Nov 22, 2024
Parvovirus is a virus that can be painful for dogs and can become fatal, especially in unvaccinated dogs and puppies.
Dogs infected with canine parvovirus can recover with prompt care. Still, preventing this disease is the best move that dog owners must prioritize.
We’ll cover the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention of canine parvovirus (CPV) to help you protect your dog from this contagious virus.
What is Parvovirus?
Canine parvovirus is a viral infection that mainly affects dogs' gastrointestinal systems. It was first identified in the 1970s and has rapidly spread among many dogs. The virus can survive without a host for long periods, so it’s highly contagious.
CPV is similar to feline panleukopenia, the virus’ counterpart for cats. These two types of viruses are species-specific, meaning that CPV can’t affect cats, and dogs can’t get infected by feline parvo.
However, canine parvovirus has multiple strains, and there have been reports that one CPV strain may occasionally affect cats.
How Do Dogs Get Parvovirus?
Parvovirus in dogs can easily spread. Only one infected dog is needed to infect an entire neighborhood of dogs since the virus is resilient and can live for months on surfaces in the environment.
How Parvovirus in Dogs is Transmitted
Transmission of parvovirus in dogs is a simple concept. It begins with a single parvo-infected dog. Here are ways dogs acquire this disease.
Infection via feces
Dogs shed parvovirus through their feces. When a dog comes in direct contact with an infected animal's excrement, it can become infected through licking or sniffing.
Environmental contamination
Parvovirus can survive on surfaces like floors and walls. They can also attach to leashes, bedding, toys, feeding bowls, and clothes. The virus thrives under extreme temperatures. Cleaning with detergents and most disinfectants doesn’t affect the virus, either, so it can be challenging to eliminate.
Direct contact with an infected animal
A dog that comes in contact with an infected animal can be a reason for the virus to spread. The risks increase when healthy and infected dogs are in enclosed areas such as pet hotels and those living in the same household.
Factors That Increase Risk of Infection
While all dogs are at risk of getting infected by parvovirus, the risks are higher in certain cases.
Unvaccinated dogs
Dogs without complete and updated vaccinations are at higher risk of getting infected by the virus.
Puppies
Puppies under five months old are the most vulnerable to CPV since their immune systems are still developing. They don’t have complete vaccinations, and they will only get complete core vaccines by the age of five months.
High-risk breeds
Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to parvovirus. These breeds include Labradors, Chihuahuas, and Golden Retrievers.
Early Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs and Puppies
When a dog or puppy contracts parvovirus, you’ll notice some symptoms within three to seven days after exposure to the virus. As a dog owner, you should know these signs to get prompt vet care for your pet when you notice them.
Lethargy
Your dog may lack the energy to do the usual activities it enjoys.
Decreased Appetite
A dog with parvo will likely not eat or drink.
Fever
There will be an increased temperature in the dog’s body.
Abdominal Pain
Since parvo attacks a dog’s GI system, it will likely experience stomach pain and discomfort.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
These symptoms are key signs that your dog or puppy has parvo. You must watch out for blood or mucus in the watery stool.
When an infected dog or puppy’s symptoms progress without medical support, your pet might show more severe symptoms. These dangerous signs may include collapsing or having difficulty breathing.
How Parvovirus in Dogs is Diagnosed
At the first sign of parvovirus, it’s important that you bring your dog to the vet immediately. At the clinic, veterinarians will diagnose your pet to confirm if it has CPV.
Parvo SNAP Test (Fecal SNAP Test)
This test is commonly used to detect parvo by using a stool sample from a dog. This method is highly accurate. However, it can still show a negative result for infected dogs even when they haven’t started shedding the virus.
Blood Test
Vets also use a blood test to determine whether a dog has parvo because infected dogs will have decreased white blood cells.
When these methods show negative results, but your dog continues to show parvo symptoms, the vet may recommend additional tests.
How Dogs Are Treated for Parvovirus
As of today, there’s still no cure for parvo. Still, veterinarians can provide treatments to support your dog’s recovery while managing symptoms until its body can fight off the virus.
Immediate Veterinary Care for Canine Parvovirus
Hospitalization and supportive care
Dogs with parvovirus are often hospitalized to receive the best care possible. Isolating them in the pet hospital will also prevent the spread of the virus to your dogs.
IV fluids and electrolyte balance
Vets will give an infected dog IV fluids to help prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by continuous vomiting and diarrhea.
Antibiotics and anti-vomiting medications
Parvovirus compromises a dog’s immune system and makes it susceptible to secondary infections. To prevent this, vets may administer antibiotics. Medications for vomiting may also be given to manage this symptom.
Intensive Care for Severe Canine Parvovirus Cases
When a dog's parvovirus infection becomes severe, sepsis or blood infection can occur. In this case, more intensive medical care is needed.
Sepsis and secondary infection treatment
Antibiotic therapy can treat sepsis in dogs. If the dog develops secondary bacterial infections, other medications can also be administered.
Nutritional support
When a dog is still unable to eat or drink, vets may use a feeding tube to make sure it receives nutrition, which is crucial in battling parvo.
Recovering from Parvovirus
Parvovirus recovery can take a few days to a couple of weeks. This will depend on how early the dog is treated and how severe its case is. Most dogs that are given early vet care often recover within 48 hours.
If the virus is not detected or treated early, the dog’s life will be in grave danger. With early detection and proper pet medical care, the chances that a dog survives parvo is around 90%.
Caring for a Canine Parvovirus Survivor
Taking care of a dog that has survived parvo requires extra attention, as it may require a bland diet with easy-to-digest food. You may need to prepare your dog’s special diet daily until it can eat its usual dog food.
Vets may also recommend monitored exercises so you can observe if there are any complications or reoccurrences of the parvo symptoms. Your vet would likely schedule a follow-up consultation to see how your dog’s condition is.
How to Prevent Parvovirus in Dogs
Preventing parvovirus in dogs is surely a better route to take than seeing your pet’s life in danger. This is why the parvovirus vaccination is one of the core vaccines every dog must have.
The first parvo vaccine shot is given to puppies at around six to eight weeks, and booster shots are scheduled and given until they reach adulthood. It’s also recommended that annual parvo booster shots be taken even when they are adult dogs to ensure they are protected.
It’s also important that you keep your dog’s living space clean and disinfected. This will lower the risk of your dog acquiring the virus from surfaces around your home.
Conclusion
Parvovirus is a serious and deadly disease that can affect even vaccinated dogs. However, vaccination lowers the risk of contracting the virus and increases the dog's chances of survival.
Don’t wait to get your dog vaccinated for parvovirus as it’s a responsibility for all dog owners. Make sure that your pet’s vaccination is always up-to-date to protect your dog and other pets in your home and community.
And at the first sign of parvo, ensure that you bring it to an emergency vet to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.