Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adult Bichon Frise dog died from fatal herpesvirus infection
By Gadsden, Barbie J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2012·Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fatal Canid herpesvirus 1 infection in an adult dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise was brought to the vet after experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, the dog quickly worsened and passed away. Tests revealed that she had a fatal infection caused by Canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1), which is known to cause severe liver damage. This case highlights that adult dogs can also be affected by this virus, which is typically more dangerous for puppies. The dog did not show signs of a weakened immune system, making this infection particularly concerning.
People also search for: dog vomiting and diarrhea · Bichon Frise herpesvirus infection · adult dog liver disease symptoms
Abstract
Canid herpesvirus 1 (CaHV-1) is a well-known cause of fatal hepatic and renal necrosis in neonatal puppies. In adult dogs infected with CaHV-1, papulovesicular genital lesions may be observed. CaHV-1 infection during pregnancy can lead to embryonic resorption, abortion, and stillbirth. In high-density dog populations, CaHV-1 can also contribute to kennel cough. Furthermore, recent literature has clearly documented that CaHV-1 can induce ocular disease in immature and adult dogs. The current study describes a case of fatal CaHV-1 infection in a 9-year-old spayed female Bichon Frise dog. Following a history of vomiting and diarrhea, the dog deteriorated and subsequently died. The main lesions were multifocal areas of necrosis with intranuclear inclusion bodies in the liver, adrenal gland, and small intestine, similar to the lesions observed in CaHV-1-infected puppies. Infection with CaHV-1 was confirmed on samples of liver by polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. There was no indication of immunosuppression in this dog. Based on the results presented herein, CaHV-1 should be included in the list of differential diagnoses of hepatic necrosis in adult dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22529135/