Canine Parvovirus and Your Standard Poodle

Canine parvovirus is a very serious and highly contagious disease that attacks the lining of a dog’s digestive system, or the heart muscles of dogs who are younger than eight weeks. Young puppies are particularly susceptible to the virus as their immune systems aren’t mature enough or able to fight off the infection.

Parvo is perhaps the most common of all viral illnesses to afflict dogs, and most veterinarians recommend that all puppies begin receiving their vaccinations when they are as young as six weeks old.

Causes

For reasons that aren’t yet known, there are a few types of dogs that seem to be more susceptible to contracting Parvo than others, including black and tan breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers. But it’s important to remember that all breeds of dogs may be at risk if they are not properly immunized.

The virus is spread from one dog to another by direct transmission through contact with infected fecal matter. Since the virus is resistant to extreme temperature changes, it may also live in the environment for as long as six months after it is found in the stool.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms of Parvo depending on whether or not it is the cardiac or the intestinal form of the virus. The clinical signs of the virus include a loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, depression, lethargy, and foul smelling diarrhea that is often bloody. Dehydration is quick, and in severe cases or if the dog goes without treatment, it will cause them to go into shock, and then eventually death.

The cardiac form of the virus in puppies less than 8 weeks age cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Crying, whimpering
• Trouble breathing, gasping for air
• Refusing to nurse
• Depression, lethargy
• Sudden death

The intestinal form may affect dogs of any age, but is considerably more severe in puppies, and includes symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit
• Low white blood cell count

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the canine parvovirus, and there is generally a 50% chance of survival after being infected. Receiving medical treatment immediately during the first few days are critical in terms of recovery, and most dogs will need to be hospitalized anywhere from two to four days, or in some cases, as long as a week or more.

The goal of treatment is basically to prevent a secondary infection from occurring and to treat symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Fluid therapy is essential to prevent dehydration, and laboratory tests will be needed to see if your dog’s white blood cell count is within the normal range.

If death occurs due to the virus it is either because of dehydration, a secondary bacterial infection, hemorrhaging, or heart attack.

How to Prevent Canine Parvovirus

The absolute best way to protect your dog from canine parvovirus is to have them vaccinated when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. When puppies are immunized, the vaccination for parvo is usually included along with the one for distemper, protecting the dog from several serious illnesses at once.

After having a young puppy vaccinated, keep them away from any areas where other dogs may have been such as parks or pet stores, and only allow them around dogs that you know are up to date on their own vaccines.

If your pet has already become infected with the virus, it’s important to take the following precautions to prevent the disease from spreading to other dogs.

• Any infected dog should be kept isolated from all other dogs for at least four weeks after their recovery.
• Be sure to keep your yard clean, cleaning up the dog’s stools as soon as possible.
• Feed your dog a bland diet until they’ve completely recovered, reintroducing their regular food slowly and gradually.
• It’s important to keep all of the dog’s bedding and any areas they’ve come in contact with clean. Using a solution of bleach and water (four ounces of water to every gallon of bleach), wash all of your dog’s bedding in very hot water. The same solution may be used to keep their crate, dog house, linoleum floors, or wherever they usually are clean and disinfected.
• If there are any other dogs under the age of two who have never received the canine parvovirus vaccine, contact your vet as they should be given a booster shot right away.

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