Canine Infectious

Question 1

What is the aetiology of Parvovirus?

Answer 1

A virus that belongs to the parvovirus group, the most common being CPV-2

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of parvovirus?

Answer 2

the virus has an affinity for rapidly diving cells in the gut wall and lymphoid tissue. The virus multiplies in the small intestine crypt lining cells which causes the animal to pass the intestine lining within its faeces, this causes damage to intestine that prevents it from absorbing nutrients. The virus also has the ability to deplete the white blood cell numbers in the lymphoid system which causes the immune system to be suppressed.
In advanced cases, bacterial invasion from the gut to the bloodstream can occur. Lowered immune system increases the risk of contracting other diseases and can often lad to leucopoenia.

Question 3

What are the clinical signs associated with parvovirus?

Answer 3

depression, anorexia, severe vomiting, pyrexia(rise in temperature), severe weight loss, dehydration, shock, haemorrhagic diarrhoea.
The first signs seen are vomiting and then progresses to bloody smelly diarrhoea. As the patient will have a painful abdomen this causes them to stop eating leads to depression.
(rare) In puppies, younger than 4 weeks can cause heart failure.

Question 4

How is parvovirus diagnosed?

Answer 4

History and clinical signs, suspected with patients’ presenting diarrhoea that are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. Faecal testing – ELISA detects CPV-2 antigen. Faecal PCR, CPV-2 detected. This however requires lab testing, this can take up to 3 days.
Serum antibody – external lab testing required.
Post Mortem

Question 5

Aetiology of Kennel Cough

Answer 5

Bordetella Bronchiseptica
canine parainfluenza
canine retrovirus
canine adenovirus
canine herpes virus

Question 6

Pathophysiology of Kennel Cough

Answer 6

attaches to the ciliated epithelium in the respiratory tract.
it multiples in the respiratory and they lymphatic tissues where is leads to trachea-bronchitis and in severe cases pneumonia.

Question 7

Clinical signs of kennel cough

Answer 7

dry cough
retching
ocular and nasal discharge
pyrexia
anorexia

Question 8

diagnosis of kennel cough

Answer 8

history and clinical signs - if there is a recent outbreak
isolation of agent - swab from the respiratory tract to allow what pathogen is present to treat correctly for that specific pathogen