Intestinal Viral Infection, or Rotavirus, is an illness that induces intestinal inflammation in dogs. Rotavirus is rarely lethal in dogs unless the dog has a poor immune system or connects it with another disease, such as canine parvovirus or coronavirus. Good hygiene is therefore important, particularly when it comes to large populations of canine rotavirus dogs.
There are eight distinct forms of rotavirus, classified from A-H. Rotavirus affects dogs belonging to Group A. This is also the group that most often affects humans, but both B and C have been known to cause outbreaks. Each category is further divided into either serotypes or strains. G3 and P3 are the serotypes most commonly present in dogs.
Symptoms of Rotavirus:
Diarrhea is the main symptom of rotavirus canine in puppies. If a puppy develops soft and runny stools, rotavirus may be the cause. Apart from diarrhea, the infected puppies may also be a little more tired than usual. They might also display a diminished interest in consuming food. If your puppy shows symptoms of a potential case of rotavirus, take them straight to the vet for a checkup..
Pet Diagnostics:
Your veterinarian would typically want to rule out other diseases in dogs before diagnosing rotavirus. Some of the triggers of inflammation of the intestine can involve parvovirus, coronavirus (a virus that affects the intestines), astrovirus (a virus that causes diarrhoea), herpesvirus, distemper virus, and kennel cough.
Veterinary laboratory tests to diagnose the virus require an analysis of tissue samples or a microscopic examination of the feces. Your veterinarian might also be able to recognize the virus using a technique called virus insulation.
In order to diagnose rotavirus, a veterinarian will examine the cells inside the intestinal wall and other tiny hairs lining the intestines using special techniques to analyze rotavirus and antibodies that the virus might have generated.
Treatment Of Rotavirus In Dogs:
The treatment of rotavirus in dogs will depend on the severity of the condition and the symptoms it develops. Mild dehydration can be treated at home by oral or intravenous administration of saline solution. Severe dehydration requires that the dog be admitted to a vet hospital. Particularly in puppies, it is very important to obtain rapid veterinary assistance to avoid serious complications.
Another key aspect is feeding when it comes to knowing how to treat rotavirus in dogs. After a few hours of fasting, start offering the dog water to see if it is able to tolerate it without vomiting or having diarrhea. If the animal is able to accept food without any symptoms of relapse, the veterinarian will prescribe a special diet. Smaller portions should also be offered of this diet 4 to 6 times a day.
In many of these cases, the survival rate for this type of viral infection is successful and dogs usually recover completely. However, if there is no improvement or the symptoms worsen, the dog must be taken to the veterinarian to reassess the diagnosis.
