Canine Herpes: Vaccination to Prevent Puppy Mortality

Herpes is particularly dangerous in puppies – the Canine Herpes Virus is also known as “puppy Death.”

Canine herpes does not affect humans and can even be treated by adults with cold sores. Infection with the virus in newborn puppies is almost always fatal.

Canine Herpes virus
The pathogen CHV-1 causes the most common cases of kennel-cough and fertility problems in dogs.
 Herpes is most dangerous to puppies, who usually die from the infection.

Approximately ten percent (of all dogs) in a single owner’s home are infected, and often do not show symptoms. If many animals are living in close proximity, it is possible to show that 50 to 100% of them have had a previous infection.

The herpes virus is only found in dogs. Humans and other animals are not at risk.

Infections and Prevention

All body fluids are shed by dogs. The pathogen is transmitted to the immune system when it is licked or sniffed. The infection can occur during a mating, although less often than through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. To minimize the risk of disease, puppies should not be exposed to other dogs for the first couple weeks.

At 35-36 degrees Celsius, the virus is most comfortable. At 38-39 degrees Celsius, herpes pathogens are less dangerous because the rate of multiplication is already reduced. Fresh puppies are prone to hypothermia so you provide the perfect breeding environment for viruses. The whelping boxes should be kept at 38 degrees Celsius to keep the virus away and keep the noses of the puppies warm.

Even the most common cleaning agents can kill the dog herpes virus. The general cleanliness is important in protecting against CHV-1, and can be a great help.

Adult dogs can show symptoms of herpes.

Adult dogs may not show any symptoms. Herpes is an infection that is latent. The virus is present even after illness, and it is not curable. It “sleeps”, but is activated only when the immune system is weak. It can happen when animals are under stress, pregnant, or ill. Once the virus becomes active, animals that are affected can spread the infection to their conspecifics.

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