Canine Coronavirus Antigen Test Card (Colloidal Gold Method)

Target and Hazard: Canine coronavirus (CCoV, family Coronaviridae) is one of the important causes of acute enteritis in dogs. It mainly infects the small-intestinal epithelial cells and spreads by the faecal-oral route, transmitting rapidly in crowded dog populations. Affected dogs show vomiting, diarrhoea (often orange or yellow-green loose stool), reduced appetite and dehydration. Most cases are self-limiting, but puppies, older dogs and immunocompromised animals may deteriorate through severe dehydration; co-infection with canine parvovirus frequently worsens the disease. It is a common pathogen in the differential diagnosis of viral diarrhoea in dogs.

Significance of Testing: The card directly detects CCoV antigen in faeces, allowing rapid confirmation of the pathogen during the early, virus-shedding phase. It is used for aetiological screening of diarrhoea cases, differentiation from other diarrhoeal pathogens such as canine parvovirus and Giardia, and investigation of group diarrhoea in kennels and pet shops, supporting timely isolation, fluid therapy and disinfection and reducing unnecessary medication.

Principle: Colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich): CCoV antigen in the sample binds to gold-labelled antibody, migrates along the nitrocellulose membrane and is captured by the specific monoclonal antibody coated on the test line (T), producing a visible line; the control line (C) confirms reagent and procedure validity.

Performance and Applications: No instrument required; simple operation; visual reading within 10–15 minutes; samples: faeces or rectal swabs; stored and shipped at room temperature — suitable for point-of-care testing in veterinary clinics, kennels, pet shops and primary veterinary stations. Method: colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (double-antibody sandwich) | Samples: faeces, rectal swabs | Time to result: 10–15 min | Reading: visual assessment of T/C lines — a coloured T line indicates a positive result, C line is the procedural control | Format: tests/box (as stated on the label) | Storage: 2–30 °C, cool and dry; shelf life 24 months | Note: sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection, intra-/inter-assay CV and agreement with RT-PCR/virus isolation are subject to our internal QC report.