Parvo in Dogs
Parvo in dogs is an extremely contagious disease. It is a virus infection and attacks the white blood cells in the dog. There are known to be two strains of the virus, the intestinal form and the cardiac form.
The Causes Parvo in Dogs
The Parvo virus is spread through the excrement of other infected animals. A dog need only sniff, lick or come in contact with an infected dog or its excrement to become infected. The infection spreads extremely rapidly and it is almost impossible to contain if animals have not been vaccinated. Dogs with poor immune systems are the most vulnerable. Young puppies are most susceptible up to the age of about six months. Old sickly, neglected, severely worm-ridden or run-down dogs are also vulnerable. Even if a dog recovers from Parvo, the virus can still be in his feces for up to three weeks so it can be spread to other animals. The virus is extremely hardy and difficult to get rid of. It can survive extreme temperatures and still remain in the infected soil or floor for a year. The incubation period is between 3 days and two weeks. When the symptoms begin the illness progresses extremely rapidly.
The Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs
* Loss of appetite
* High fever
* Lethargy and listlessness
* Severe foul smelling, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting
* anemia
* Signs of heart failure
* Signs of a chest infection, rapid and distressed breathing or coughing
* Death can follow very rapidly – often within a day or two usually of dehydration
The prognosis of Parvo in Dogs
If a dog suffers from a Parvo infection, there is an excellent chance that he will not recover. The figure is put at over 90%. Even if he does recover, there can be damage to organs such as the dog’s liver and heart. Your dog can be left semi-invalid for the rest of his life.
The treatment of Parvo in Dogs
* There is only one way to successfully treat Parvo in dogs, and that is prevention through vaccinating your dog regularly. All
veterinarians hold the Parvo vaccine in stock and there is a recommended vaccination schedule for all dogs. You should
find out when your dog should be vaccinated and be sure to stick to the schedule.
* If your dog gets the Parvo virus, you will have to take your dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible for intensive
treatment and intravenous fluids to even stand a fighting chance of recovery.
* It is very important that young puppies get the antibodies from their mother’s milk until they are immunized. Puppies that
are taken too early from their mothers are likely to have a less developed immune system.
* Bleach will kill the virus, so any places where your dog has defecated or vomited should be cleaned and disinfected with
bleach.
Immunization Schedule for Parvo in Dogs
Puppies need to be vaccinated at 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 – 20 weeks, and at 1 year. After that, they should have built up a sufficient immunity to keep them safe from Parvo for life.
If you own a dog, check with your veterinarian what immunizations he needs and make sure that you bring him at the correct times so that he will not be in danger of being infected with the Parvo virus or other infectious diseases. You can totally prevent Parvo in dogs if you stick to the immunization schedule.
