Parvovirus in dogs

Puppies diagnosed with parvovirus (or parvo) have to fight for their lives — and in too many cases this highly contagious disease wins, especially if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Symptoms

• Severe vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody, foul smelling diarrhea
• Dehydration, often severe
• Lethargy
• Pale mucous membranes

Treatment

Pups diagnosed with parvovirus require intensive hospital therapy to maintain their hydration. This means lots of intravenous fluids. If left untreated, this disease is a killer. The virus also injures the intestine, causing it to break down and allow bacteria to enter the body. Veterinarians fight the resulting infection with antibiotics — often several kinds simultaneously. They must also take daily checks of the white blood cell count.  The virus also attacks the cells in the bone marrow and affected dogs may become anemic or have dangerously low levels of other blood cells.  Dogs with parvovirus may require blood transfusions as a part of their treatment.  Therapy is not always successful. Adult dogs who are not vaccinated or puppies that have not yet completed their series of vaccinations should not come into direct contact with an infected animal.  Parvovirus is very contagious; it can easily be picked up from the streets, especially in cities and other areas with heavy concentration of canine populations.

Prevention

You can protect your puppy from parvovirus by vaccinating him against this disease. Your veterinarian will administer a series of shots. You should bring your dog for his first when he is 6 to 8 weeks old. You'll need to bring him back every 3 to 4 weeks for another shot until he is 4 months old. To ensure that your puppy is never exposed to the virus until he is finished with his first series of shots, he must stay indoors, especially if you live in a city.

Some veterinarians recommend that certain breeds of dogs that are particularly susceptible to parvovirus (including Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, and Pit Bulls) shouldn't finish their vaccinations until they are 5 months old. From then on, consider a once-yearly booster for all breeds.

And, please take note: Parvovirus can persist in the environment for many months. If there has been an infected dog in your home, you must take precautions to prevent other dogs from picking up the infection. An infected dog's bowls and toys should be discarded or disinfected with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water.  Their bedding should be washed and bleached in hot water.