From the Guidelines
Dogs can get a specific type of norovirus, known as GIV norovirus, which is a cause of diarrhea in dogs. While the human norovirus strain does not typically infect or cause illness in dogs, there is evidence to suggest that dogs can be infected with a different genotype of norovirus, as reported in a study published in 2011 1. This study found that a GIV norovirus was discovered as a cause of diarrhea in dogs, suggesting the potential for zoonotic transmission. However, it's essential to note that the human norovirus strain is different from the canine norovirus strain, and dogs are not typically infected with the human norovirus strain.
Some key points to consider:
- Noroviruses can be divided into at least five genogroups, and the strains that infect humans are found in GI, GII, and GIV, whereas the strains infecting dogs are found in GIV 1.
- The GIV norovirus is a cause of diarrhea in dogs, and it's possible that dogs can serve as mechanical carriers of human norovirus, but the virus doesn't actually infect or replicate within the dog's body.
- If you're concerned about gastrointestinal illness in your dog showing symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, it's likely caused by a canine-specific pathogen, and you should consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It's crucial to prioritize the health and well-being of your dog, and if you suspect that your dog is infected with a norovirus or any other pathogen, you should seek veterinary care immediately to prevent morbidity, mortality, and to improve the quality of life for your dog.
From the Research
Can Dogs Get Norovirus
- Dogs can potentially carry human noroviruses (HuNoVs) and transmit the infection to humans, as suggested by a study that detected HuNoV in four faecal samples from pet dogs that had been in direct contact with symptomatic persons 2.
- The study found that three of the positive samples contained genotype GII.4 variant 2006b or 2008 and one GII.12, and all NoV-positive dogs lived in households with small children, with two dogs showing mild symptoms 2.
- Another study found that seven different genotypes of HuNoV virus-like particles (VLPs) can bind to canine gastrointestinal tissue, suggesting that infection is at least theoretically possible 3.
- Although HuNoV RNA was not identified in stool samples from 248 dogs, serological evidence of previous exposure to HuNoV was obtained in 43/325 canine serum samples, with canine seroprevalence for different HuNoV genotypes mirroring the seroprevalence in the human population 3.
- The findings of these studies suggest that dogs may play a role in the transmission of HuNoVs to humans, highlighting the need for further epidemiological and molecular investigations to elucidate the significance of this finding 2, 3.