Canine Parvovirus Infection in Dogs: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Egypt

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a global infectious and contagious viral disease of canine, especially in dogs infected by three variants of CPV type. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and potential risk factors of parvovirus infection in dogs residing in Egypt. A total of 122 dogs suffering from vomiting and diarrhea were screened by antigen rapid CPV/Canine Coronavirus Ag test kit for the diagnosis of CPV infection from March 2012 to February 2013. Age, breed, season, and vaccination of each dog were recorded to study the prevalence of CPV. The overall prevalence of CPV infection in dogs was reported as 59.7%. Dogs between 0 and 3 months of age indicated the highest prevalence of 68% followed by 4-6 months of age which was 53.3%. The lowest prevalence of CPV was reported in dogs above 6 months of age (20%). The maximum prevalence was noticed in non-descript dogs (48.5%) followed by German shepherds (26.7%), Doberman (23.07%), and Griffon (16.6%). Among different risk factors, young, unvaccinated puppies and exotic breeds were more prone to CPV infection. Regarding the season, the higher prevalence was noticed in summer (77.1%) followed by spring (55.5%), autumn (25%), and winter (16.6%). Thus, CPV is an infectious and highly contagious viral disease of dogs. Age and seasonal variations are risk factors in the prevalence of CPV infection. Identification of the potential risk factors associated with the disease may be helpful to construct the ideal preventive measures.