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Parvo
Also Known As Parvovirus
What Happens If Your Pet Contracts Dog Parvo
Parvo is a serious viral
disease mainly affecting dogs, although humans have been
infected with a version of the virus known as B19.
Parvovirus is an aggressive virus, which grows rapidly
within dividing cells, and is found more often in puppies,
though it does affect adult dogs as well. The largest
concentration of rapidly dividing cells is contained in the
intestinal lining and for this reason the parvovirus attacks
this region of the animal’s body. As a result, the dog
suffers diarrhea, which is often bloody, and white blood
cells become suppressed and return a low count. Parvovirus
can ultimately infect the heart muscle and cause sudden
death in puppies that are very young.
Dog Parvovirus Symptoms
When it comes to parvovirus there are a
number of symptoms to look out for. The disease makes it
impossible for the dog to absorb liquids and nutrients and
as a result, the dog will suffer from diarrhea and may also
experience lethargy and vomiting. There is a loss of
appetite. Most dogs stop eating and have particularly foul
smelling and bloody, liquid stool.
In its early stages, dogs with parvo often have a high
fever, loss of appetite, and depression. The other symptoms,
such as diarrhea and vomiting, occur as a result of the
severe distress on the gastrointestinal system. Shock,
dehydration, and death are the next stage. Sadly, the attack
on the dog’s heart and subsequent congestive heart failure
can occur months or years after the dog seems to have
recovered from the virus. In addition, puppies who survive
the disease often remain with poor health their entire
lives.
Parvovirus is difficult to vaccinate against in puppies.
This is because the natural antibodies the puppy receives
from its mother can interfere with a vaccination. Therefore,
most vets recommend vaccinating against parvovirus after the
puppy reaches 6 weeks of age. From this point on, it should
be vaccinated every three to four weeks until it is 16 or 20
weeks old. Although there is reason to believe the vaccine
provides lifelong immunity once it does take hold in the
animal’s body, most vets recommend getting a vaccination
every year.
Adult dogs can be carriers of parvovirus without showing any
symptoms of the disease. In addition, some dogs with
parvovirus shed the virus when they excrete diarrhea. This
virus can remain in the environment for nine months or
longer, making it easy for other dogs who enter the area to
catch the virus because it is highly contagious to dogs that
have not been vaccinated. In addition, most disinfectants do
not kill the virus.
When a dog does get exposed to parvovirus, it usually takes
anywhere from seven to ten days for it to begin showing
symptoms of the illness. Parvovirus is not an airborne
virus, but a dog can easily contract it if it steps in the
fecal matter excreted by an infected dog. Since parvovirus
is so hardy, it can easily be brought into your home and
infect your dog by being stuck to your shoes or even your
car tires. Since it can live for such a long time outside of
the dog’s body and is capable of withstanding wide
temperature fluctuations, the only way to really get rid of
the virus is to clean the affected area with chlorine bleach
and water mixture of one ounce bleach to one quart water.
If your dog contracts parvovirus, it will require intense
treatment. Otherwise, it will die as the result of
dehydration. Usually, the treatment includes the use of an
IV or subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics. Like all viruses,
parvovirus cannot actually be cured. All the veterinarian
can do is treat the symptoms and wait for the virus to run
its course. The main objective is to keep the dog hydrated
and to prevent the loss of proteins. In addition, the vet
will work to control the dog’s body temperature and will
monitor its electrolyte levels. In many cases, it is
necessary to give the dog a blood transfusion. Dogs who have
suffered from parvovirus can get the illness again at a
later time.
The sad fact is that some puppies infected with parvovirus
will still die from the illness, even if they do receive
prompt treatment. Most figures, however, estimate that
approximately 80% of puppies infected with the disease do
ultimately survive if provided treatment. On the other hand,
approximately 80% will die if they do not receive the proper
care.
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