Ohio investigates possible presence of canine circovirus

A spate of mysterious dog illnesses in the US state of Ohio are feared to be due to circovirus, a disease normally found in pigs.

The state's Department of Agriculture is urging veterinary surgeons to contact its Division of Animal Health if they suspect any animal in their care is suffering from the suspected virus.

In a statement released at the beginning of September, the department said it has been taking reports of "severe" dog illness in several parts of Ohio for the past three weeks.

It said all the affected dogs have exhibited similar symptoms, including vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, weight loss and lethargy, and that it is generally believed there is an unknown contributor to the cases.

However, the department has announced that a faecal sample of one ill dog in the state has tested positive for canine circovirus – the first detection of the disease in Ohio.

As part of its investigation into the mystery illnesses, the department is also looking into the significance of this finding.

Dr Tony Forshey, state veterinary surgeon, said: "Because the symptoms being exhibited can also be linked to other known illnesses, additional analysis and information is needed to determine if this virus alone or in co-infection contributes to illness and death in dogs."

He added: "While we continue to work diligently to identify what is making these dogs sick, we are asking Ohio's veterinarians to help by contacting our laboratory for consultation if they suspect they are treating a related case."