CANINE HERPES

I was first alerted to this problem by my German shepherd friends. It seems to be a real worry in this breed. I have to say, however, that I have NO reports so far of any problems caused by it in Papillons.

WHAT IS IT?
It`s a very common virus. It seems to be everywhere, and it is unlikely that any dog out and about will not have encountered it. It is a common occupant of dog`s upper respiratory tracts. It can even be carried on human clothing and hands. It is harmless to humans, and does not seem to harm adult dogs either. The problem comes when an infected bitch has a litter.

WHAT DOES IT DO?
Briefly, it is associated with fading litters, affecting puppies between five days and three weeks. Puppies under three weeks do not have the "fever response" - that`s when your body develops a raised temperature to help fight off an infection - and start to cough and wheeze, stop feeding, become very congested, and can die within six hours of liver and kidney failure. Survivors can have kidney and liver problems in later life. Puppies over three weeks can successfully fight off the infection.

TREATMENT?
Not much. But everyone agrees that the puppies must be kept really warm and that it is the weak, chilled, or otherwise stressed litter that comes down with this There is a vaccine called Merial EURICAN HERPES 205, which is given to puppies under three weeks, and also to the bitch, when she is in season and again two weeks before whelping. Again, I have no first hand experience of this and don`t know how effective it would be. If you have tried it, let me know.

FINALLY
There is a lot being said about Canine Herpes. It is being blamed for infertility in both sexes, but there doesn`t seem to be any veterinary proof of this. It does seem to be involved in fading litters, but while some say "isolate your bitch", others think that if she has been exposed to the virus and has a high titer she should be better equipped to pass on immunity to puppies. There is, however, general agreement that litters should be kept really warm for those first three weeks

I am sorry not to have anything more positive to say about this. I would welcome any details of any personal experiences of this problem that members may have had, and wish to share.