Parvo: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

 What Every Dog Owner Needs About Parvo In Dogs And How to Prevent And Treat Parvo

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Diagnosis of parvo is the last thing a dog owner wants to hear because it is deadly to dogs. Here, I will be teaching you what you need to know about parvo, its causes, symptoms, and how to control it.

What is Parvo?

Parvovirus (parvo) is a contagious viral disease that affects dogs. It is a DNA virus caused by the canine parvovirus(CPV) that belongs to the Parvoviridae family. Parvoviridae family. This disease is commonly seen in younger dogs(puppies) under six months, but it can also affect older dogs.

The virus is classified as a disease of the stomach and small intestines, as this is where the virus does the most damage. The virus attacks the small intestine, destroying the cells, impairs absorption, and disrupting the guts barrier. Parvo in younger dogs affects their bone marrow and lymphopoietic tissues, and in most cases, it damages the heart which leads to death. Here are some facts on what causes parvo in dogs, the symptoms, treatments, diagnosis, and how to prevent parvo in your dogs.

What causes Parvo?

Parvovirus is contagious and spread easily on dogs through contact with infected vomit, saliva, and feces. It can also be spread through contaminated food bowls, toys, and surroundings. This virus is resistant to heat, cold, and drying, which means it survives in a particular environment for months. Puppies are more exposed to contracting the disease because of their weak immune system. Older dogs can also be infected if they are not properly vaccinated. Dogs that have underlying health conditions such as malnutrition or a weakened immune system are at risk of contracting parvo.

What Are The Symptoms of Parvo?

The symptoms vary depending on how seriously the dog has been infected. In most cases, they tend to show no symptoms. The common symptoms of parvo include: 

Vomiting: Dogs with parvo may vomit repeatedly and often have a loss of appetite.

Diarrhea: Parvo can cause severe diarrhea, which can be bloody, foul-smelling, and persistent

Loss of Appetite: Dogs with parvo tend not to have an appetite to eat due to weakness and lack of strength.

Fever: Parvo can cause high fever, which can be an indication of a more severe infection.

Dehydration: Dogs infected with parvo can be dehydrated due to diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to weakness.

Depression: Parvo also causes depression which makes dogs lose interest in their daily activities.

If left unattended, Parvo can lead to death which is why it is important to seek the veterinarian immediately if your dog shows any symptoms.

Diagnosis of Parvo in Dogs

The diagnosis of Parvo in dogs is based on physical examination and laboratory tests. Tests are carried out on dogs to know how seriously the virus has affected the infected dog. 

How do puppies get Parvo? 

Puppies aged from 6 weeks to 6 months are prone to parvo. Puppies younger than 6 weeks retain some of their mother's antibodies, assuming that the dog received her full series of parvo vaccinations. At 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age, puppies can receive a vaccine for anti-parvo. They are vulnerable to the disease until they receive their vaccines.

How do you treat Parvo in Dogs? 

The treatment of Parvo in dogs is important for their survival and to prevent death or extra danger to them, dogs with Parvo should be taken to the veterinary and should be hospitalized for proper treatment that can last for days. They may also be placed on medication to control vomiting and diarrhea as well as receiving antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections. If need be, blood transfusion or other intensive care treatments may be carried out. Follow your vet's instructions closely and give your dog enough rest during recovery. Nutrition is a very important part of treatment. Since most dogs do not eat well on their own, they may require a temporal feeding tube that goes through their nose into the esophagus or stomach to provide nutrients. 

How do you prevent Parvo in Dogs? 

To prevent Parvo in Dogs, you should make sure they are well vaccinated against the virus. Puppies should also receive vaccinations at their sixth to eighth weeks of age and should be repeated every three to four weeks until they are up to 4 months old. Older dogs should receive regular treatments to maintain healthy immunity. After your puppies have received their complete series of vaccinations, Owners should take caution when bringing pets to areas where other dogs with unknown vaccination histories stay. It is also important to maintain good hygiene and a healthy environment to prevent the spread of Parvo. This includes proper cleaning and fumigation of contaminated areas and washing your hands after contacting an affected dog, and also isolating infected dogs from the healthy ones. Puppies should be isolated until three to four weeks after their third vaccine this is when full immunity is achieved. It is also important that fully vaccinated dogs can also be infected with Parvo. You have to be cautious of symptoms. Plasma transfusion may be needed which helps replenish the loss of clotting factors and blood proteins like albumin which is important to maintain blood pressure. Dogs with parvo need proper monitoring and should be hospitalized before it gets serious because parvovirus is contagious and hardy in its environment, proper disinfection is important.

Conclusion:

Surviving parvo is very possible, this depends on the age and how strong the dog's immune system is. Dog owners need to seek immediate attention from the vet and follow all personal hygiene for their dogs to survive parvovirus disease.

Sources:Staci Brigham, DVM