Dog diarrhoea: could it be Parvovirus, Coronavirus or Giardia?
Diarrhoea is one of the most common signs of gastrointestinal illness in dogs, but there isn't one single cause.
Changes in food, parasites, viruses, bacteria and many other conditions can all lead to loose stools. Infectious causes include Canine Parvovirus, Canine Coronavirus and Giardia.
Because their symptoms can overlap, looking at diarrhoea alone cannot tell you which infection is responsible.
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus, usually abbreviated to CPV, is a highly contagious virus affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
Young, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs are particularly susceptible. Typical signs include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea. The diarrhoea can be severe and may contain blood.
Parvovirus can lead to severe dehydration and systemic illness. A puppy with vomiting, significant diarrhoea and lethargy therefore requires urgent veterinary attention.
Veterinary diagnosis commonly includes faecal antigen testing alongside the dog's symptoms, vaccination status and clinical examination.
Canine Coronavirus
Canine enteric coronavirus, or CCoV, is another virus associated with gastrointestinal disease in dogs.
It should not be confused with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 in humans.
Canine Coronavirus can contribute to diarrhoea and digestive upset. Different intestinal infections can also occur at the same time, which is one reason symptoms alone are not enough to identify the cause.
Giardia
Giardia is not a virus but a microscopic intestinal parasite.
It is particularly associated with diarrhoea that may be intermittent or persistent. Other signs can include mucus in stools, flatulence, vomiting, reduced appetite and weight loss. Some infected dogs have no symptoms at all.
Dogs become infected after ingesting infectious Giardia cysts from contaminated faeces, water, food or environments.
The symptoms can look very similar
These three conditions can all cause gastrointestinal symptoms. You cannot diagnose the cause based on symptoms alone.
- Diarrhoea can occur with all three
- Vomiting can occur with all three
- Reduced appetite and lethargy are possible
- Recurrent diarrhoea can be particularly suggestive of Giardia
- Severe illness in a young puppy should raise concern for Parvovirus
When is a combination test useful?
When a dog develops gastrointestinal symptoms and several infectious causes are possible, screening for more than one pathogen from the same stool sample can provide more information than testing for only one.
Pet Pharma currently offers:
- Canine Parvovirus Antigen Rapid Test
- Canine Coronavirus Antigen Test
- Giardia Antigen Test
- Canine Parvovirus / Canine Coronavirus Combo Test
- Canine Parvovirus / Canine Coronavirus / Giardia Combo Test
A negative test doesn't rule out every cause
No rapid test identifies every possible reason for diarrhoea. If your dog continues to be ill despite a negative test, contact your veterinarian.
When is diarrhoea an emergency?
Contact a veterinarian urgently if your dog:
- Is a young puppy with vomiting and diarrhoea
- Has bloody diarrhoea
- Is repeatedly vomiting
- Becomes weak or unusually sleepy
- Cannot keep water down
- Appears dehydrated
- Stops eating
- Has rapidly worsening symptoms
Suspected Parvovirus in particular should be taken seriously. The disease is highly contagious and affected dogs may need intensive supportive treatment.
Screen three common infectious causes with one test
If your dog has gastrointestinal symptoms and you want to screen for several possible infectious causes, the Pet Pharma Canine Parvovirus / Canine Coronavirus / Giardia Antigen Combo Test screens for all three in one test.
View the Canine Parvovirus / Canine Coronavirus / Giardia Antigen Combo Test