FASTest CCoV Strip – Canine Coronavirus

Why Test?

Why is it important to test for Canine Coronavirus?

Canine Coronavirus causes sporadic outbreaks of mild (often self-limiting) to severe enteritis and is known as the second most common etiologic agent of canine viral enteritis next to Canine Parvovirus. Dogs of all ages but especially puppies and dogs in kennels are susceptible to CCoV. CCoV is difficult to clinically differentiate from mild causes of CPV or other enteric diseases as clinical signs are similar.

Although Canine Coronavirus is less severe than distemper or parvovirus, it is important to get dogs tested for this disease. It is a highly contagious intestinal disease which can infect dogs worldwide. The way it is transmitted is normally faeces to oral, which means any uninfected dog can become infected by licking, eating or drinking the infected dog’s faeces or contaminated water. Canine Coronavirus can also strike at the same time as Canine Parvovirus and this will then result in the illness becoming more deadly compared to the dog contracting the viruses individually.

Not every dog will become infected and this can be influenced by several factors including:

• The overall health of the dog
• The dog’s immune system
• Environmental factors including stress, dry or cold weather
• The dog’s vaccination history
• The Virulence of the virus

If all of the above is taken into consideration is it possible that the dog will not become infected and develops the disease but there is a chance of a dog which is exposed to a combination of various conditions becoming susceptible to the disease?