The canine coronavirus is a highly contagious virus. It can be transmitted to your dog if he comes into contact with infected feces. Most dogs are naturally immune. However, puppies less than a year old can develop symptoms upon infection. Many are able to recover, but the virus can be fatal in some cases.
Symptoms
Some dogs will only experience mild symptoms that are hardly detectable. However, others can develop severe signs that may indicate a fatal form of the disease. Some of the more common signs include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and depression. It's also common for dogs to have diarrhea, with mucus and or blood in the stool.
Diagnosis
Canine coronavirus causes some of the same symptoms as parvovirus, a much more serious disease that's often fatal. In order to distinguish which one is affecting your dog, the veterinarian will have to analyze a stool sample. If the two viruses are causing an infection at the same time, it increases the mortality rate dramatically.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dogs affected with the coronavirus. The virus will just have to run its course until your dog's immune system can recover. Management of the diseases depends on your dog's overall health, condition, and severity of the disease.
Since dogs usually experience vomiting and diarrhea simultaneously, dehydration can become a problem. Therefore, one of the first methods of treatment include administering intravenous fluids. Medications can also be prescribed to try to help control the vomiting and diarrhea. Secondary infections will need to be prevented with the use of antibiotics.
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