Since the sad loss of my girls litter this week, I have had 'canine herpes' mentioned to me on more than one occassion, does anybody have any info on this or any links to good websites??

Thanks

link

link 2

Thanks, I'll take a good look!

Hi Sharon,

Sorry to read of your loss.  I know how heartwrenching it is from previous experience.

I have done a lot of research into this as a result of many people I know having had problems - there is a vaccine available.  Meriel Eurican is the one we are currently in the process of trying (when I looked for one this seemed the only one available).  The bitch has 2 injections - one on the day of mating and one 7 weeks later - this last protects the pups when they are born.  The vaccine should be about £20-25 each time.  I asked my vet to order the vaccine in for me - he was really interested as his two bitches have had similar problems.  Other breeders in my area have had similar problems.

CHV can also cause fading puppy syndrome apparently.  Unfortunately there seems to be no viable way of testing for it; it only shows up if the titre(sp?) is high, which is usually only when the animal is stressed.

CHV certainly seems to be if not more prevalent, then more recognised.  One breed club I know of has deemed it worth a big mention in their newsletter.

I refused to take my vet's diagnosis of 'we must just be unlucky', so checked this out after reading about it in a vet magazine.

If you need any more info just let me know.

Regards

Fiona

U P D A T E
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Just a quick update to let you know that the CHV was NOT present in my girl, we had blood tests done and she was completely clear!! The blood sample was taken before my girl started her anti-biotics, so we did have a true result!

99% certain now that my girls cervix didn't shut completely after her season and when it finally did around 5 weeks, she got an infection which killed her litter.

So nobody was at fault, just a sad fact of life :-(

Think this is why it is advised that mated or in season bitches should not be taken to shows or indeed to parks or such where a lot of dogs gather. Realise this was not the problem in your case and I am very sorry that you have suffered such an experience.

My girl didn't leave our house except the visits to the vet because of the bleeding, she didn't even mix with our other dogs, so it's a complete mystery where she picked up the infection!

The good news is that she is improving daily, eating now and playful which is great to see and most important!

Thanks

No Sharon I was not talking of you, yours was a true mishap but you do see mated bitches at shows and those in season, they are all very prone to infection, and my comment was meant to encourage more care.  I am very sorry that you had this happen and I have had the same problem myself, so know how you are feeling, may be from the actual mating or may be just one of those things.

I had my bitch innoculated with the injection canine herpes this is a two part injection
the first was a week before she was mated then the second was on the seventh week my vet hadnt heard of the injection
but she looked it up and said she would reccomend it to other breeders, just not sure of the cost but i paid £42 for mine

We have discussed this with our vet too, although it was DEFINITELY NOT CHV, if we decide to try again next year then maybe we will give the vaccination purely as precaution, but I need to see a 'normal' season from my girl before I'll even consider using her again!  I hope I never had to put any of my dogs through this again or myself!

My vet said the cost was approx £20 per injection, so £42 sounds about right

Thanks for all your replies.
Sharon