| Parvovirus is a viral disease of dogs. It affects puppies much more frequently than it affects adults dogs. The virus likes to grow in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy’s body. The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea ( often bloody ) depression and suppression of white blood cells, which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells. In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to ( Sudden death ) PARVOVIRUS VACCINATION Parvovirus is probably the most common viral illness of dogs at the present time. It is much more common in puppies than it is in adult dogs. It can be very hard to successfully vaccinate a puppy for this disease because the antibody protection the puppy acquires from its mother can interfere with the vaccination. Many vets recommend vaccinating puppies every three to four weeks for this virus starting at 6 weeks of age and continuing until they are at least 16 weeks of age and preferably 20 weeks of age. It is possible that this vaccine confers lifelong immunity once it does work but most veterinarians continue to recommend yearly vaccination for it. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PARVO ? Parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs & puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids. Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an ( immature ) immune system. When dogs & puppies contract parvo, they often have diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy, they stop eating and develop a bloodly, foul smelling, liquid stool. Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, depression and loss of appetite, secondary symptoms appears as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases dehydration, shock and death follow. HOW IS PARVO TRANSMITTED ? Canine parvovirus is carried by people’s hands & shoes and other pets.. Generally it takes 7-10 days from the time of exposure for dogs & puppies to start showing symptoms of the disease. Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs, and the virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal material for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however ( Chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works, just make sure you keep the chlorine bleach away from you dog or puppie, it can make your dog sick or kill them plus it will burn there eyes, Any area that is thought to be contaminted with parvo should be thoroughly washed with chlorine bleach, diluted 1 ounce per quart of water, if you think you may have come in contact with parvovirus, a strong solution of bleach & water does kill the virus, so you can wash your shoes & clothes even your hands with it. to reduce the risk of infection of your dog. Parvo is not transmitted to humans or other pets of a different species, such as cats. HOW IS PARVO TREATED ? Without intense treatment the victims of parvo die of dehydration. treatment generally consists of IV or Sub-Cutaneous fluids & antibiotics. Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms palliatively, and try to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins. There is no cure for any virus, treatment for parvo is mostly that of supporting the different systems in the body during the course of the disease. This includes giving fluids, regulating electrolyte levels, controlling body temperature & giving blood transfusions when necessary. WILL MY DOG DIE IF HE GETS PARVO ? If your dog becomes infected with parvovirus he has about a 50-50 chance of survival, if he make it through the first three to four days, he will usually make a rapid recovery. It must be ( Stressed ) that this is not a bad case of dog flu, without medical treatment most puppies die. HOW DO I PREVENT MY PUP FROM GETTING PARVO. The surest way to avoid parvo infection in your dog or pup is to adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule which begins when puppies are 6-8 weeks of age, Puppies should not be allowed to socialize with other dogs or frequent area where other dogs have been, ask other family member to wash there hands before they play with pup, remove all shoes and leave at the door, keep your children away from other peoples pets, keep your pup away from pets, even your own, until 2 weeks after your pup has had its ( LAST VACCINATION ) Your puppie will need Three Vacciantion every 3 to 4 weeks apart. Immunization for parvo is usually included in your dog’s distemper vaccine, this shot gives protection against several potentially fatal canine diseases all at the same time. Clean up all the dog’s stools in your yard. |
MGM DACHSHUNDS
