Retrospective examination of pups died due to canine herpesvirus infection

The authors diagnosed canine herpesvirus infection in 16 puppies originating from 14 locations, with gross pathological, histological and virological examinations between 2005 and 2013. Twelve puppies were younger than 2 weeks old, three were 4 weeks old and one was 10 weeks old, when they died suddenly or after a few hours presenting clinical sings. The macroscopic lesions were already suggestive for canine herpesvirus infection, which was further supported by the detection of characteristic microscopic changes in all cases. Inclusion bodies were not observed in any cases. Haemorrhages and focal necroses were found almost in 100% of the cases in the liver, spleen, lungs, and brain. Similar lesions were evident only in 22% to 55% of the cases in the other organs.