Coronavirus in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Canine coronavirus is an infectious viral disease that, although it usually has a good recovery outlook, can cause serious health problems in our dog without proper care.

At Soyunperro we'll explain how coronavirus is spread, its symptoms, the best techniques to prevent it, and, if our dog does catch it, how we should treat our beloved companion.

What Is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is caused by a virus (Alphacoronavirus 1) that can infect dogs of any age, breed, or sex. That said, the incidence is much higher in puppies, which are more prone to catching this disease due to their underdeveloped immune system. So, in young animals, clinical signs are more severe and appear more often.

The highest incidence of the disease is found in closed dog populations, such as breeding kennels. Chronicity isn't possible, since this is an acute-course disease (antibodies will develop). It's also very contagious, but if treated in time, it usually doesn't leave lasting effects on the dog and doesn't carry high mortality.

How Is It Spread Between Dogs?

Similar to what happens with other enteric viruses, it spreads via the fecal-oral route, with the feces of affected animals being the primary source of infection. The infection spreads through contamination of objects and the environment. It's been shown that, under favorable conditions, the virus can remain viable in feces for around 10 days.

The disease is mainly found in puppies 1.5 to 3 months old, although adult dogs can also be susceptible to infection.

Overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions, and other negative environmental factors directly influence the incidence of the disease, as happens with other viral enteritis conditions. There's a direct correlation between how severe the clinical picture is and the involvement of other enteric pathogens of various origins. Clinical outbreaks have been observed to appear more often in winter, due to the greater stability of the causative agent at low temperatures and when protected from sunlight (Binn et al., 1981).

Main Symptoms of Canine Coronavirus

Canine coronavirus starts causing symptoms in the dog once the incubation period, which usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, has passed.

After oral exposure, the virus reaches the intestine, and as a result, the intestinal villi become shortened, leading to orange or yellowish-green diarrhea through a malabsorption mechanism. These structures are important for absorbing nutrients, and once they lose function, diarrhea and inflammation of the digestive system appear.

After this stage, the most obvious signs of the disease are:

• Lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite.
• The dog loses interest in food.
• Sometimes a high fever, which can go above 40°C.
• Tremors.
• Vomiting.
• Possible dehydration.
• Abdominal pain.

If you spot one or more of these symptoms in your dog, it's best to take it to the vet as soon as you can, so they can run the necessary tests and reach a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment of Coronavirus in Dogs

During the vet visit, the specialist will examine the dog, note down the symptoms you've observed, and, if canine coronavirus is confirmed (via a snap or rapid test), they'll recommend symptomatic treatment. Treatment, then, is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing possible complications.

The first goal of treatment is replacing fluids and electrolytes intravenously, since dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can be fatal on their own (Pollock and Zimmer, 1986). Sometimes, it's a good idea to pair fluid therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate) to control secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotic treatment is especially indicated in cases where a mixed infection is suspected.

Giving any medication orally is contraindicated during the acute phase of the disease, due to the risk of vomiting. Finally, probiotics, aimed at improving digestive tract function by boosting intestinal flora or microbiota, are also usually prescribed in these cases.

It's important not to self-medicate the dog, since the wrong medication can cause even more harm. And that's the last thing we want, right? So always follow the instructions given by a licensed professional, and if you have any doubts, ask at the clinic.

Can Coronavirus Be Prevented?

Yes, it can. To prevent a dog from catching canine coronavirus and keep it healthy, it's essential to keep it away from other sick dogs and prevent it from eating the feces of infected puppies. Controlling the disease at kennels or breeding facilities requires hygiene measures, given how contagious the disease is and the large number of infectious viral particles shed in the animals' feces.

Puppies can be given a quality diet, supplemented with pre- or probiotics, to strengthen their gut flora (encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria that help maintain intestinal balance).

In addition, it's essential to follow the established vaccination schedule, which the vet can tell you about. Also, maintaining good hygiene and regularly washing the dog's toys, blankets, and other accessories also reduces the risk of infection.

Bibliography: Part of the information obtained from: Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Facultad de veterinaria. Departamento de Patología Animal I. Coronavirus canino: identificación en España. Desarrollo de técnicas para el diagnóstico e inmunización by Mª del Mar Martín Calvo. https://eprints.ucm.es/id/eprint/3206/1/T18331.pdf