Pseudorabies virus infection in Oklahoma hunting dogs

Abstract

Pseudorabies is caused by Suid herpesvirus 1, a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. Although pigs are the natural host of Pseudorabies virus (PRV), the virus has a broad host range and may cause fatal encephalitis in many species. The United States obtained PRV-free status in 2004 after the virus was eradicated from domestic swineherds, but the virus is still present in feral swine populations. The current report describes PRV infection in 3 dogs that were used to hunt feral swine. The dogs developed clinical signs including facial pruritus with facial abrasions, dyspnea, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, muscle stiffness, and death. Two were euthanized, and 1 died within approximately 48 hr after onset of clinical signs. The salient histologic changes consisted of neutrophilic trigeminal ganglioneuritis with neuronophagia and equivocal intranuclear inclusion bodies. Pseudorabies virus was isolated from fresh tissues from 2 of the dogs, and immunohistochemistry detected the virus in the third dog. Virus sequencing and phylogeny, based upon available GenBank sequences, revealed that the virus was likely a field strain that was closely related to a cluster of PRV strains previously identified in Illinois. Though eradicated from domestic swine in the United States, PRV is present in populations of feral swine, and should therefore continue to be considered a possible cause of disease in dogs and other domestic animals with compatible clinical history and signs. Continued surveillance is necessary to prevent reintroduction of PRV into domestic swine.

Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings

“…Several common themes were identified as contributing to these outbreaks, including high dog density and dog-to-dog contact, 9,35,39 inadequate quarantine of new or returning dogs, 27 poor dog confinement or wildlife exclusion, 9,40 inadequate vaccination, 9 poor vector control, 41 and inadequate disinfection practices. 9,39 Anecdotally, these reports appeared to far underestimate the occurrence of such outbreaks.…”

“…Canine infectious disease outbreaks have occurred in group settings, at least in part, because of lapses in wildlife exclusion and poor dog containment. 9,40 Furthermore, efforts aimed at wildlife and nuisance animal exclusion (eg, fencing) have resulted in a reduction in environmental contamination with infectious pathogens. 59 The risks of wildlife-derived infections vary on the basis of the prevalence of pathogens circulating in the local wildlife and the degree of wildlife contact afforded by the setting.…”

“…59 The risks of wildlife-derived infections vary on the basis of the prevalence of pathogens circulating in the local wildlife and the degree of wildlife contact afforded by the setting. 40 Although complete exclusion of wildlife is unlikely or unrealistic for most outdoor group settings, efforts should be directed to areas where close contact between dogs and wildlife is most likely to be unmonitored (eg, dog housing). The incidence of vector-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis, and RMSF, can be further reduced through dog and environmental vector control.…”

Wild boar offal as a probable source of Aujeszky’s disease virus for hunting dogs in Poland

“…In dogs infected with ADV neurological symptoms, like increased salivation, pruritus, depression, and lethargy, are observed (5,7,11,27). The most prominent necropsy finding is systemic haemorrhage, leading to hypovolemic shock (33).…”

“…The disease in dogs is usually related to exposure to the virus from meat or offal of infected domestic pigs or wild boar (5,7,18,28). In this particular case the infection was most likely spread from wild boar by ingestion of internal organs, e.g.…”