Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Intestinal Parasites: Laboratorial Diagnosis and Clinical Signs From Puppies With Gastroenteritis

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is still spread among puppies in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil despite the use of vaccination. The evolution of CPV enteritis depends on the host’s age, general condition, and on preexisting or concurrent parasitic infections. Fifty-two fecal samples collected in puppies up to 6 months old with gastroenteritis from November 2002 to July 2004 were tested for CPV infection and intestinal parasites. Eighteen samples (34.6%) were positive for CPV and 12 (23%) were positive for intestinal parasites. The clinical signs of more severe enteritis (vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and hemorrhagic fluid diarrhea) was observed in 10 of the 18 CPV-positive puppies and in 3 of the 12 puppies with parasitic infection. The concurrent CPV and detectable parasitic infection was found in 2 samples. Only 1 puppy with concurrent CPV and Ancylostoma spp presented signs of severe disease. For the remaining puppies, the clinical signs varied from soft diarrhea to acute dysentery. These results show that in cases of hemorrhagic or nonhemorrhagic diarrhea with or without vomiting, lethargy, or anorexia, laboratorial diagnosis is essential to confirm CPV or parasitic infection.