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Dog coronavirus jumps to humans, with a protein shift:

In 2018, a canine coronavirus was detected in a pneumonia patient hospitalized in Malaysia

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Cornell researchers have identified a shift in canine coronavirus that points to a possible pattern of change found in other coronaviruses and may provide clues to how they transmit to humans from animals.



A new canine coronavirus was first identified in two Malaysian human patients who developed pneumonia in 2017-18. Now, a team led by Cornell and Temple University researchers has identified a pattern that occurs in a terminus of the canine coronavirus spike protein – the area of the virus that facilitates entry into a host cell: The virus shifts from infecting both the intestines and respiratory system of the animal host to infecting only the respiratory system in a human host.



The paper, "Recent Zoonotic Spillover and Tropism Shift of a Canine Coronavirus is Associated with Relaxed Selection, and Putative Loss of Function in NTD Subdomain of Spike Protein" (https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915...) was published on April 21 in the journal Viruses. This study identifies some of the molecular mechanisms underlying a host shift from dog coronavirus to a new human host, which may also be important in the circulation of a new human coronavirus that we previously didn't know about. In the study, the researchers used state-of-the-art molecular evolution tools to assess how pressures from natural selection may have influenced the canine coronavirus' evolution.

Protect Dogs From Parvovirus:

Dogs are man's best friend, and owners generally want to keep them as safe as possible. When more than 30 dogs in Northern Michigan died from an undiagnosed illness in late August, the first news reports called it "mysterious" and "parvo-like."



In the last few weeks, much has been made about a possible mysterious illness that has affected dogs that doctors from Michigan State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) confirmed to be canine parvovirus. The cases have generally affected dogs in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula that did not have a history of complete vaccination, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and there are no cases reported in St. Joseph County. However, fears and questions about parvovirus have worried Michiganders all over the state.



At first, these parvovirus cases were a bit more complicated and mysterious because point-of-care tests at veterinary offices and shelters consistently tested negative for the disease, although dogs showed symptoms suggestive of it. Because of this, veterinarians are encouraged to pursue additional diagnostics when screening tests for canine parvovirus are negative, but clinical presentation is consistent with parvovirus infection.

Steps to protect the animals:

• Keep up with routine vaccinations by ensuring that dogs/puppies are vaccinated against canine parvovirus, rabies, canine distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis a veterinarian.
• Have dogs/puppies fully vaccinated before interacting with other animals to keep them healthy and safe?
• Keep dogs/puppies home and away from other dogs if they exhibit any illness, and contact your veterinarian.
• Be sure to clean up after your pet while walking them in public.