Studies on the occurrence of canine parvoviral enteritis in Gannavaram: Investigating viral prevalence and impact in domestic dog populations

The present study was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis in dogs at VCC, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram during the period of May to December 2021. Out of 3,019 dogs presented 328 dogs exhibited signs of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis suggestive of CPV infection, with an overall incidence of 10.86 per cent. Among these, 40 dogs were screened using a rapid one-step immunochromatographic antigenic assay, confirming CPV infection in 36 dogs, which were subjected to detailed epidemiological investigation. CPV infection was predominantly observed in male, irregularly vaccinated, non-descript dogs aged 3-6 months, presenting with foul-smelling diarrhoea (with or without blood), dehydration, inappetence/anorexia, vomiting, cutaneous or erythematous lesions, and pale or congested mucous membranes. Age-wise analysis revealed the highest occurrence (44.45%) in the 3-6-month age group, with males represented 58.33 per cent of cases. Most affected dogs were non-descript breeds (27.78%), and 47.22 per cent were unvaccinated. These findings are consistent with previous reports, reaffirming the increased susceptibility of unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs to CPV enteritis. The study also highlights breed- and age-related variations in disease prevalence. Regular and complete vaccination is critical for maintaining protective immunity, particularly in dogs exposed to stressful environments, immunosuppressive conditions, or direct contact with infected animals. The insights generated may support improved veterinary public health strategies and guide pet-care practices aimed at controlling the spread of canine parvoviral enteritis.