Background Information

The members of the rotavirus family cause a wide range of gastrointestinal tract ailments in many mammals. Though the human rotavirus is one of the leading causes of acute enteritis in infants and young children, the canine form proves less problematic for puppies and young dogs. Based on what information researchers have gathered, rotavirus seems to only rarely be the cause of illness in puppies, but does occasionally cause intestinal trouble for these animals.

Symptoms

The symptom most commonly associated with rotavirus infection is acute diarrhea, and then usually in pups less than 12 weeks of age. Other clinical signs include mild appetite loss and some level of lethargy.

If your puppy is ill and rotavirus is a suspect, a number of laboratory tests may be used to detect the presence of rotaviral antigens. The most common and straightforward of these diagnostic methods is the commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test, which uses technology similar to a home pregnancy test and may be completed by your veterinarian in his office. Again however infection with rotavirus is usually short-lived and relatively mild. Diagnostics may not be necessary.