Symptoms of Canine Coronavirus
- Puppies are susceptible to coronavirus.Labrador retriever puppy image by crazy.nataly from Fotolia.com
Canine coronavirus infects the intestinal tract of dogs, causing diarrhea. The condition, which is similar in many ways to parvovirus but with milder symptoms, is highly contagious, particularly in puppies and older dogs. Infection usually occurs after contact with fecal material containing the virus. Signs of infection begin to appear one to five days after exposure. - Coronavirus damages intestinal villi, the finger-like projections of the wall of the intestines. These villi move food through the body and absorb nutrients. Most dogs infected with coronavirus recover, but pet owners should be aware of the symptoms so that proper treatment can be given quickly.
Dogs with coronavirus exhibit a number of symptoms also common to other canine ailments. These symptoms include lack of appetite, fever, dehydration and lethargy. - Infected dogs also exhibit symptoms more specific to coronavirus infection. Most dogs experience stomach flu-like symptoms, including gastroenteritis with loose, watery, smelly stool that sometimes also is bloody. The stool usually lacks mucous, however.
Coronavirus-associated diarrhea can last from two to four days, but the dog may shed the virus in its feces for up to six months, even after symptoms subside. In many dogs, diarrhea may be the only symptom exhibited. The severity of coronavirus symptoms can be magnified by other infections, including parvovirus and hookworm and giardia infestations. - Treatment varies according to the severity of the disease. Protein and electrolyte loss which contribute to dehydration are the main concerns with coronavirus infections in dogs, so intravenous fluid therapy is commonly required.
Common symptoms
Coronavirus-specific symptoms
Concerns
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