Aujeszky's disease in dogs: first confirmed case in Moselle

An 18-month-old female spaniel died after being infected with the Aujeszky’s disease virus, transmitted by a wild boar wounded during a hunting expedition. This is the first fatal case of pseudorabies identified in Moselle. Aujeszky’s disease, which infects pigs, can also infect domestic carnivores. Known as pseudorabies in dogs, it causes an infectious encephalomyelitis that is almost always fatal . The clinical picture (behavioral changes, intense itching, paralysis) is very similar to that of rabies, which must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Hunting dogs are particularly at risk, although cases of infection remain rare. The herpesvirus in question has now claimed its first victim in Moselle. An 18-month-old Münster Spaniel died last December after becoming infected during a hunting trip. The laboratory responsible for biological testing has only just released the confirmed diagnosis. Following cases in Meuse and Meurthe-et-Moselle, this is the first fatal case of pseudorabies in Moselle. Another dog, which exhibited similar symptoms, was euthanized in the same area. The investigation is still ongoing to determine whether that animal also had pseudorabies.