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Canine ParvovirusCanine Parvovirus, just the name can strike fear into the heart of any new puppy owner. This dreaded disease pounces quickly, and can kill a young puppy within 24 hours.
Parvo is one of the deadliest and most contagious viruses that puppies can be exposed to, and it's frighteningly common. If you've ever had experience of this disease you will forever remember it's ruthlessness and the speed with which it can kill. However, the good news is that it is also, in most cases, a very preventable illness. A full set of three vaccinations, starting at 7 weeks of age and given at 3 week intervals, will give your puppy immunity to canine parvovirus. It's important to realize though, that one or two sets doesn't give the same level of protection. A puppy can't really be considered 'safe' until the full set of shots have been given. There are also some breeds, notably Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Pitbulls (and other bully-type breeds), that seem to have a genetic predisposition to this disease, and even when fully vaccinated they don't always have the level of protection that most breeds attain. If you own one of these breeds, take extra precautions to avoid the possibility of catching parvo, and give your puppy a fourth canine parvovirus vaccination at around 16 weeks of age. Transmission of Canine ParvovirusParvo is transmitted through contact with the feces of an infected/sick dog. It's HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.There are more than one strain of Parvo, and each one can affect a pup differently. There is a strain that targets the heart and can result in very sudden death. Also, recently scientists and researchers have discovered a new strain of parvo here in the USA, which affects both vaccinated, adult dogs as well as puppies. This is very unusual, as up until now canine parvovirus has been mainly limited to unvaccinated puppies. Current vaccines for Parvo do not provide protection against this new strain, but luckily so far it's fairly rare, and researchers are working on new vaccines to target it.
Symptoms of Canine ParvovirusA puppy who catches parvo can get very sick, very fast and it's vital to know the symptoms and seek emergency veterinary attention if your puppy shows any signs of this disease. Major symptoms include :
Treatment of Canine ParvovirusThe main treatment for canine parvovirus is hospitalization, rest and intravenous fluids to combat the severe dehydration that result from the constant diarrhea and vomiting. This is called 'supportive care' and is all that can be done for a puppy with parvo. The earlier a pup is correctly diagnosed, and the quicker he receives treatment, the better his chances of survival. That's why it's absolutely vital to get your puppy to a veterinarian immediately if you are at all concerned that he may have caught parvo. Even if it means a 40 minute drive to the 24 hour emergency pet hospital, it could mean the difference between life and death for your pup. However, individual puppies can react quite differently to this disease, and although early diagnosis and treatment is highly beneficial, it's not a guarantee of recovery. Some puppies can get very, very sick for a fairly long period of time, but eventually recover. Others can get sick extremely quickly, and die just as quickly. Still others can get sick, appear to be improving and then die unexpectedly. Canine parvovirus is a heartbreaking disease, and totally indiscriminate in the way it kills. The disease usually 'runs it's course' within about 10 - 14 days, and if your puppy survives this long he has a good chance of making a full recovery.
After Canine Parvovirus
Although your puppy may have survived the disease itself, he will probably look a very sorry sight when you get him home. He will most likely have lost most of his body fat, and his head and paws will look much too big for his frame. His eyes may still be dull, he'll have little appetite and be very tired. This can be quite frightening to a new puppy owner, but it's perfectly normal. He's been through a terrible ordeal and needs time to rest and recover. Give him plenty of chance to sleep and rest, that's how his body will repair itself. Don't worry too much about his appetite, offer good nutritious food and let him eat what he wants. His appetite will come back as he starts to feel better. Do make sure he gets plenty of water though, and you can even add unflavored Pedialyte to his water if he'll drink it. In spite of his initial condition, you'll be surprised how quickly your puppy will 'bounce back' if he's managed to fight off the canine parvovirus. Within a few short weeks his little body will start to fill out, his appetite and strength will return and soon he'll be his old self again. He'll also have a life-long immunity to canine parvovirus! It's important to know that the parvo virus itself is extremely hardy and can live on surfaces and in the ground indefinitely. When in the soil, it's not affected by heat, rain, cold, frost or any other climatic condition. It can literally survive for decades. Obviously, if your puppy has had Parvo and survived, he's no longer at risk from the recontamination but other unvaccinated dogs and puppies could easily catch parvo if they come in contact with the infected soil. The only thing that kills Parvovirus is chlorine bleach, and you can clean everything (floors, toys, walls, crates etc.) with a bleach/water solution. This will kill the virus. You can also spray or soak the ground outside with this solution and use it to clean any concrete/asphalt areas your puppy may have used. Prevention of Canine ParvovirusAs mentioned earlier, a full set of vaccinations are the only way to protect your puppy from this horrible disease. Don't ever take chances with your puppy's health by omitting or delaying his shots. They are literally life-savers. You can find out exactly what shots your puppy needs on our Puppy Shots page. Don't let your puppy become a statistic, protect him properly!Puppy Health
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