Rotavirus

By: Yesenia Segarra

Introduction: Rotavirus
Scientific Name: Rotavirus

Family: Reoviridae

Subfamily: Sedoreovirinae

Group: Group III (dsRNA)

Shape: Wheel-Shape

Between human and animal rotaviruses there can be genetic rematchings and
the VP6 protein is an antigen common to the group.
Rotavirus: (In dogs)
- Rotavirus causes inflammation of the intestines and in
severe cases, dysfunction in the intestinal walls.
- It is the leading cause of diarrhea and gastrointestinal
upset in dogs.
- Although it can be seen in dogs at any age, puppies are more prone to rotavirus
infections, especially those less than 12 weeks old.
- It infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes
gastroenteritis.
Rotavirus: Dogs -Symptoms and Types
- The primary symptom of a rotavirus infection is mild to moderate
watery diarrhea. In severe cases, dogs may die from dehydration,
extreme weight loss, and/or an unwillingness to eat. Dogs may also
exhibit fatigue or lethargy.
Rotavirus: Dogs- Causes
- Transmitted through contact with contaminated fecal matter.
- Dogs with underdeveloped or weak immune systems are most at risk for the
infection.
- Not of major concern because it is not commonly encountered, and fatalities in
puppies are rare. It should, however, be a consideration when puppies are
encountered with diarrhea.
Rotavirus: Dogs - Diagnosis &
Treatment
- In dogs, your doctor will likely try to rule out other conditions before diagnosing
rotavirus. Some causes for inflammation of the intestine may include parvovirus (a rash
disease), coronavirus (a virus affecting the intestines), astrovirus (causes diarrhea),
herpes virus, distemper virus, and canine reovirus (also called kennel cough).
- Lab tests to detect the virus may include laboratory examination of tissue samples, or
microscopic exploration of feces. One such test is ELISA (or enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay), a biochemical technique. Also be able to identify the virus using a
technique called virus isolation.
3-D Model
Rotavirus is a wheel-shaped virus that gets its name from its complex shape ('rota'
means wheel in Latin). Its genome consists of 11 double-stranded RNA segments
that generate six structural proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, VP4, VP6 & VP7) and six
nonstructural proteins (NSP1-6).
Work Cited...
"Rotavirus." - Simple English Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d.
Web. 26 Feb. 2016. <https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotavirus>.
"Intestinal Viral Infection (Rotavirus) in Dogs." Intestinal Viral Infection
(Rotavirus) in Dogs. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_rotavirus_infections>.
N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.vetbook.org/wiki/dog/index.php?title=Rotavirus>.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotavirus>.
"Introduction to Digestive Disorders of Dogs." : Digestive Disorders of Dogs:
The Merck Manual for Pet Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/dig
estive_disorders_of_dogs/introduction_to_digestive_disorders_of_dogs.html>
.