Canine Herpes Virus

What is it? What does it do? How can it be prevented?

What is it?

Canine herpesvirus or canine herpes is a systemic, often fatal disease of puppies caused by the canine herpes virus (CHV). CHV is seen most commonly in Asia and Europe in dogs, coyotes, and wolves but has recently been diagnosed all over the United States.

CHV does not cause infection in humans. It may remain latent or hidden and quiet in tissues after a dog is infected and may be passed on to other dogs, particularly to fetuses developing in the mother's uterus. Stress or other illness may cause recurrence of illness in a dog that has previously been infected. The incubation period in puppies is four to six days, after which clinical signs develop or sudden death occurs.

Pregnant Dogs, Puppies, & CHV

Pregnant dogs that develop canine herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy can experience stillbirth. They can also pass herpes to the litter before or during birth. Dog herpes is serious for puppies and can result in death and litter loss.

If the puppies are infected after the age of three weeks, herpes can develop into a lung infection and then into pneumonia. This is serious since puppies' immune systems aren't strong. The infection can cause brain damage or blindness. 

Herpes virus needs a colder body temperature to replicate, but after three weeks puppies start to regulate their body temperature on their own. This means they may be better able to fight off the virus. 

How is it Transmitted?

A dog can get canine herpes virus from direct contact with the nose, mouth, or vaginal fluids from a dog that has the virus. Sexual contact between dogs can cause transmission. It can also transfer through normal licking, sniffing, and nosing.

Canine herpes in puppies is also transmitted through direct contact with fluids. Puppies born to an infected mother can get the disease while in the womb or after birth from the mother’s vaginal, nose, or mouth fluids. The virus can affect the whole litter or just one puppy. 

CHV Symptoms to look for in Puppies…

Symptoms of canine herpes in puppies include:

  • Tiredness

  • Weakness

  • Less nursing

  • Diarrhea

  • Eye discharge

  • Eye swelling

  • Rash

  • Nasal discharge

  • Gray or yellow soft stool

  • Shallow breathing

  • Abdominal bloating

  • Cold body temperature

  • Crying

  • Coughing

  • Red speckles on the skin

  • Seizures

CHV Symptoms to look for in Adults…

Symptoms of canine herpes in Adults include:

  • Eye discharge

  • Eye inflammation

  • Coughing

  • Sneezing

  • Nasal discharge

  • Inflamed penis foreskin

  • Genital sores

  • Vaginal discharge

  • Abortion

  • Stillbirth

How common is CHV?

Canine herpes virus is an extremely common virus in dogs. It is a permanent infection that will never be cured. Most dogs that greet other dogs will get the virus. Young females and their puppies are most at risk for canine herpes. Male stud dogs who regularly breed are highly likely to have canine herpes. 

A mother dog that has already been infected may have her own antibodies, and her puppies should be protected. Puppies who nurse from a mother with antibodies will get those antibodies through the milk and be protected. How long these antibodies last may be different for each dog. 

Canine herpes virus cannot be passed to humans. 

How do we prevent the spread of CHV?

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, including:

  • Isolating pregnant dogs for three weeks before and after delivery

  • Isolating puppies for three weeks after birth

  • Keeping puppies warm (above 95 degrees)

  • Make sure puppies nurse from a mother with antibodies on the first day after birth

  • Keeping birthing areas clean and sterile

What does this mean for Puppy Visitation?

In an extreme effort to keep our puppies safe and healthy, we do NOT allow in person puppy visitation.

Other means of seeing the puppies will be provided in the form of Pictures, Videos, and Scheduled FaceTime Calls.

On puppy pick up day we will take extreme measures to ensure CHV does not come with you. This will include but is not limited to: bleaching your shoes, wearing shoe covers, hand-washing with antibacterial/antimicrobial soaps, using disposable gloves, and masks.

Sources:

Flowers, A. (2021, February 9). Can dogs get herpes? symptoms, treatment, vaccination. WebMD. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/canine-herpes-virus

Williams, K., & Ward, E. (n.d.). Herpesvirus in dogs. Herpesvirus In Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/herpesvirus-in-dogs