Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine pneumovirus outbreak causing respiratory illness in US shelter
By Lenz, Olivia C. & DeTar, Lena G.·Published in Veterinary Record Case Reports·2023·Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Ithaca New York USA, United States·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Canine respiratory disease outbreak involving canine pneumovirus at an American animal shelter
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs at an animal shelter in the northeastern United States experienced a serious outbreak of respiratory disease caused by canine pneumovirus. Symptoms ranged from mild to severe, affecting their upper and lower airways, and unfortunately, eight dogs died. Testing confirmed the presence of the virus, and despite initial treatments not working, the situation improved after the shelter implemented strict cleaning protocols and limited new dog intakes. Within a month, the outbreak was under control, highlighting the importance of proper management in preventing such diseases.
People also search for: dog respiratory disease symptoms · canine pneumovirus outbreak · shelter dog illness treatment
Abstract
Abstract An outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease complex was attributed to canine pneumovirus in a municipal animal shelter in the northeastern United States. The outbreak comprised eight fatalities and over 100 cases in dogs of all signalments. Cases were characterised by mild to severe signs indicating upper airway, lower airway, and systemic involvement. Nasopharyngeal samples submitted to one commercial and one university laboratory for quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing revealed several canine infectious respiratory disease complex pathogens. However, only the university lab detected canine pneumovirus: multiple nasopharyngeal and lung samples tested positive. Vaccination status, lack of response to antimicrobials, and improvement after implementation of canine infectious respiratory disease outbreak management strategies tailored to canine pneumovirus characteristics indicate substantial involvement of this virus. The outbreak resolved within 1 month of adherence to clean break procedures, limitation of incoming dogs, and deep clean of the premises. This case highlights the difficulty in reliably detecting canine pneumovirus and how population management deficits permit canine infectious respiratory disease complex outbreaks.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.707