Parvovirus
Parvovirus in Puppies
Canine Parvovirus puppies Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is caused by a virus that is very similar to feline Panleukopenia (feline distemper). It has been speculated that the canine virus is a mutation of the feline virus, but has never been proven. Since it's first appearance in 1978, the CPV infection has ravaged young puppies. The virus attacks the lining of the intestinal tract resulting in severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, which then causes severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The virus also attacks the white blood cells of the puppy, rendering their immune system totally useless. The bacteria from the intestinal tract are then able to get into the blood stream and cause a septicemia. On occasion, the heart muscle is also attacked resulting in sudden death, and in some puppies that survive, heart damage and congestive heart failure can result.Treatment of the infected puppy usually require intensive care and an expensive stay at the hospital with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and medications to limit the vomiting. Tamiflu is a human anti-viral medication for the influenza virus and is being used off-label to lessen the severity and course of the disease. Some dogs, even with intensive treatment, do not make it.
The main source of the virus if from the feces of infected animals. Unlike most other viruses, CPV is stable in the environment and is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, alcohol, and many disinfectants. A diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 30 parts water) will destroy the infective virus.
The problem with CPV is that the virus is easily transmitted by the hair or feet of infected dogs and picked up by humans who then track it home and expose their new puppy to the virus. Direct contact between dogs is not required to spread the virus. It is not recommended to take puppies to areas where they can come in contact with other dogs, such as the pet store or dog park, until they have finished their vaccine series at 4 months of age. Dogs that become infected with the virus may not show clinical signs until six to ten days of the initial exposure to the virus and can shed the virus before the owners are aware that they have contracted the virus. I also do not recommend adopting or buying a puppy unless they have had at least a few sets of vaccinations and have been de-wormed. Infection by internal parasites, such as hookworms, seems to make the symptoms of the parvo disease worse. I have also had a several incidents of second hand vaccines, (those purchased from the internet or a feed store), not providing the protection for the puppies. These vaccine failures could be from improper handling of the vaccine, failure to give the vaccine properly or diluted vaccines. Puppies can also develop allergic reactions from vaccines so I do not recommend owners to vaccinate their own puppies with vaccines from these sources.
The best method of protecting your dog against CPV infection is proper vaccination. Puppies receive a parvo vaccination as part of their vaccine series starting at 6-8 weeks of age and give every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 to 22 weeks old. An additional booster is then given 6 months later. Adult dogs should get boosters annually and more often if kenneled. The new strain of parvo virus can infect adult dogs if they are not vaccinated. I still recommend vaccinating dogs on an annual basis for the core vaccines of rabies, distemper, parvo and leptospirosis. There is nothing sadder than watching a dog die from a preventable disease.
Vaccines Help Protect your Pet
New Wikipedia
Parvovirus, commonly truncated to parvo, is both a virus name and a genus of the Parvoviridae family. Parvoviruses are typically linear, non-segmented single-stranded DNA viruses, with an average genome size of 5 kbp. Parvoviruses are some of the smallest viruses found in nature (hence the name, from Latin parvus meaning small). Some have been found as small as 23 nm.
Many types of mammalian species have a strain of parvovirus associated with them. Parvoviruses tend to be specific about the taxon of animal they will infect, but this is a somewhat flexible characteristic. Thus, all strains of canine parvovirus will affect dogs, wolves, and foxes, but only some of them will infect cats.
Humans can be infected by viruses from three other genera from the family Parvoviridae, such as by Parvovirus B19, but no members of the genus Parvovirus are currently known to infect humans. This creates a confusion of terms, because the human parvoviruses are not in genus Parvovirus. These are the Dependoviruses (e.g. Adeno-Associated Virus), the Erythroviruses (e.g. Parvovirus B19) and the Bocaviruses.
Great Stuff on CafePress
puppies
Just for Dog Lover's
A store just for dogs and the people who love them.
Shop beds, bowls, leashes, crates, food, shampoo, flea supplies, specialty items, articles, pet health products and more.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreat Stuff on Amazon
New Guestbook
Guinness wrote...
Parvovirus is scary. Thanks for warning people about it. I am very concerned with getting the best dog health care I can. Wish you were in my state.
Home-healthcare wrote...
Parvovirus is a terrible disease for our precious little friends. Thanks for educating the public.
Tips on Socializing your Puppy
Socializing Your Puppy
Proper introduction of your puppy to people and other pets will help him be a better pet
Runtime: 2:17
18 views
0 Comments:
New Amazon Voting (Plexo)
Blog Posts from Google
Treaschwig Veterinary Clinic
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byDr. Debra Garrison
Dr. Garrison twittering

- debragarrison
- aka Debra Garrison DVM
- 3,091 followers
- 3,389 following
-
- Gifts for Bulldog lovers: art, magnets, leash hooks, puzzles, socks, jewelry, mouse pads, doormat, dog breed golf head, and dog frames a ...
-
- Updated my dog lovers blog with Neo 7 Hooded Sweatshirt http://bit.ly/T48VU
-
- USDA gives conditional license to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health for a canine influenza virus (CIV) vaccine. http://is.gd/1mMRU
-
- Dear Twitter friends, a puppy needs your help. "Elvis" is a Corgi puppy and has parvo virus. Please visit http://short.to/id4n for more info
-
- Updated my dog lovers blog with Blue Sky AT3 All Terrain Pet Stroller http://bit.ly/mv6iz









