Parvovirus In the late 1970s, a previously unknown rapid-onset, deadly virus
began attacking canine digestive systems with great fury, often killing
puppies in 48 hours. Spread through contact with infected
feces, the long-lived virus attacked rapidly reproducing cells such as
those
lining the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, lymph nodes,
and heart. Researchers identified the disease as a canine parvovirus, CPV-2,
perhaps a mutation of feline panleukopenia or a parvovirus
that affects wildlife. CPV-2 also infects coyotes and other canids. Canine
parvovirus survives in the environment for five months or more
and clings to shoes, floors, beds, and other surfaces where it can infect
the next unprotected puppy to enter the house. It is resistant
to most household cleansers but can be killed by bleach. Parvovirus can
decimate a litter, a kennel, a shelter, a pet store once it
gets hold. Kennels that experience the disease often close their doors
until they
bleach every surface, towel, and dog bed.
Parvovirus symptoms and treatment
Parvovirus incubates for seven to 14 days. Initial signs of illness
are lethargy, loss of appetite, and vomiting, followed within 24 hours
by
high fever (up to 106 degrees) and profuse, often bloody
diarrhea. The dog's abdomen is tucked up and he appears to be in extreme
pain. Some puppies show only the first stage of depression and
abdominal pain, then go into shock and die. Parvovirus can also attack
the rapidly-growing myocardial (muscle) cells of the heart in
puppies born to a bitch who is not vaccinated against the disease. Those
puppies that survive this form of the disease often have heart
problems and die young. There are several available tests to determine
if
parvovirus is the disease-causing agent, but treatment
with fluids and antibiotics should commence while waiting for the test
results.
Puppies with bloody diarrhea are in danger from loss of fluids
and electrolytes; they must be rehydrated and given antibiotics to prevent
secondary infections such as pneumonia and septicemia.
Food and water should be withheld until the puppy's system begins
to overcome the disease. Small amounts of a bland diet of cottage
cheese and rice or a prescription diet can be offered once the diarrhea
and vomiting have subsided.
Parvovirus Prevention
As with distemper, parvovirus is best prevented by vaccination.
However, because there can be a gap between the gradual decline in
residual immunity from mother's milk and the pup's ability
to respond to the vaccination, some vaccinated puppies may still get the
disease. Therefore, cleanliness of the kennel facilities is imperative,
especially in kennels with lots of litters and shelters or pet stores that
constantly receive new dogs. Kennel runs and puppy cages should
be cleaned of organic matter and then bleached before new animals
are brought in. Adjacent runs should be bleached
if they are contaminated by flowing water during the hosing. Although it
is not as
serious in adults as in puppies, parvovirus can attack adult
dogs. Therefore booster vaccinations are also recommended, although they
may not be necessary every year for pet dogs not exposed to unvaccinated
animals or their feces.
NOTE:
!!!We have never had a case of Parvo on the yard. Keep your dogs
vaccinated, keep new dogs isolated until you make sure they are free
of diseases, keep your yard and kennels sanitized with bleach and keep
people off your yard!!
