Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the gastrointestinal tract of puppies, dogs, and wild canids. It was first identified in 1978 and is seen worldwide. It also can damage the heart muscle in very young and unborn puppies.
Parvovirus is contagious to dogs only—not to cats or people. Any age, breed, or sex of dog could be affected by parvovirus. However, infection with parvovirus does not automatically mean illness. Several factors such as age, environment, stress, parasites, and general health status of each individual dog infected could affect the severity of the disease. The degree of illness could range from very mild to unapparent to very severe, often resulting in death. The disease is usually more severe in young dogs (less than 6 months of age), old dogs, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. The younger the dog, the greater the chance that it will not recover.
Parvovirus is resistant to extremes of temperature (i.e., it survives freezing and extreme heat) and is unharmed by detergents, alcohol, and common disinfectants. Direct transmission occurs when an infected dog comes in contact with a healthy dog. The virus is found in heavy concentration in the infected dog’s stool. Because dogs will usually sniff where another dog has eliminated, this fecal-oral transmission is the most common method of transmission. The virus particles can be easily spread by hands, shoes, clothing, or other inanimate objects (fomites)—this is an indirect source of transmission.
As many as 30 billion parvovirus particles can be shed from the intestines of an infected dog in every ounce of stool. The highest concentration of virus in the stool is seen when the infected dog is showing signs of illness. A dog can, however, be a source of infection to other dogs without it having observable signs of illness (the disease may be incubating). Transmission can occur for at least 3 weeks after a dog becomes infected with the virus. Chronic “carriers” are not known to exist as in other viral diseases. Parvovirus in the environment can infect susceptible dogs for as long as 6 months once shed in the stool.
Clinical signs include vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, depression, and bloody diarrhea with a very foul odor. Infected animals rapidly dehydrate and severe cases progress to shock and death. Early, vigorous treatment of illness caused by canine parvovirus infection can save lives.
If diagnosed early, the use of Tamiflu has been known to attack the Parvo virus and improve the condition of the dog. Talk to your veteranarian about this course of treatment.
Key points you should know about recognising and treating Parvo
Parvo symptoms (may test positive for parvo even if dog was vaccinated) and may also be diagnosed as gastroenteritis or poisoning.
Parvo IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS to other dogs, especially puppies.
Parvo may look like a poisoning because of quick onslaught of symptoms and mortality in puppies.
Parvo begins with vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea. Very deadly in puppies and weak animals. Reported deaths in puppies of under 12 hours with minor symptoms of lethargy and vomiting.
Puppies, small breeds and weak or elderly dogs are most at risk from Parvo.
Healthy adult dogs can become exposed to Parvo and not become as sick.
Rehydration with sub q fluids is working best in some, IV is working best in others.
Pick up feces around yard as this is a common source of infection for other dogs.
Change outdoor water bowls daily-bleaching and drying weekly.
Avoid contact with common dog elimination areas.
Avoid ponds, puddles and stagnant pools.
Use gloves and antibacterial cleaner to clean up after a sick dog.
Use Bleach water or antibacterial agents to wash exposed linens, clean shoes and exposed items.
Use antibacterial wipes for your dogs feet after walking him where dogs are concentrated.
