Over the past two months, the doctors at our clinic have diagnosed almost one dog per week with Canine Parvovirus. Unfortunately, this statistic is likely to grow even higher over the course of the summer. Parvovirus is a year-round concern in our climate but does seem to be more prominent in the warm weather months of spring and summer.
I find there are so many pet owners who are unfamiliar with this life-threatening virus. I have to believe that if everyone knew about parvovirus in dogs, we would see these numbers go down dramatically!
Parvovirus is a large umbrella of virus strains, and each variant of parvovirus is fairly specific for the species it infects. Canine Parvovirus is a threat to almost all members of the canine family, including dogs, wolves, foxes, etc. The main source of the virus is the feces of infected animals. Once deposited, virus particles can survive in the environment for a very long time and are considered to be present in most every environment to some degree. Most dogs have been/will be exposed to parvovirus.
If a puppy or adult dog is exposed to parvo without immunity to the virus, more than likely they will go on to develop symptoms of active disease. We diagnose parvo far more often in puppies, but two of our last six cases were in adult dogs over a year of age. From the time of exposure, the virus will incubate for up to two weeks before causing outward symptoms in our dogs. Beginning symptoms include lethargy, reduced appetite, and possibly vomiting. These symptoms quickly progress to vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss through the GI tract, dehydration, fever, and can result in death. In order for treatment to be successful, it is important to diagnose and begin treatment within the first 24 hours, or as soon as possible.
Parvovirus in a dog's body invades the intestinal tract, bone marrow, and lymph system. The result is a greatly compromised immune system that is susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Bacterial infection and dehydration are the main threats while a dog is fighting parvovirus. Because of this, we place parvo patients in an isolation ward, separated from other animals, and wear gloves and gowns when treating them. This limits their exposure to other forms of infection. Our treatment goals are protection against secondary infections and hydrating our patient. The most effective means of providing the level of care needed is Intravenous (IV) medication and fluids. We also provide medication for nausea, diarrhea, and pain. Patients are fighting parvovirus for an average of five to seven days. Statistics for successful treatment have substantially improved over the years, and are now upward of an 80% or success rate with intensive treatment protocols.
After recovering from the symptoms of parvovirus, dogs can still be considered a contagious source of infection for up to one month. Again, the environment in which the dog was housed when infected and shedding the virus can remain a danger to unvaccinated dogs for a long time. It is best not to introduce new puppies to the environment until they have been fully vaccinated.
The main point I want to get across in this article is that Canine Parvovirus is preventable! Proper vaccinations given by a veterinarian can greatly limit a puppy's or dog's chances of contracting parvovirus. The vaccine for parvovirus is very effective. It is important to note that because a puppy's immune system is accepting of vaccines and able to produce immunity at varying ages, they cannot be considered fully protected unless a series of booster vaccines are administered up until 16-20 weeks of age. If the dog is exposed to parvovirus before completing the entire vaccine series, they are susceptible to illness.
If you are introducing a new puppy to your home, or if you have a dog that is not current on vaccinations, please make it a point to schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a proper vaccination series. The vaccine manufacturers will guarantee vaccination protection when given by a veterinarian with the recommended dosing schedule. Veterinarians want to prevent disease! We want your pets to be healthy. Please follow your veterinarian's guidelines for complete vaccination.