The PCR product positive for VP-2 gene yielded a band of 580 base pair (Fig 1).
The overall occurrence of parvovirus infection among dogs with HGE was 62.40% (78/125). The results resembled closely with that of
Sakulwira et al. (2003) and
Kataria et al. (2020). The results of present study reflected parvovirus infection in dogs which might be due to the absence of vaccination or incomplete vaccination among the dogs. Out of 125 cases of HGE, the age wise occurrence was significantly higher in dogs of 0-3 months of age
i.e., 79.06% (34/43) and lowest in dogs of 3-6 months of age
i.e., 53.65% (44/82).
The results of the present study are in accordance with
Naveenkumar et al. (2019);
Chetan et al. (2021);
Patel et al. (2022).
Mahato et al. (2023). Whereas, in accordance with
Behra et al. (2015), the occurrence of parvovirus was highest in dogs of age 3-6 months
i.e., 41.37%.
The possible reason of high occurrence of parvovirus infection among dogs of age group 0-3 months might be due to loss of immune system pertaining in the young ones due to improper weaning and transfer of the virus from infected dam to the foetus. Since the virus has more affinity towards rapidly growing intestinal crypt cells and myocardial cells, the young dogs of age 0-3 months are most vulnerable (
Houston et al., 1996). The dogs of age group 3-6 months may encounter the virus due to declining maternal antibody, paving a way to infection.
Significantly, higher occurrence of parvovirus infection was seen in nondescript breed
i.e., 78.57% (33/42) followed by Labrador Retriever
i.e., 69.69% (23/33) and German Shepherd
i.e., 68.75% while, occurrence for parvovirus infection was nil among Spitz.
The breed wise occurrence is in accordance with the findings of
Sravanthi et al. (2019);
Naveenkumar et al. (2019);
Patel et al. (2022);
Kalita et al. (2022);
Chetan et al. (2021) and
Bhujange et al. (2024) reported highest occurrence of parvovirus infection in Labrador Retrievers.
The unhygienic conditions to which the dogs may have been exposed earlier, fomite born infection could also be considered as the major factor for disease occurrence among them.
The reduced occurrence of the disease in other breeds like Spitz, Pug, Golden Retrievers might be due to proper vaccination protocols being followed. Among total 125 dogs with HGE, 67 were males and 58 were females. Out of which, 48 male dogs (71.64%) and 30 female dogs (51.72%) were found positive for parvovirus infection by PCR. There was a significant increase in the occurrence of parvovirus infection among males.
The result of the present study closely relates with the findings of
Ali et al. (2016) and
Kataria et al. (2020). The findings highlights an increased occurrence among the male dogs, which may be due to males being preferred by the pet owners and hence increased number of their cases being reported.
