Question: What is Canine Herpesvirus?

ANSWER:
It is a viral infection confined strictly to canids that is similar to herpesviruses of other species.  It mostly infects newborn puppies during the 1rst month of life.  It can be transmitted after birth in utero-passing through the birth canal, or by contact with infected littermates, from the bitche's nasal secretions, or by contact with an infected article/object.  In adults, transmission is via venereal and respiratory routes.  Clinical signs vary with age of infection of animal.  Pups:  fatal generalized viremia: multi lesions of necrosis and hemorrhage in organs like kidney, spleen, liver, GI tract, lungs, etc.  Signs: depression, failure to thrive, yellow-green diarrhea, nasal discharge, skin lesions, seizures and death within 24-48 hrs.  Older animals:  mild infection confined to respiratory or genital tracts-mild nasal/eye discharge, and inflammation of the vagina or the testicles which may be reddened or not.  Local genital infections can be transmitted venereally or through passage of pups through the birth canal.  Virus isolation from various tissues and bloodwork for titers to infection are the only definative diagnostics.  There is no effective treatment.  There is no vaccine currently available for this virus.  Hope this answers your question.  Good luck!