Author details

As for post‐mortem examinations on puppies, pneumonia, enteritis, myocarditis, oedema and atrophy of the thymus have been observed. In relation to the histopathologic findings, viral presence in the epithelial cells of the intestinal crypts and cardiomyocytes are observed. Other changes found are hyperplasia of the interstitial crypts, myocardial necrosis, pneumonia, and depletion of lymphocytes in the thymus and other lymphoid tissues [71]. The samples for diagnosis may vary mostly from foetal or neonatal tissues of the myocardium, intestine, lungs, kidneys and faeces. The diagnosis of the CnMV can be accomplished by direct methods such as viral isolation, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, direct ELISA, conventional PCR and RT‐PCR, of the tissue, and/or faeces and/or enteric contents. For detection of intranuclear inclusion bodies, haematoxylin‐eosin staining or immunofluorescence using specific antibodies [73] can be used. As for indirect methods of serological diagnosis may used the indirect ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition, allowing the study of the prevalence of

The treatment of parvovirus is based on the recovery of electrolyte balance and in the prevention of secondary infections using antibiotics. Attenuated vaccines of CnMV in dogs provide superior immunity than inactivated, and are safer. In newborn puppies, it is suggested the

Other viral infections known to cause abortions, stillbirths and neonatal death in bitches are Bluetongue (BTV), canine distemper and canine adenovirus‐1 [75]. The Bluetongue is a disease transmitted by arthropods especially in ruminants. Infection of dogs is currently thought to be by oral ingestion of infected meat or meat products rather than through vector feeding [76]. There is evidence of direct transmission of the agent to the dog. Abortion and stillbirth are consequences of infection of this agent in pregnant bitches [77]. Direct transmission and differences in canine susceptibility to certain serotypes of the virus are not well elucidated in dogs [78]. The canine distemper virus (CDV) may also affect gestation by the weakness of maternal health inducing abortion, and in rare cases can cross the placenta and lead to abortion or foetal infection [79, 80]. The abortion can originate from a systemic infection in dogs or transplacental infection [81]. The infection by this virus can still result in stillbirth and congenital infections in dogs. Transplacentally infected puppies can develop neurologic signs within 6 weeks after birth [79, 82]. The canine adenovirus‐1 (CAV‐1) may be associated with fatal pneumonia in pups less than 1 month of age [83]. However, this virus can result in miscarriage, with or without foetal infection. Abortion can be a result of stress caused by the

Infectious causes are still the most responsible for reproductive failure in dogs through the direct action of the pathogen in the foetus and in placenta; however, we must always try to reduce the chances of reproductive failures that occur due to systemic action of the infectious

agent in the mother through the early diagnostic and treatment.

warming of them and to maintain nutrition and adequate hydration [74].

disease [74].

4.3. Other viral diseases

66 Canine Medicine - Recent Topics and Advanced Research

disease [79, 80].

5. Final considerations

João Marcelo Azevedo de Paula Antunes\*, Débora Alves de Carvalho Freire, Ilanna Vanessa Pristo de Medeiros Oliveira, Gabriela Hémylin Ferreira Moura, Larissa de Castro Demoner and Heider Irinaldo Pereira Ferreira

\*Address all correspondence to: joao.antunes@ufersa.edu.br

Universidade Federal Rural do Semi‐Árido–UFERSA, and veterinarian at Veterinary Hospital Jerônimo Dix‐Huit Rosado Maia, Mossoró, RN, Brazil.
