Coronaviruses in Dogs

Coronavirus (CoV) causes intestinal and respiratory diseases in birds, mammals, and humans. In dogs, CoV occurs in two main serotypes, namely, type I and type II, based on mutations and recombination in the spike protein. The pantropical strains are characterized as hypervirulent and multisystemic infections in dogs. Recent outbreaks of coronavirus infection among humans have attracted interest in animal CoV as a source of direct and indirect zoonoses. A literature search was conducted in research databases and open internet sources to analyze coronaviruses in dogs. A total of 189 sources were analyzed, with 142 published in the last decade. Canine coronavirus (CCoV) has undergone mutations and recombination over the past few decades, resulting in changes in tropism, virulence, and the formation of new divergent genetic lines. CCoV is a common component of the canine infectious respiratory disease complex and enteritis of all breeds and ages. CoV infection in pets raises concerns about spreading and transmitting the virus to people and other animals, posing risks to animal and public health. Understanding canine coronaviruses and genetic information sharing could improve prevention and control strategies for future zoonotic coronaviruses.