Canine parvovirus infection in South American canids.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infections occurred in 5 of 35 South American canids at the Department of Conservation (DC), a breeding facility of the National Zoological Park in Front Royal, Va. The clinical signs were anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting. Three of the affected canids survived and had high hemagglutination-inhibition titers to CPV in the recovery period. Necropsy of the 2 that died revealed extensive necrosis of the intestinal mucosa; CPV particles were observed by electron microscopy in the intestinal contents of both animals. Six of the 30 canids that remained healthy had high hemagglutination-inhibition titers to CPV prior to the episode of illness, indicating earlier subclinical exposure. Pet dogs belonging to DC personnel that were screened as a possible source of the infection had no evidence of disease. All canids (including pet dogs) on the DC grounds were vaccinated repeatedly with a killed feline panleukopenia virus product after the episode, with little or no effect on existing titers.