There are two types of canine adenovirus infections. CAV 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis and CAV 2 is responsible for upper respiratory problems.
Of the two, CAV 1 is the most serious. Initially this disease is characterized by fever, anorexia and depression. The virus can spread throughout the body, not just the liver. In fact many of the internal organs including the kidneys, spleen and lungs can become infected and damaged.
CAV 1 can also cause bleeding throughout the body and hemorrhages are often seen around the teeth and gums. Prolonged clotting time is one of the ways this disease is diagnosed.
The disease is spread in the urine, feces and saliva of infected dogs. This virus, like canine parvo virus, is very persistent in the environment often surviving for months. Infected dogs that have recovered can shed the virus for up to six months.
The severity of the disease varies from mild to fatal. It's most serious in young puppies.
In the past vaccination has been somewhat controversial. Older vaccines for CAV 1 sometimes caused opacities in the cornea of one or both eyes. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends against vaccination with this type of virus even though the risk is small.
Fortunately there is now a CAV 2 vaccine that protects against both CAV 1 and CAV 2 and does not cause any problem with the eyes. These two viruses are very closely related structurally and that explains how vaccination with one can be protective against the other. The body sees them as the same invader.
The typical puppy vaccination protects against a combination of disease including distemper, canine adenovirus and parvo virus. Ask your veterinarian about their recommendations for your puppy and your area.
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