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.