections.
Canine coronavirus infection treatment is based on the symptoms. So, your pup may receive –
- Fluids for hydration
- Anti-nausea medication to stop vomiting
- Antacids to regulate gastric acids
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Appetite stimulants
- Nutritional support and supplements
For Canine Respiratory Coronavirus, the doctor might also recommend nebulisation in addition to the above mentioned treatments for your puppy if they have severe breathing distress.
Whether your dog will receive these medicines orally or through IV will depend on the severity of the signs.
Some pups may also require heat and oxygen support during the treatment of canine coronavirus infection.
How Can You Protect Your Dog From Canine Coronavirus Infection?
Vaccination is the best protection. The DHPPiL and kennel cough vaccines help prevent respiratory coronavirus. For enteric coronavirus, timely vaccination is crucial. Avoid exposing unvaccinated puppies to crowded dog environments until they are fully vaccinated.
Recovery and Management of Canine Coronavirus in Dogs
Most dogs recover with supportive care, but puppies and immunocompromised dogs may need longer recovery periods. Isolation, proper hygiene, and follow-up vet visits are essential for full recovery and preventing spread.
FAQs
Can humans get canine coronavirus?
No, canine coronavirus does not infect humans.
Is canine coronavirus deadly?
It is rarely fatal in healthy adult dogs but can be severe in puppies.
How long does canine coronavirus last?
Most dogs recover within a week with proper care.
Can vaccinated dogs still get canine coronavirus?
Vaccines reduce risk but do not guarantee complete immunity.
Can dogs get canine coronavirus more than once?
Yes, reinfection is possible, especially with different strains.
Should I isolate my dog if it has canine coronavirus?
Yes, isolation helps prevent spreading the virus to other dogs.
Can I use home remedies for canine coronavirus?
Supportive care at home is possible, but always consult a vet for proper treatment.
