A 25 day old litter of eight Labrador Retrievers was presented for evaluation due to acute onset of abnormal vocalization and dyspnea in two of the puppies.¦ The two puppies showing clinical signs were hypothermic, tachypneic, and had abdominal pain.¦ Despite supportive care and presumptive therapy for bacterial sepsis, the two puppies died.¦ Postmortem examination revealed lesions characteristic of canine herpesvirus infection (CHV).¦ This diagnosis was confirmed by CHV-specific polymerase chain reaction.¦ Two additional puppies showed clinical signs.¦ Specific antiviral therapy was then undertaken with the remaining six puppies, using exogenous warming and acyclovir suspension¦ administered orally.¦ The treated puppies all survived, were successfully weaned, and have uneventful health histories through their current age (26 months).
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