Page 59 - Chow LIfe - 2021 04 Winter

• Coughing with antibodies
• Red speckles on the skin • Treating puppies with antibodies from a herpes-
recovered mother
• Seizures
• Keeping puppies warm and above 95 degrees
How Common Is Dog Herpes?
Treatment in adult dogs is not usually needed. There
Canine herpes virus is an extremely common virus may not be symptoms, or the symptoms may be
in dogs. It is a permanent infection that will never be mild and go away on their own. Your vet may still
cured. Most dogs that greet other dogs will get the recommend some treatments like:
virus. Young females and their puppies are most at
risk for canine herpes. Male stud dogs who regularly • Eye drops
breed are highly likely to have canine herpes.
• Pain relievers
A mother dog that has already been infected may
have her own antibodies, and her puppies should be • Antibiotics for secondary infections
protected. Puppies who nurse from a mother with • Cough medications
antibodies will get those antibodies through the milk
and be protected. How long these antibodies last
may be different for each dog. Preventing Canine Herpes Virus
Canine herpes virus cannot be passed to humans. Europe has a vaccine for canine herpes in pregnancy.
A herpes vaccine isn't yet available in the United
States. Some practices can prevent an infection,
Diagnosis of Canine Herpes Virus including:
Herpes virus in dogs is usually diagnosed from signs • Isolating pregnant dogs for three weeks before
and symptoms. Your vet may test blood samples for and after delivery
antibodies. If puppies die suddenly or are stillborn,
your vet may examine the body for signs of herpes • Isolating puppies for three weeks after birth
or other infections. This information can help the • Keeping puppies warm (above 95 degrees)
vet treat the other puppies in the litter.
• Making sure puppies nurse from a mother with
antibodies in the first day after birth
Treatment for Canine Herpes Virus • Keeping birthing kennels clean and sterile
Herpes in puppies is a deadly disease. They're of- Dog herpes is extremely common. If you suspect
ten isn’t much that can be done. If you notice your your pregnant dog or puppy has canine herpes, get
puppy showing symptoms, consider it an emergency medical attention right away.
and contact your vet right away.
Editor’s Note: The Health Committee would like to
Some treatments for canine herpes in puppies may thank Vickie Ireland for bringing this health issue to
include: their attention and getting permission from WebMD
to reprint this article.
• Antiviral medication
• Moving the litter to nurse from a mother dog

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