VetInsight Pakistan

What is Canine Hepacivirus (CHV)? Everyone is aware of the serious liver infection known as Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). However, not many people are aware that their canine friends also carry a similar virus that causes serious infection in dogs. This virus is known as Canine Hepacivirus (CHV), and it is one of the most interesting discoveries in the field of veterinary science in recent times.Canine Hepacivirus was first detected in 2011 and is a 'cousin' of the Hepatitis C virus that infects humans. In fact, it is the closest relative of HCV among all animal viruses that have been detected so far.[1,2] Where Did it Come From? It is believed that Canine Hepacivirus and the Hepatitis C virus share a common ancestor that lived many centuries ago— between 500 and 1,000 years ago .[2,5] It is also believed that this virus was initially present in horses and was transmitted to dogs at a time when horses and dogs lived and worked together.[2,6] Is My Dog at Risk? The first thing to k...

Introduction We all love our pets. Be it the wagging tail of our canine friend or the purr of our feline companion, they bring immense joy and happiness to our lives. But do you know that in their mouths, they harbor a tiny invisible killer called Capnocytophaga canimorsus ? This bacteria is a normal inhabitant of the oral flora of 74% of dogs and 57% of cats [1, 5]. For our pets, it is completely harmless. But for us, under certain circumstances, it may become a silent killer. Pathogenesis You don’t necessarily need to be bitten by a dog or cat to acquire Capnocytophaga. While bites and scratches are the most common modes, Capnocytophaga can be acquired by:•Licks to an open wound or broken skin•Contact with pet saliva touching mucous membranes , e.g., your eyes or mouthMost people who encounter Capnocytophaga will not become infected. For some, however, it can cause a serious life-threatening illness [4, 9]. Clinical signs The symptoms of a Capnocytophaga infection manifest themselve...