Unfortunately
this time of year with all the new puppies being purchased as new Christmas
Gifts, those of us who work at the Veterinarian Clinics start seeing them come
in to the clinics with Parvo Virus.
What is Parvo Virus?
Parvo is a
highly contagious viral disease most commonly seen in puppies under the age of
one. Most commonly seen in puppies between the ages of 6-16 weeks and typically
before they can complete their puppy vaccination series. The virus is spread
through the feces of an infected dog. The housefly is also a common carrier.
The fly lands in the yard of a dog that already has Parvo, lands on the feces
and carries the virus on its body in to your yard. It can be that easy. If the
fly lands on your pet’s paws or nose or anywhere else on his body or his
belonging, i.e., food and water bowls, blankets, etc. It can contract the disease within seconds. The
virus can be carried in on clothes, shoes and even your hair once you’ve come
in contact with it.
There are
three common manifestations that we see.
1.
Asymptomatic,
meaning we do not see any signs. This usually occurs in vaccinated dogs or dogs
over a year old.
2.
Intestinal.
Known as Enteritis. This virus causes extreme damage to the intestinal tract.
It can cause sloughing of the cells that line the intestinal tract leaving your
pet wide open to a secondary bacterial infection. Characterized by lethargy, diarrhea, (often
dark and bloody), vomiting, (often severe), fever, low white blood cell count and lack of appetite. Onset of the virus
can be quick. Your puppy can be playing happy one day and severely sick the
next day. Often the onset is 12 hours or less. Incubation time from exposure to
clinical signs is typically 3-10 days. This means that if your puppy was
exposed to Parvo 3 days ago, you may not know that he is sick until up to a
week.
Many people
purchase puppies that appear healthy and happy and then are completely
devastated 7-10 days later to see that healthy puppy become severely sick so
suddenly.
Parvo Virus
is diagnosed by your Veterinarian’s physical exam, signalment (age, breed and
vaccine status) and a Parvo Test that can be run in your Veterinarian’s office.
3.
The
last manifestation we see is Cardiac.
This form is the least seen, largely in part to widespread vaccination. The
Cardiac form causes severe inflammation of the heart muscle. It can cause
difficult breathing and sudden death. Additional diagnostics to treat Parvo can
be Blood work and Radiographs to rule out other causes of diarrhea and to see how
low the puppy’s white blood cell count is.
IS THERE A CURE FOR PARVO VIRUS?
The answer
is NO. The preventative measures that you can take are to make sure your puppy
receives a complete vaccination series. Puppies can receive their first vaccines
between 6-8 weeks of age. They need to continue their vaccine “boosters” every
3 weeks until they are 16-18 weeks of age.
It is
important to make sure that your puppy receives it’s vaccines from a licensed
Veterinarian. Many people purchase vaccines “over the counter” and
unfortunately these are the puppies that we often see back with Parvo. Mostly
this happens because of incorrect administration by the owner, lack of proper
temperature control of the vaccine. (Owner brings it home and leaves it on the
counter where it reaches room temperature) and overall poor quality control.
If you plan
on adopting or purchasing a new puppy, please plan on the first few months
being the most expensive. If you do not factor in the Veterinary expenses, your
puppy will not be the only one who suffers. Your family will.
WHY THE SUFFER THE HEARTBREAK?
I have
witnessed many heartbreaking situations with families who obtain their first
puppy but do not take the preventative measures by completing the puppy
vaccination series or abiding by “new puppy laws” and taking measures to
prevent them from being in situations where they can potentially be exposed to
infectious diseases. Most often this is simply lack of education in owning a
new puppy, not neglect.
Exposure to
infectious diseases like Parvo can happen by taking your puppy out to places
where multiple dogs congregate and not knowing the other dogs’ vaccine
histories. Puppy stores, dog parks, sports complexes, are just a few examples
where dogs are found with owners.
I have seen
people who spend extensive amounts of money in buying dog crates, fancy beds,
outdoor kennel runs, leashes, harnesses, etc. only to lose their puppies in a
matter of days, to Parvo, because they did not know that they needed to do more
than one puppy vaccine.
Common
things we hear from people in the Veterinary Clinic are:
1.
I
only thought he needed one vaccine.
2.
I
did not know there was a “puppy vaccine series”
3.
The
Breeder or Pet Store, told us he was done with his vaccines (often a simple
misunderstanding)
4.
I
just thought the Veterinarian wanted my money
This is heartbreaking
to those of us in the Veterinary Clinic. We see between 5-15 cases each season
and often more. Most of these cases can be prevented by vaccines and additional
preventative measures. It is those of us in the Veterinary Clinic who watches
the family and the puppy suffer and often times it is us who has to euthanize
the puppy because of the high expense of Supportive Care.
SUPPORTIVE CARE
There is no
Cure. There is only Supportive Care. Supportive Care involves Re-Hydration and
Antibiotic Therapy. Replacing fluid loss through the vomiting and diarrhea.
This is the single most important treatment. Intravenous administration of a
balanced Electrolyte Solution is preferred but in less severe cases, Subcutaneous
Fluids Administration or Oral fluid Administration can be used. In extremely
severe cases, blood transfusions may be needed. Antibiotics are used to control
or prevent secondary bacterial infections. The Mortality of severe infections is
high and home care without the help of professional Veterinary Care, can be
very difficult.
Parvo Virus
Supportive Care can be expensive. Often it can cost the client between
$200-$500 dollars a day for several days to a week.
Parvo
Viruses are highly resistant. A 1:32 dilution of household bleach (1/2 cup
bleach to a gallon of water) can inactivate the Virus. The bleach needs to have
adequate exposure time and proper concentration to work effectively. Often
objects are left to stand after being sprayed with the solution for a minimum
of 15 minutes.
Vaccinating
is the BEST Preventative and much less expensive in the long run!
Please stay
current on your pet’s vaccinations. Complete your puppy series until your pet
reaches the age of at least 16 weeks and sometimes up to 18 weeks depending on
when they received their first one. Vaccinate your Adult dog annually until
your Veterinarian tells you otherwise.
Educate
yourself about what it will take to implement a new puppy into your family! Have
fun with your new furry family member, but please make smart, educated
decisions when it comes to his health!
You and your kids
will be thankful!
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