Recent experience in the epidemiology, clinical findings and diagnos of canine parvovirus enteritis

The authors summarise the latest literature data and their own experience c oncerning the epidemiology, clinical finings and diagnosis of canine parvov irus enteritis. In recent years, the virulence of the virus has increased, and mew strains (CPV-2a, CPV-2b) have been isolated worldwide. Due to widespread vaccination, in most dogs that contact the disease an ina pparent, subclinical infection occurs. Pn dogs that become clinically hi th e virus causes severe enteritis with vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Isolation of the virus and detecion of the virus antigen seem to be the mos t specific methods to confirm diagnosis. The virus can be detected for 3 da ys after the appearance of clinical signs. ELISA and haemagglutination test s are frequently used for the detection of virus antigen in the faeces. Rou tine laboratory and instrumental examination can help in the recognition of the disease and certain complications (intussusception, paralytic ileus). The most important infectious and non-infectious diseases causing bloody di arrhoea are discussed with special regards to differential diagnosis.