PARVOVIRUS IN DOGS

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is an extremely contagious viral illness affecting puppies and unvaccinated dogs. CPV infects rapidly multiplying cellular areas throughout the body, primarily within the intestinal walls and bone marrow; thus, severely damaging the gastrointestinal system and depleting the dog’s ability to fight off infection. Cardiac parvovirus disease is uncommon today due to vaccination.

Canine parvovirus is very easy to spread among dogs by coming into contact with the virus through infected animals, via the animal’s contaminated feces, or contaminated areas where the virus was present. If left untreated, this potentially deadly disease causes severe dehydration and leads to serious complications through secondary infections. Due to widespread vaccination against canine parvovirus, this illness is now mostly preventable.

Causes

The cause of canine parvovirus is due to the canine parvovirus Type 2 (CPV-2). This virus is very hardy and can remain viable in its environment for extended periods of time. A puppy or adult dog becomes infected with CPV-2 after ingesting or inhaling the virus, which could have come into contact with them through contaminated surfaces, food dishes, toys, bedding, or stool. People unknowingly carry the virus onto their clothes or shoes and/or hands while being near an infected dog and then spreading the virus to other dogs.

Risk Factors for Parvo

Some dogs are at greater risk than others of contracting CPV. These include:

• Puppies less than six months old
• Dogs that have not received a full series of vaccinations against parvovirus
• Dogs residing in kennel settings such as dog shelters, pet boarding kennels, etc.
• Dogs whose immune systems are weak

Symptoms

Clinical signs usually appear 3 to 7 days after exposure and often worsen rapidly.

• Severe vomiting
• Profuse, often bloody diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Fever or low body temperature
• Abdominal pain
• Rapid dehydration
• Weight loss
• Collapse in severe cases

Risks and Complications

Parvovirus is considered an immediate medical concern due to its potential for rapid progression. The virus causes damage to the intestinal wall, which allows dangerous bacteria to pass into the bloodstream and potentially lead to lethal infections.

At the same time, the virus impairs the dog’s bone marrow so fewer white blood cells will be produced, which further weakens the body’s defense mechanisms against infection. Severe dehydration from both vomiting and diarrhea could result in hypotension or shock, as well as organ dysfunction with delayed treatment.

Young puppies are at higher risk because their immune systems are immature and they may not have completed vaccination. It may take many weeks for previously infected dogs to completely restore all bodily functions to pre-infection status.

Diagnosis

Veterinarians may strongly suspect parvovirus based on age, vaccination history and clinical signs. Laboratory confirmation is required for this diagnosis since a variety of diseases produce similar presentations.

The most commonly used diagnostic tool is a fecal ELISA (rapid) snap test. This diagnostic test detects parvovirus in the stool in minutes.

Blood tests are also typically run to assess white blood cell levels, degree of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Imaging techniques, including abdominal x-ray or ultrasounds, may be necessary in severe cases where there is a high suspicion for either bowel obstruction or another serious condition. Early detection significantly increases the likelihood of successfully treating the disease.

Treatment

There are no drugs that will kill the Canine Parvovirus. The focus of all treatments is to give your puppy or dog time to fight off the virus (the immune response) by giving it what it needs from the outside (supportive care).

Supportive Care

The majority of dogs that develop the illness will need to be hospitalized, particularly the majority of puppies with dehydrating conditions.

Common supportive care treatments include:

• Intravenous fluids to replace lost fluid due to dehydration
• Electrolyte replacement to replace minerals such as sodium and potassium
• Anti-nausea medication to help manage vomiting
• Pain control to reduce discomfort
• Nutritional supplementation
• Antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections

Careful monitoring is required since the condition may quickly deteriorate within the first couple of days.

Recovery

Generally speaking, if a puppy has survived the initial 72-hour period of intense treatment, their chances of recovery increase significantly. Generally speaking, appetite typically returns over a gradual period of time. Food will typically be added back into the diet slowly to allow the gut lining to recover. Recovery times can differ; however, most dogs will take an extended period of time before resuming normal daily activities (several weeks).

Prevention

Vaccination is the most successful method of preventing parvovirus. Typically, puppies should begin receiving a series of vaccinations at approximately 6-8 weeks old, followed by additional booster shots as prescribed by a veterinarian. Additionally, adult dogs should continue to maintain the current status of their routine booster shots.

Additionally, good hygiene is also vital as the virus can survive for extended periods of time in its environment. Any area that has come into contact with fecal matter from an infected animal should be disinfected utilizing products proven capable of killing parvovirus. Infected animals should also be kept separate to prevent exposure.