Parvovirus
The canine parvovirus (or parvo) is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. It predominantly affects the intestines and can be especially severe in puppies who haven’t been vaccinated against it BY A VETERINARIAN.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody or black looking), anorexia, lethargy, and fever.
There are a variety of risk factors that can increase a dog’s susceptibility to the disease, but mainly, the virus is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route. Heavy concentrations of the virus are found in an infected dog’s stool, so when a healthy dog sniffs an infected dog’s stool, it will contract the disease. The virus can also be brought into a dog’s environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected feces. There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year. It is resistant to most cleaning products, or even to weather changes. If you suspect that you have come into contact with feces at all, you will need to wash the affected area with household bleach, the only disinfectant known to kill the virus.
Treatment is limited as it is a virus and there is no cure. Treatment usually consists of high volumes of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and quarantine. Parvovirus often results in death of the dog.
Prevention is extremely important. To prevent your puppy from getting parvovirus, the puppy should be vaccinated every 4 weeks starting at 8 weeks old through the age of 16 weeks BY A VETERINARIAN.
Even after your dog has recovered from a parvovirus infection, it will still have a weakened immune system, and will be susceptible to other illnesses. Talk to your veterinarian about ways by which you can boost your dog’s immune system, and otherwise protect your dog from situations that may make it ill. A diet that is easily digested will be best for your dog while it is recovering.
Your dog will also continue to be a contagion risk to other dogs for at least two months after the initial recovery. You will need to isolate your dog from other dogs for a period of time, and you may want to tell neighbors who have dogs that they will need to have their own pets tested. Wash all of the objects your dog uses (e.g., dishes, crate, kennel, toys) with non-toxic cleaners. Recovery comes with long-term immunity against the parvovirus, but it is no guarantee that your pet will not be infected with the virus again.
