About Parvovirus in Dogs – Info, Symptoms & Treatment
Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that predominantly affects dogs, and tends to be most commonly found in puppies. Puppies are particularly at risk, as they may be born with a strand of parvovirus that attacks their cardiac system as well as contract the disease by contact with virus laden dog feces. This latter type is the more common form of parvovirus, which can attack the intestinal track of all dogs. This disease is so widespread in the canine community that the best option for any dog owner is to consider vaccination, especially if you plan on ever boarding your dog or taking it to a groomer.
There are different types of the Parvo Virus
Although there are different types of parvovirus, the most common type is canine parvovirus (CPV) 2, which comes in three different known strands (called a,b, and c). These strands manifest themselves with either cardiac or intestinal symptoms in dogs. The cardiac form is rare and only seen in newborn puppies infected before birth. Because many breeding dogs are vaccinated to protect against contracting CPV, the likelihood that a puppy would be born infected is minimal. Shortness of breath is the predominant symptom of cardiac CPV, and puppies may die suddenly after experiencing breathing difficulty if left untreated.
Other than being born with the disease, dogs can contract the virus through oral contact with dog feces or any contaminated materials. The virus is very resilient and can live in extreme temperatures, on objects or infected surfaces for up to five months. An infected dog may show symptoms within a few days of contraction, although many adult dogs may not show any symptoms. Common symptoms of intestinal CPV include fatigue, vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhea. The virus compromises the intestinal tracks of dogs, which in turn allows bacteria to further compromise and infect the dog. In fact, often it is the secondary infections that kill the dog and not the virus itself. The diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, which in turn may throw off the dog’s electrolyte balance. The dog may become anemic from the loss of blood and protein or become toxic. The presence of worms or other internal parasites in the virus make it even more deadly.
Treatment for CPV involves replacing the fluids lost from the vomiting and diarrhea in conjunction with providing antibiotics. It is a good idea to try and rehydrate the dog every time fluids are lost through vomiting or diarrhea. Fluid requirements will vary depending on the body weight and degree of dehydration of your dog, and proper rehydration procedures should always be followed according to your veterinarian’s recommendation. Analgesics may also be used to combat intestinal discomfort the dog may be feeling from the constant diarrhea. Treatment must also involve cleansing the surfaces tainted by the dog’s excretions. The vomit and diarrhea laden surfaces need to first be cleaned with a detergent and then bleach should be applied to kill the virus. Survival from the disease will depend on when the CPV is detected, the age of the dog and the adequacy of treatment. If you think your dog may have CPV, it is important you take it to the vet immediately to be tested.
If your dog has contracted and survived CPV then it should be immune to the virus. Certain breeds of dogs, such as Doberman Pinschers, Rottweillers, and Pit bull terriers seem to be more prone to contracting the virus than other breeds. Other factors such as a weakened immune system from concurrent bacterial or viral infections, parasites, or a stressful environment can also increase the likelihood your dog may become infected. Puppies are most susceptible because they do not have a fully functioning immune system and if infected early have a harder chance of fighting the disease without specialized care. Vaccination is the best means of preventing CPV, and different protocols exist for CPV vaccination. This is because puppies have antibodies from their mother’s milk that may block the vaccine’s effectiveness if levels are too high. There is variation as to when the antibody levels will be low enough for any given puppy to become immune to CPV from the vaccine, so it is typically given in a series of shots to ensure that one of them works on your puppy. Unfortunately, there is also a window of susceptibility where your puppy’s antibody levels are low enough for the vaccine to work but the puppy’s immune system is not strong enough to fight the virus contained in the vaccine. However, if you choose to wait until about 18 weeks of age, the likelihood that your puppy will become immunized increases to about 95%. If you are considering vaccination for your puppy or even your dog, it is always best to talk to your veterinarian about the best course of action for you to take.
