3 Things You Need To Know About CRCoV As A Dog Owner

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If you are a new dog owner, you need to make sure that understand how canine respiratory coronavirus, or CRCoV works, and how you can protect your dog from contracting it.

CRCoV

Canine respiratory coronavirus is related to the group 2 coronavirus, which is connected to the virus that causes the common cold in humans. In dogs, this virus causes an acute respiratory infection. It is one of the many types of bacteria and viruses that can cause what is commonly known as kennel cough or canine infectious respiratory disease. It can also co-exist with other diseases as well, such as distemper, parainfluenza and herpes, wreaking havoc on your dog's system as it makes your dog more susceptible to other viruses.

What Dogs Gets CRCoV

CRCoV is a virus that only affects dogs; it does not other affect other animals and humans cannot catch this virus either. The dogs that are most likely to contract CRCoV are dogs that are near other animals in close confinement. For example, if you regularly board your dog at a kennel, if you take your dog to dog shows, or if you race your dog, your dog is at a higher risk of contracting CRCoV than a dog that stays in their own house indoors or in their backyard. This is a virus that is spread through close contact with other animals.

How It Is Spread

CRCoV is spread through direct contact with an infected dog to a non-infected dog. It can also be spread through respiratory secretion, such as when an infected dog coughs or sneezes on other dogs. This secretion can be transferred onto both hard and soft surfaces, such as collars, leashes and food bowls. If those surfaces are not disinfected, one dog can get sick from the respiratory secretion that it leaves behind.

How It Is Treated

There is not currently a vaccination for CRCoV. AT this time, it is diagnosed through a diagnostic panel that your doctor can run to test for a variety of different respiratory pathogens all at once.

If your dog does have CRCoV, one of the first things that your vet will suggest you do is isolate your dog, since this virus is really contagious and can be easily spread to others. Your dog is going to essentially need to be quarantined during this time so that they don't spread the virus to others. A treatment plan will be created based on the type of signs that your dog is showing. Oftentimes, when a dog contracts CRCoV, they contract other viruses as well, so you dog may be treated for any secondary bacterial infections that they have with antibiotics. Depending on any secondary infections that your dog has, their quarantine period may have to be extended. This is a treatable disease, but it is something that could take your dog a while to fight and they will have to quarantined during this time period from other dogs. 

For more information, contact your local vet's office like North Lexington Veterinary Clinic.


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