Canine Parvovirus in Puupies and Dogs

Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs. This disease is infectious and is spread from dog to dog contact or their feces. It is very severe in puppies that don't have their vaccinations. Parvo has two types of presentations, cardiac form and internal form. Treatment involves hospitalization and the mortality rate is 91% in untreated cases.

Cardiac Form:

Cardiac form of the virus can cause respiratory and cardiovascular failure in puppies. This form is less common and affects puppies in the uterus or shortly after birth up to eight weeks. The virus attacks the heart muscles and the puppy dies suddenly or after a period of breathing difficulties. This disease may or may not show signs of the intestinal form.

Intestinal Form:

The intestinal form can cause the puppy to have severe vomiting and severe bloody diarrhea. They become infected due to oral contact with feces, soil or fomites that carry the virus. After ingestion the virus imitates the lymphoid tissue in the throat and then spreads into the bloodstream. After that, the virus rapidly multiplies and attacks cells of the lymph nodes, intestines and the bone marrow. Dogs that have the virus are at risk of having intussusceptions, which can cause part of the intestines to prolapse.

Infection in Uterus

This type infects a pregnant dog; adult dogs can develop immunity with little or no symptoms. The virus can cross to the placenta and infect the fetus, which can lead to abnormalities.

Signs and Symptoms

Dogs that have the disease develop symptoms within 5 to 10 days. Symptoms include:

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Diarrhea

• Dehydration

• odor

Due to vomiting and diarrhea, the dog or pup will become dehydrated. In later stages of the infection, the dog will develop a distinctive odor. When the white blood cell level fall, the dog will become more weakened, this can result in shock or death. The first symptom is lethargy, if your dog is lying in the corner and not wanting to play, bring them to the vet immediately.

TreatmentSurvival rate depends on how quickly the diagnosis is done, age and how aggressive the virus is. Treatment consists of IV fluids, anti-vomiting injections, to ease vomiting that can cause dehydration. Once the dog can keep the fluids down, the IV is discontinued and food is slowly introduced. Oral antibiotics are prescribed to raise the white blood cell count to fight off secondary infections. A puppy can recover within two to three days with minimal symptoms with IV fluids as soon as the symptoms have begun. If more severe, puppies will remain ill for five days to two weeks. However, there is no guarantee that the puppy will be cured or even survive.