WORLD FIRST: Amdoparvovirus in Dogs Confirmed in Serbia
Scientists discover virus previously found only in wild animals – urgent notice for all dog owners
Urgent notice for all dog owners in Serbia and the region!
The Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” published a study on July 24, 2026 confirming the first documented case of natural infection in domestic dogs with a virus previously seen exclusively in wild animals – raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV).
The outbreak occurred in a Doberman breeding facility near Novi Sad, Serbia, during March and April 2026. This is the world’s first confirmed case of this virus in domestic dogs, representing a significant breakthrough in understanding disease transmission from wildlife to companion animals.
🦠 What is Amdoparvovirus?
Amdoparvoviruses belong to the Parvoviridae family and have previously been found in minks, ferrets, raccoons, foxes, skunks, and even cats. The most well-known member is Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), which causes severe inflammatory diseases in animals.
What makes amdoparvoviruses particularly concerning is their ability to cross species barriers – the so-called “spillover” effect. While they are known to infect various carnivores, domestic dogs were not previously on that list – until this discovery.
🩺 How Does the Disease Manifest?
The disease in infected dogs had a prolonged course – it was not a sudden death, but rather weeks or months of progressive decline.
⚠️ Reported Symptoms:
- 👁️ Eye inflammation and conjunctivitis with ocular and nasal discharge
- 🔵 Intermittent “blue eye” (corneal opacity)
- 📉 Progressive weight loss – dogs slowly lost kilograms
- 🐕 Poor coat quality – fur became dry and dull
- 🫁 Biochemical evidence of liver damage
- 🧠 In advanced cases – neurological signs including paraplegia (hind limb paralysis)
🔬 How Was the Virus Discovered?
Researchers first tested the dogs for common infectious diseases – parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, coronavirus, herpesvirus, influenza A, and leptospirosis. All tests were negative.
They then applied metagenomic sequencing – an advanced method that enables identification of all viruses present in a sample.
✅ Research Findings:
- 434,220 sequences generated – sufficient for precise identification
- Complete viral genome sequenced – 4,799 base pairs
- ~97% similarity to known RFAV strains
- Virus confirmed in blood, urine, kidneys, spleen, brain, lungs, testicles, lymph nodes, and throat swabs
- Healthy dogs from other breeding facilities were negative
⚠️ Why Is This Important for You and Your Dogs?
🐕 What Should You Do?
- Be vigilant, but don’t panic – this is a serious discovery, but it’s still too early for mass conclusions
- Monitor for symptoms – if you notice conjunctivitis, weight loss, “blue eye,” or neurological problems, contact your veterinarian immediately
- Inform your veterinarian – if your dog has unexplained symptoms, mention this study, as your vet may not be aware of it
- Share this information – notify other dog owners, especially those who keep dogs in larger groups or in areas where they may come into contact with wildlife
📌 Study Limitations
Like any scientific research, this study has limitations that should be kept in mind:
- Small number of dogs in the study
- Complete clinical and pathological data not available for all dogs
- Histopathological confirmation (linking virus to tissue damage) not performed
- Serological analysis (to check if dogs developed antibodies) not performed
- The paper is still a preprint – not yet peer-reviewed
📄 Sources and Authors
The study was conducted by researchers from the Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”:
- Vladimir Gajdov
- Ivan Pusic
- Sara Savic
- Gospava Lazic
- Marina Zekic
- Vladimir Polacek
- Tamas Petrovic
Acknowledgments: The authors thank state veterinary inspector Nenad Babić, professional dog trainer Miloš Simeunović, and veterinarian Nemanja Šešević from MasterVet veterinary clinic (Petrovaradin, Novi Sad) for their support during the research.
DOI: 10.20944/preprints202607.1811.v1
GenBank Accession Number: PZ348355
🐾 Conclusion
This discovery is the first documented case of amdoparvovirus spillover from wildlife to domestic dogs in the world. The study was conducted in Serbia, making it relevant to our region.
Although further research is needed to determine the exact pathogenicity, epidemiology, and geographic distribution, this discovery highlights the importance of monitoring our dogs’ health and collaborating with veterinarians.
Stay informed, stay in touch with your veterinarian, and share this information with other dog owners. 🐕🔬
Ideal Dale – Dog breeding home and poultry farm
Bokternica 43, Bačka Palanka, Serbia | 📞 +381 64 114 2497
🐕 Canine Chronicles – Ideal Dale Serbia
