Acute infection with canine adenovirus was studied in 23 specific pathogen-free outbred beagle puppies (median age = 78 days, range = 67 to 86 days) to determine its effects on pulmonary function and airway responsiveness to aerosolized histamine. The following groups were studied: uninoculated (n = 6, Control); inoculated with canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2) (n = 11, Infected); and subclinical spontaneous infection with CAV2 (n = 6, Subclinical). While anesthetized with chloralose and mechanically ventilated, lung function and responsiveness to aerosolized histamine were measured 3 days before inoculation (Day -3), the day of inoculation (Day 0), and 3 to 4 (Day 3-4), 6 (Day 6), 8 to 10 (Day 8-10), and 12 to 14 (Day 12-14) days after inoculation. Histamine responsiveness was assessed by calculating the provocation concentration of histamine diphosphate to increase lung resistance (RL) to 150% (PC 150% RL), or decrease dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) to 75% (PC 75% Cdyn) of the response to saline [RL(sal) and Cdyn(sal), respectively]. Arterial blood gases, functional residual capacity (FRC), specific static lung compliance (spCst), RL, Cdyn, and histamine responsiveness were not significantly different on Day 0 among the groups (p greater than 0.05). Control and Subclinical puppies remained healthy, had a mean weight gain of 0.7 kg, and did not change their histamine responsiveness during the study period. Infected puppies developed moderate to severe clinical illnesses, had poor weight gain, and were histamine hyperresponsive on Days 3-4 and 6. One infected puppy died on Day 3-4, and two died on Day 6 of their illness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)