Diagnostic problems posed by respiratory infections of dogs

The following viruses as well as bacteria and mycoplasma have been isolated from dogs with contagious respiratory disease: canine distemper virus; Canine adenoviruses (type 1 and 2); Parainfluenza type 2 (SV5); Reovirus type 1; Canine Herpesvirus; Bordetella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus, Pasteurella, Staphylococcus and Mycoplasma. The occurrence of these agents can be in direct relationship with: the evolution of a systemic disease; respiratory disorders being a regular or inconsistant symptom of this disease; the evolution of a disease restricted to the respiratory tract; the tropism of the bacterial or viral agent is exclusively respiratory; secondary bacterial complications to a primary viral infection; saprophyte state or latency without pathologic significance. These various infectious agents are implicated alone or in mixed infections and the wide variety of clinical symptoms don't allow to precise a clinical diagnosis. We will try to bring some bases allowing, by the help of laboratory an etiologic diagnosis. This diagnosis is essential for providing an efficient prevention. We will approach some parameters which we have been confronted with as regards Canine Distemper and Canine Adenovirosis. Our purpose is, through these examples of the canine pathology, to confirm and complete some other similar situations which can appear in other animal species.