What Every Dog Owner Must Know About Parvovirus in Dogs
Canine Parvovirus (also known as Parvo, or CPV) is a deadly, highly contagious disease. CPV is currently the most common infectious canine disease in the US, and although there is a vaccine that protects against the virus, it does not offer full protection against all strains.
Dog owners should therefore arm themselves with knowledge about the disease, it's symptoms, how it is spread and most importantly, what to do if you think your dog may be infected.
CPV infects mainly puppies and younger dogs, as their immature immune systems make them an easy target. But that's not to say that adult dogs are not at risk. The disease is also more prevalent with certain breeds including, Labradors, Rottweilers and Dobermans.
The first indication that a dog may have contracted parvo will be a high fever, along with general lethargy, depression and loss of appetite. The dog may then begin vomiting and may develop diarrhea, which has a distinct yellow look and a particularly foul smell.
As the disease spreads it will cause severe dehydration and the dog may go into shock. The virus may also enter the heart, causing heart failure. It is not unknown for heart failure to occur months, even years, after the parvovirus infection.
The most common form of parvovirus is enteritis, which attacks the digestive system, specifically the lining of the stomach and intestines. This makes it impossible for the dog to absorb fluids or nutrients, and manifests in bloody diarrhea. Left untreated, it will inevitably result in the death of the dog.
Even if the dog does recover he is likely to be weak and sickly for the rest of his life.
There is currently no known cure for parvo. Veterinary treatment will mainly be concerned with stabilizing the dog's condition by delivering fluids and a balanced electrolyte solution intravenously. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to take care of secondary bacterial infections.
If the dog has severe symptoms, an antiserum may also be administered, while corticosteroids are usually given to dogs that are in shock.
One reason why CPV is so dangerous is that the virus is incredibly resilient. It is transmitted through coming into contact with the faeces of an infected animal. Even after the faeces is removed the virus can survive in the ground for up to 6 months.
It withstands most household cleaners and commercial disinfectants, although undiluted chlorine bleach has prove to be effective in killing it.
The best way to prevent parvo is to ensure that your puppy is vaccinated. The vaccine is not completely effective, but it dramatically increases a dog's resistance to the disease.
You should also be very wary of allowing your puppy to interact with dogs you are not familiar with. In fact, you should not allow your puppy off your property until he has had his full set of shots. Better to be safe than sorry.
To read more about parvovirus in dogs, dog care, dog behavior and other helpful dog information drop in at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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