Prevalence of canine parvovirus infection at different pet clinics in Lahore, Pakistan

Prevalence of canine parvovirus (CPV) infection was studied in the dog population of Lahore. A total of 198 fecal samples were taken aseptically from dogs clinically suspected for parvovirus infection from different pet clinics of Lahore during 2010-2011. Most animals had a history of hemorrhagic diarrhoea, vomiting and a few had yellow diarrhea with mucus. Cases were categorized and recorded on the basis of sex, age and breed. Fecal samples were processed for haemagglutination test (HAT) and slide agglutination test (SAT) for CPV antigen. The overall prevalence of CPV was 22.7% (45/198). It was observed that CPV was more prevalent in the 0-2 month age group (44.5%), dogs of the German shepherd breed were more susceptible (40%), and female dogs were more at risk (58.5%). The cardiac form of the disease was noted in young puppies while the enteric form of the disease was noted in both puppies and in young dogs. Tissue samples were collected in 10% formalin for histological study of heart and intestinal tissue. In the cardiac form there was a severe to mild loss of myofibres, sarcolemmal proliferation, and intranuclear inclusion bodies while in the enteric form a complete loss of intestinal villi, compaction of the lamina propria with dilated crypts and a lack of leucocytes were observed. The results showed that SAT is a cheap and rapid screening test for the diagnosis of CPV infection. It is suggested that dogs should be vaccinated against CPV in order to eradicate this life threatening disease of dogs from Pakistan.

Duke Scholars

Author Sajid Umar DKU Faculty