Cut Down Influenza A with Sequivity(R) IAV-S NA

PRV Blamed in Deaths of Hunting Dogs

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) has been blamed in the deaths of at least 3 hunting dogs in Florida's Palm Beach and Martin counties. The dogs died after encounters with wild hogs in the JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

Dogs can become infected with PRV after exposure to infected hogs. Clinical signs seen in dogs include scratching themselves uncontrollably, ataxia, anorexia, vomiting, muscle spasms and dysphagia. Affected dogs may also exhibit neurological signs such as blindness, facial paresis, head tilts, or head-pressing and abdominal pain. Death normally occurs within 48 hours.

It is unlikely that dogs or other animals would be in danger of contracting PRV unless there has been direct contact through a bite wound or through consumption of raw wild hog meat.

PRV was officially eradicated from the U.S. commercial swine herd in 2004 but reservoirs of virus are known to exist in the feral pig populations in multiple states.

Source:
ProMEDmail.org, November 17, 2008

North Florida News Daily.com