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Canine coronavirus (CcoV) is spread globally and particularly affects dogs kept in kennels and puppies. If we compare human coronavirus to that affecting dogs, it causes respiratory problems in the former, whilst the latter predominantly leads to gastrointestinal complaints. Although coronavirus infections in dogs are usually mild, they can be severe with heavy diarrhoea and even lead to death in animals with weak immune systems.
With humans, Covid-19 is triggered by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which originated in China. As the federal research institute for animal health, the Friedrich Löffler Institute (FLI) monitors the current disease situation and publishes the latest scientific findings. So far researchers have assumed that coronavirus is transmitted by bats, pangolins or snakes. Recently a case was announced in which the viruses were also detected in the nose and mouth of a healthy dog in Hong Kong. However, experts assume that coronavirus reached the dog from close physical contact with an infected dog owner. According to the latest findings by the researchers, an actual infection of the dog now being examined in quarantine is more likely to be ruled out. If you yourself are in quarantine, it’s recommend to ask someone close to you to help take care of pets by taking them out for walks. However, there are not yet any mandatory quarantine measures for dogs of sick people.
Although a cat was diagnosed with Covid-19, showing symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory issues after being infected by its owner, experts insist that this was a rare case. The cat has recovered after 9 days, but is still being observed by vets.
There is no evidence according to the Friedrich Löffler Institute that dogs can fall sick from Covid-19, but other coronaviruses can play a big role in the health of dogs:
Coronavirus affects numerous mammals, meaning that cats (FEVC and FIPV), pigs, cows or us humans can suffer from coronavirus as well as dogs. However, not all infections in dogs lead to signs of illness. Accordingly, adult dogs with a strong immune system often show no symptoms, although they can infect dogs with weak immune systems (e.g. puppies) through direct and indirect contact.
Particles of canine coronavirus (CCoV) are absorbed through the mouth or nose and then pass through the oesophagus to the gastrointestinal tract. Possible causes of infection can be faecally contaminated drinking water, contaminated objects (e.g. dog toys) and direct contact with infectious dog faeces. Virus particles multiply in the mucous membrane of the stomach and big and small intestine and can partly lead to major damage through inflammations. The consequence is decreased intake of water and nutrients from food, which can be life-threatening particularly for puppies with low energy reserves. It can take up to two weeks for newly formed virus particles to be excreted in the faeces once symptoms come to the fore, which is why effective hygiene measures should be taken at this time in particular.
Dogs react differently to canine coronavirus infections depending on the state of their immune system. Hence, puppies or otherwise affected dogs (e.g. with parvovirus) can suffer more than adult dogs with a strong immune system. As a result, the following gastrointestinal complaints can affect dogs suffering from coronavirus:
Unfortunately a new illness cannot be ruled out if a dog has already suffered from canine coronavirus.
Gastrointestinal complaints in dogs can be triggered by many illnesses. Hence, the general state of health (examining mouth mucosa, water level, cardiac and respiratory frequency and internal body temperature), vaccination status, housing and feeding habits and deworming prophylaxis should be checked by a vet during the anamnesis and general clinical examination.
If an dog’s circulation is so severely impinged by loss of water and electrolytes that continued treatment is intolerable, the circulation must first be stabilised with fluid or electrolyte treatment. Only afterwards can a canine coronavirus infection be confirmed by a blood or faeces examination:
Along with theses tests, it is also recommended to carry out a parasitological examination of the faeces.
Diarrhoea shouldn’t be underestimated with puppies in particular, as this can soon become a life-threatening situation due to their low energy reserves. The focus of treatment should therefore be on supportive measures that minimise diarrhoea and stabilise the dog’s circulation:
The prognosis of canine coronavirus depends greatly on the immune status. Hence, puppies or dogs that have already suffered from parvovirus or distemper have a worse chance of recovery than dogs with a strong immune system. As a result, an early diagnosis and effective treatment are important in order to keep the loss of water and electrolytes as low as possible.
It’s possible to protect dogs from canine coronavirus (CCoV) infection with a vaccination. However, this is currently not permitted for dogs in Germany, since the efficacy of the vaccine is disputed amongst experts. Nevertheless, dogs should be vaccinated against infectious diseases like parvovirus, distemper and leptospirosis according to the vaccination recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Committee of Veterinary Medicine (StIKo Vet) or the Friedrich Löffler Institute. The aim of such vaccinations is partly targeted prophylaxis of the relevant pathogen and on the other hand avoiding subsequent immunosuppression. Hence, vaccinated dogs are indirectly protected from severe progression of the canine coronavirus.
In addition, the following hygiene measures are recommended to avoid infectious diseases:
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At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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