In this study; it was aimed to determine serum Hp, Cp, and Alb levels in dogs infected with Hepatazoon canis, Distemper and Babesia canis canis. The material of the study; 45 dogs infected with H. canis (n=15), B. c. canis (n=15) by PCR analysis, and canine distemper (n=15) with the rapid diagnosis kit, which were brought to Iğdır University Tuzluca Animal Hospital formed. In addition, 15 healthy dogs were used for control purposes in the study. The serum Hp, Cp, and Alb levels of dogs with H. canis were determined as 1.8712±0.003 mg/mL, 9.1746±1.504 mg/dL, and 3.1067±0.073 g/dL, respectively. The serum Hp, Cp, and Alb levels of dogs with distemper were 1.8787±0.005 mg/mL, 7.3016±1.439 mg/dL, and 2.9667±0.080 g/dL, respectively. The serum Hp, Cp, and Alb levels of dogs with B. c. canis were measured as 1.8780±0.002 mg/mL, 7.8456±2.092 mg/dL, and 3.2467±0.129 g/dL, respectively. Whereas, serum Hp, Cp, and Alb concentrations of healthy dogs were determined as 1.8662±0.003 mg/mL, 2.9745±0.343 mg/dL, and 2.9600±0.108 g/dL, respectively. While Cp concentration of sick animals were higher than healthy animals (P<0.05), there was no statistically significant difference in Hp and Alb concentrations (P>0.05). As a result, it was determined that serum Cp concentration increased in dogs with H. canis, distemper and B. c. canis compared to healthy dogs, while Hp and Alb concentrations did not change.

Canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), canine parvovirus (CPV), and canine parainfluenza virus 5 (CPIV-5) are the major viral pathogens in dogs. Despite the availability of vaccines for dogs against these 4 viral pathogens, investigations of antibodies against these pathogens have rarely been reported in South Korea. In this study, we investigated the recent incidence of viral diseases in dogs and conducted sero-surveillance for CDV, CAV-2, CPV, and CPIV-5 in Korean dogs. The most frequently diagnosed canine viral disease in Korean dog samples from 2000 to 2022 was CPV infection, which accounted for 48.7% (464/953) of the cases. A total of 400 dog serum samples collected between 2019 and 2022 were screened for the presence of virus-neutralizing antibodies against CDV, CAV-2, CPV, and CPIV-5. The overall seropositivity rates for CDV, CAV-2, CPV, and CPIV5 were 83.8%, 77.8%, 99.3%, and 82.0%, respectively. The protection rate against CPV was the highest (98.3%) and that against CAV-2 was the lowest (44.8%) in dog sera. Male and female dogs showed no significant differences in seropositivity rates. CDV and CPIV-5 seropositivity increased with age in dogs, and the highest incidence and seropositivity rates of CPV indicated that Korean dogs have been continuously exposed to wild CPV, and that CPV is a pathogen that urgently requires attention among canine viral diseases.

Only a few hybridization experiments have been performed for detection of canine distemper virus (CDV) nucleic acid sequences in tissue cultures and in various tissues. Those published studies used probes derived from tissue culture-adapted CDV, and hybridization signals were not obtained in the CNS tissue, although infective CDV and viral antigen were detectable in this tissue. We developed probes complementary to virulent CDV and were able to detect viral RNA not only in primary brain cell cultures, but also in brain tissues, by use of in situ hybridization. Sensitivity of the test at least equaled that of immunohistochemistry. We applied digoxigenin-labeled, strand-specific RNA probes complementary to the nucleoprotein-coding viral nucleic acid sequence. Our results indicate that to detect CDV nucleic acid sequences in brain tissues, it is essential to use probes derived from the virulent virus.

The sense of smell in dogs infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) was examined by use of EEG olfactometry, behavioral olfactometry, and electro-olfactography. Infection with CDV was confirmed by a direct immunofluorescence technique in 8 active cases and was suggested by clinical history compatible with canine distemper 10 to 26 weeks earlier in 6 cases. Pathologic alterations of the olfactory mucosa in 3 clinically affected dogs was examined by light microscopy. Infection with CDV was found to be associated with anosmia and lack of recorded responses on electro-olfactogram in 8 of 8 dogs with clinical signs of acute distemper from naturally acquired infections. Anosmia was found in 5 of 6 dogs that had recovered from acute distemper 10 to 26 weeks earlier. The sixth dog had hyposmia, with abnormalities on the electro-olfactogram. Histologic examination was not performed on the 6 dogs that had recovered. Histologic lesions observed at necropsy in 3 dogs that had had clinical signs of acute distemper were those of subacute purulent rhinitis and atrophy of the olfactory epithelium. Altered olfactory function could be explained by mucopurulent exudate blocking odors from olfactory receptors in the acutely affected dogs, but alteration of olfactory function in the dogs that had recovered without clinical evidence of rhinitis could not be explained.

To identify risk factors of canine distemper, which is one of the most important disease of dogs in Korea, a case-control study was performed with 2,507 cases and 4,121 controls from 630 veterinary clinics throughout Korea. In multivariate logistic regression models, the sampling period (Mars and April) and the age of the dogs (7-12 months old) were associated with an increased risk of canine distemper. Sex, body size and residential region showed no significant relationship.