Virus infections of the respiratory tract of dogs.

Canine respiratory infections are reviewed with special reference to those caused by agents, other than distemper and canine infectious hepatitis viruses, but producing, both naturally and experimentally, the so-called distemper-like syndromes. The existence of canine infections caused by Adeno-Herpes-,Reo-, and Paramyxoviruses is reported, and for each of these agents the physicochemical characteristics, pathogenicity for dogs and other animal species, incidence and methods of dissemination are described. As regrads the prophylaxis of the individual infections that appear particularly widespread in kennels, the possible availability in the short or long term of immunizing preparations is indicated, along with the basic measures of hygiene for their control. The availability of immunizing preparations depends, firstly, on a more exact knowledge of the aetiological agents involved in canine respiratory conditions, and secondly, on a precise determination of the mechanisms by which the immune reactions are elicited. It is, however, obvious that the incidence of respiratory infections could be substantially reduced by the application of all the hygienic measures that can ensure a high environmental standard for the animals.