If a bitch is found to have had herpes, having lost whole litter. What are implications to stud dog used, could he have it/pass it on to other bitches he serves? And are other bitches in same kennel likely to have herpes too?Thanks

I think it's safest to assume that all dogs and bitches have it and use the vaccine every mating.

"CHV is highly infectious, and a recent study showed that more than 80% of dogs in England have been exposed to the virus at some time in their lives."

The thing about herpes is it's only a problem if the dog has an outbreak of the virus during pregnancy or in the first 3 weeks of the puppies' lives. You can expect all dogs to have it, there's no point trying to protect them from it.

Pretty much all dogs have had it and when their immune systems are low, they might get an outbreak. Just like people with cold sores. Almost all of us have had human herpes simplex virus (cold sores) but probably we can't remember the last time we had a cold sore. We are still harbouring the virus though - but we are not contagious because we don't have any cold sores or a current outbreak of it. But if we get run down and our immune system suffers a hit, we might get a cold sore outbreak. And at that point, we become contagious.

The vast majority of dogs, even if they have had herpes, are not going to get an outbreak during pregnancy. But of course you don't need to take the risk if you get the herpes vaccination.

Frankly and honestly I think any stud dog is going to have had herpes already (unless he's been totally segregated from other dogs and only bred with AIs) so the bitch coming to him with it, isn't going to endanger him - or any other bitches he services. You can't catch something you already have.

A very well explained reply

Thank you :-)