Everything about the dangerous Aujeszky's disease
You want to know everything about Aujeszky's disease? In this guide, I explain all the facts and what you need to know about Aujeszky's virus. We have also sought advice for this article from veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic for this article.
What is Aujeszky's virus?
I love going for walks in the woods with my dog when we're in the countryside. These are times when we can both really switch off at the weekend. She can really let off steam, act out her primal instincts and remember her ancestors. We occasionally sniff a lot.
There are smells and sensations that our dear dogs miss so much, just as humans do. We have forgotten many things in the age of big cities and technical comfort.
These moments in the forest and in the lap of Mother Nature are a journey into primal existence for both my furry nose and me.
Until I met a hunter on my walk. He pointed out to me that it would be better for my little one if I kept her on a leash. When I asked him why, he told me about the pseudo rage and how it is transmitted.
I never forget his words:
"You city people know that you should not feed your dogs with raw pork... Yes, do you also know that your dogs are directly confronted with the actual pathogen when they sniff uncontrolled in the forest here and there? My dear man, that happens in no time! ... Nature is not to be trifled with! ... Caution is better than indulgence!"
It was then that I realized how unconsciously we as "conscious city dwellers" sometimes act and think. Even if I'm not superstitious: The hunter was both a gift and a warning for me - like a guardian angel warning me in advance...
Because no sooner had I tied my darling to her leash and walked on with her for a bit, than she started tugging: about two meters away to the right I saw a carrion of a forest animal...!
I started researching pseudo rage that very evening. I'd like to share everything I found out about it with you. We both still love going into the forest. But this time we're also accompanied by the foresight 😉
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What is pseudo-rage?
Aujeszky's disease (also known as Aujeszky's disease; pseudowut; pseudorabies; infectious bulbar paralysis; itch disease; mad itch) is caused by the herpes virus Suid Herpesvirus 1, SuHV-1.
Hungarian veterinarian Aladár Aujeszky first described SuHV-1 in 1902, and it was not until the 1930s that researchers recognized it as the trigger of pseudowut and pigs as its natural host and vector.
Aujeszky's disease is a worldwide animal disease. Suspicion of Aujeszky's disease in domestic pigs and other domestic animals must be reported.
However, the detection of Aujeszky's disease in wild boar is neither notifiable nor reportable. Nevertheless, the presence of this disease in wild boar poses a risk to our pets and domestic pigs.
For example, in 2011, the first positive diagnoses were reported during an investigation in Lower Saxony.
The virus infects the central nervous system and organs, such as the respiratory tract of mammals like dogs, cats, cattle, sheep or rabbits. The infection is always fatal in these so-called final hosts. Exceptions to this are humans and higher primates.
The main host - the pig - recovers after infection, but can still infect other animals with it. Excluded from this are piglets up to four weeks of age, they usually do not survive the disease.
Consequently, domestic and wild pigs are the only species that survive infection by this virus. Therefore, they also serve as the main host and vector.
Domestic as well as wild pigs primarily develop transient respiratory symptoms when infected. However, in pregnant sows, the virus can cross the placenta, infect and kill the fetuses.
Germany started an eradication program in 1989, which resulted in our country beinghas been officially SuHV-1 free since 2003. However, this only applies to domestic pigs and not to wild boars. Accordingly, there is still a risk that other mammals can be infected by wild boar.
The virus is very resistant. It can survive at 4 °C for months, at 25 °C for up to 40 days, at 56 °C for thirty minutes and at 80 °C for around eight minutes. The virus is only inactivated above 55 °C.
Transmission is not tied to a particular season. Dogs can contract Aujeszky's disease if they come into contact with infected, unheated or untreated pork.
Theoretically, the virus can also be transmitted via shoes and clothing. Therefore, transmission from the main host to the final host - in this case the dog - cannot be ruled out. However, the risk of infection also depends on the amount of virus.
Infection through wild boar droppings is also theoretically possible. Depending on the prevailing conditions, the virus can also survive outside the host for a certain period of time. However, the probability is very low.
There are reports of transmission outside of host animals. However, no study has demonstrated that the virus is contagious in the wild environment.
The cases known to date in Europe are linked to wild boar killed on the hunt and their organs or meat. The probability of indirect infection is therefore low. Infection of a (hunting) dog through contact with infected blood of a wild boar can be good.
The virus is ingested via the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. It is therefore sufficient for infection if the potential final host has contact with the mucous membrane of an infected pig.
After the virus is ingested via the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, the pathogen enters the gastrointestinal tract. From there it enters the nervous system and travels to the brain, the brain stem and the cranial nerve nuclei. The brain tissue is destroyed and the nervous system fails.
The incubation period is 2-9 days. This is the time between infection and outbreak of the disease. In many cases, this can be 3-5 days. Unfortunately, this disease is not treatable.
In addition, the treatment of this disease is prohibited by law. This is because it is a notifiable animal disease. For control, farmers and veterinarians must strictly follow the**"Regulation for protection against Aujeszky's disease.** hold
There is no vaccine against this virus. One to two days after the first symptoms appear, the infection ends in death.
The symptoms of the infection strongly resemble rabies. That is why this disease is also called pseudo-rabies or pseudo-rabies. Compared to rabies, dogs that get rabies develop aggressive behavior, are not thirsty and are water-shy, which is not or rather rarely the case with Aujeszky infected dogs.
After an infection, it quickly comes to a Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, causing severe damage to the nervous system as well.
The most obvious sign of an infection is intense itching. The affected dog scratches or gnaws at the itchy areas so violently that very severe tissue damage occurs. The itching starts on the head area, especially the ears, and spreads to the whole body.
Other symptoms include shortness of breath or increased respiratory rate, difficulty swallowing, increased saliva production, diarrhea and vomiting. Listlessness, loss of appetite and increased breathing may occur. Many of the infected animals have aincreased temperature of 41 °C. Clouding of consciousness, convulsions and paralysis accompany the final stage of infection. Within 24 to a maximum of 48 hours, the dog ends up losing consciousness and dying. The disease always ends in death in dogs and cats.**
Unfortunately, a reliable diagnosis can only be made after death, as the disease progresses very quickly. Contact your vet immediately at the first signs! However, there is nothing more your vet can do for an infected dog. Except to put him out of his misery.
If you live in a rural area or like to take your furry friend on trips into the woods, then you should be especially careful. This is especially true if you like to go hunting.
All areas where wild boar can occur are considered risk areas. Even though most regions of the EU are now considered epidemic-free, this only refers to domestic pigs.
Never let your dog out of your control, especially when walking in wooded areas. The risk of your pet coming into contact with an Aujeszky-infected wild boar is too high. It is best to keep your furry companion on a lead.
You should also make sure that your pet does not come into contact with carrion or meat from hunted wild boar or their blood during your walks. If you go hunting with your four-legged friend, make sure that he does not come into contact with the bullet wounds of a wild boar.
Never feed your pet raw meat and offal from domestic or wild boar. Even a small amount of raw, infected meat can transmit the virus. If you feed your furry friend pork, make sure you boil or roast the pork thoroughly!
Our areas and some EU countries are officially exempt from Aujeszky's disease. We must not overlook the fact that this only applies to domestic pigs. The risk still exists in wild boar.
Here I would like to repeat the quotes of my guardian angel in hunter form: "Foresight is better than hindsight!"
We must not forget that our four-legged friends face this risk, especially in areas with wild boars.
That's why:
Better to walk in a controlled way and with a leash!
Pork - whether wild or barn-raised - boil well!
Two tiny behavioral changes can make life persistently more enjoyable!
I hope to have helped you with my tips. If you are still looking for the right food for your pet, I recommend you to read in our detailed Dog food test to read. If you prefer to cook for yourself, here are our 15 tips for Barf Beginners.
