This is my service announcement for the week because we’ve had an upswing of canine parvovirus in the clinic recently. This is just the plain old, run of the mill, warning about parvovirus, so go clean some kennels people! Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly, hence the increase in parvo cases at the clinic, because if you get one parvo case, you can count on a few more that week. Usually parvo is contracted by unvaccinated dogs, so it can sometimes be an irritation to veterinarians when we see a dog that was perfectly fit, happy, and healthy come in with such a preventable illness, but sometimes, in rare cases, dogs can catch parvovirus even if they are vaccinated, most likely toward the end of a vaccination’s rotation or in a dog with a poor immune system. Also, puppies are susceptible to parvovirus in a gap stage in their development. They may not have started their vaccinations yet, or their boosters may not be complete, which could cause gaps in their vaccinations, especially when their natural immunities subside. Parvo is a tricky one to get rid of because it’s hard to physically remove from spaces in which a dog frequents. It’s not as if you can take a gallon of bleach to the yard or your local park. Parvovirus can survive for a long time, even through hot and cold temperatures, so it’s important to isolate your dog in a disinfected location after it’s been treated for parvo to give the virus time to die out naturally around your yard. Parvo is easily passed from one pet to another because it is present in feces, which ends up on the ground, which ends up on their feet, so it travels with them. Who would have thought that your back yard would be a dangerous spot for them? If your dog has been sick, it might be a good idea to quarantine the area for awhile until your pet is fully recovered and the vaccination has kicked in. Also, you probably shouldn’t take your dog that is just getting over parvo or take young puppies to any place where pets gather, like your local dog park or groomer, until they’ve built up their immunities or received their vaccinations. Dogs that are infected with parvo can shed the virus in their feces for up to 30 days after their symptoms resolve. Also, many pet related businesses require you to sign a form saying your pet has had their vaccinations. Don’t get annoyed by the extra paperwork! They are diligently keeping their business safe and clean for your pet, especially because parvo spreads so easily. Watch for signs of canine parvovirus in your dog. These are some of the symptoms:
Because of the vomiting and severe diarrhea, your dog could become dehydrated, which in turn damages the intestines and immune system, making it even harder to treat, and this breakdown in the immune system could lead to septic shock. If you recognize these signs in your dog, call a veterinarian immediately because severe dehydration is the most common reason that dogs with parvovirus die, and it can happen in as short of a time as 48 to 72 hours. Instead of being able to kill the virus, since there isn’t a specific drug to do that for parvovirus, veterinarians have to complete support treatments to build the immune system to fight the virus. Dogs will often need electrolytes and intravenous fluids to fight dehydration, and veterinarians will also use treatments to stop the vomiting and diarrhea causing dehydration. If diagnosed and treated early, survival rates are close to 90%, but that depends on the quick action of a pet owner, so make sure you are aware of the signs and symptoms. You know your pet the best, so you’ll know when something isn’t right. Monitor them closely, especially now, because as I’ve said before, canine parvovirus comes in waves. Also, hospitalizing a dog and treating for parvovirus can be quite expensive as they usually have to be hospitalized for several days. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so be sure to get your puppies vaccinated starting at six weeks of age. It’s best to bring your pup into the veterinarian for their vaccinations as a wellness exam and appropriate preventatives can be started at that time. You can also discuss other health issues like nutrition with your veterinarian at that time. However, if you’re really strapped for cash, most veterinarians will sell the distemper-parvo-hepatitis-parainfluenza vaccine over-the-counter, which is relatively inexpensive. If you’re going to purchase the vaccine yourself, I would do it from a veterinarian instead of a feed store to ensure the quality of the vaccine and that it’s stored correctly.
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Jessica Stroupe, DVM
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August 2017
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