The results of in-depth analyzes have not yet returned from Paris, but there is little doubt that four hunting dogs died of Aujeszky’s disease after being in contact with a wild boar. This is the first case in Ariège.
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The same hunting trip, with the same pack and the same wild boar killed, led to the death of four dogs at the beginning of December 2024 in Ariège. In-depth analyzes are awaiting results, but for the president of the Hunting Federation of this department, there is no doubt. “The symptoms are those of Aujeszky’s disease, present in wild boars..” A first for Ariège hunters.
“The dogs bit the wild boar and therefore the four were poisoned with the same animal“, Jean-Luc Fernandez tells us. Aujeszky’s disease is completely harmless to humans, however, it can be fatal for a dog. “And as there is no medicine, the dog dies in excruciating pain. It must be pricked immediately, otherwise it is agony which is terrible.“
What are the first clinical signs in infected animals? Severe itching, excessive drooling, loss of limb coordination and progressive paralysis. The progression of the disease is rapid, and dogs usually die within 48 hours.
The death of the four dogs calls for vigilance among hunters in Ariège. Aujeszky’s disease is known. It is not resurgent, but with cases here and there as in Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne or Gers previously.
Also read: Death of 7 hunting dogs: what is Aujeszky’s disease to which these animals succumbed?
We are not in an epidemic, we are in a case, in a wild boar. We take 10,000 wild boars in Ariège and there have never been any problems until now.
Jean-Luc Fernandez, president of the Ariège Hunters’ Federation
Aujeszky’s disease is viral and considered highly contagious, affecting pigs and wild boars. France is considered free from this disease in pig farming. But the virus circulates among wild boars, 30% of which could well be contaminated, according to estimates.
There is no treatment for the disease. On the other hand, there is a vaccine, but its sale is not authorized in France, according to the head of the Ariège Hunters’ Federation. But veterinary practices can obtain temporary use authorization from the ARS. Several requests were made and thus granted in Ariège to allow dogs to be vaccinated.
The vaccine takes effect for six months, then there are boosters to be given, Jean-Luc Fernandez tells us. This can quickly prove restrictive, both for the hunters and the veterinarians involved.
Among the four veterinary practices which would offer this vaccination, there is the one located in Villeneuve-d’Olmes. “There is no specific dog vaccine for this disease, but a pig vaccine can be used in dogs with good results.“, indicates this clinic on its Facebook page.
A study launched in fall 2021 made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of this porcine vaccine on dogs. In two years, 160 wild boar hunting dogs were vaccinated and monitored. “The results of this study show that this vaccine does indeed cause the production of antibodies in dogs. However, these antibodies do not seem capable of neutralizing the virus significantly and sustainably.“, indicated the National Hunters Federation in February 2024. The study was therefore to be continued.
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