Pampered Dog Blog

Canine Parvovirus, also commonly called CPV or parvo, is the most prevalent, infectious canine disease in the United States. It is highly contagious and often deadly, particularly because current vaccines do not protect 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.

Although CPV can occur in adult dogs, it most commonly affects puppies and young dogs, by attacking their underdeveloped immune systems. Certain breeds, including Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers are known to be particularly susceptible to canine parvovirus.

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 progresses, the dog becomes dehydrated, and may go into shock. The dog may also suffer heart failure if the virus moves into the heart. In some cases, heart failure can occur years after the initial parvo 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 no known cure for parvovirus, and the treatment is largely supportive, for example, giving the infected dog IV fluids to prevent dehydration. The vet may also administer an intravenous balanced electrolyte solution, while antibiotics are usually given to fight off secondary bacterial infection.

If the dog has severe symptoms, an antiserum may also be administered, while corticosteroids are usually given to dogs that are in shock.

One of the reasons that Parvo is so dangerous is that the virus is extremely resilient. It is transmitted through contact with the faeces of an infected dog, and can live in ground that was exposed to the faecal matter for up to as six months.

It withstands most household cleaners and commercial disinfectants, although undiluted chlorine bleach has prove to be effective in killing it.

While current vaccines do not provide protection against all strains of parvo, it is still essential for you to have your puppy vaccinated.

You should also not allow your puppy to play or otherwise interact with dogs you are not familiar with. In fact, keep your puppy confined to your premises until he has completed his course of puppy shots.

To find out more about parvovirus in dogs, dog care, information on dogs and other interesting dog advice drop in at dogsanddogtraining.com