Parvovirus, a serious threat to dogs

Hi everyone, and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. On this episode I am going to talk about Parvovirus, a serious threat to dogs.

What is Parvovirus (Parvo)?

What is Parvovirus or Parvo as often referred as? Wikipedia states “Canine parvovirus is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs and wolves. CPV (Canine Parvovirus) is highly contagious and is spread from dog to dog by direct contact with their feces. Vaccines can prevent this infection, but mortality can reach 91% in untreated cases. Treatment often involves veterinary hospitalization.”

PetMD also clarifies that the feces doesn’t have to actually be present. The fact that the infected feces was on a surface can still have the virus present and therefore create infection. This means, as according to PetMD, the contamination could be on the ground, in a kennel, on someone’s hands, objects or even clothing. A dog can carry the virus on their fur or paws.

The worst part is, the virus can last on surfaces for months, even years, and is resistant to many disinfectants. Apparently, diluted bleach can work.

The incubation period before symptoms appear is about 3 to 7 days. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “the virus is also resistant to heat, cold, humidity and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods.”

I remember my Dad thought it was fine to let his dog sniff the whole way on its walk. I was always against this and have been mindful of any of my dogs sniffing outside of our own environment.

As well, if a puppy or dog contracts Parvo, the treatment is actually more to supporting the dog to actually fight it off with their own immune system. (PetMD)

Parvo affects the intestinal tract and bone marrow the most. The heart muscle can also be damaged in very young puppies. (PetMD)

Which Dogs Are Most Susceptible?

All dogs and puppies in particular are susceptible to Parvo, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, certain breeds are more susceptible. Rottweilers, Dobermans, Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, and English Springer Spaniels are on the list. I have to say, I did not know that Parvo could be that specific.

Recognizing Parvo in Dogs

Early Symptoms

Okay, so what are the first symptoms that a dog will present with if they have been infected with Parvo? The earliest signs of Parvo are:
Lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, severe often bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or low body temperature (hypothermia) (www.avma.org).

I have encountered two people that have purchased a puppy that when they got it home, within 12 hours the dog was spewing bloody diarrhea. These pups were raced to emergency vet care and in both cases the pups had Parvo. One pup was purchased from a pet store, one was purchased from a so-called breeder.

I have also had conversations with some puppy purchasers who had some of the early signs showing and were in process to see the vet about the issues and it seemed that the symptoms were leading to Parvo. However, it was good that the new pet parents were heading right away to the vet, as intestinal parasites could cause vomiting, bloat and lethargy, so getting the correct diagnosis is imperative.

Diagnostic Tests

In order to diagnose Parvo, the veterinarian will need to do a fecal test. They will use the ELISA test which stands for, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This test is usually quite accurate, but if further testing is required the PCR test may be conducted. This stands for, polymerase (puh-lih-muh-rays) chain reaction. This test and blood work will confirm the presence of Parvo. The blood test can confirm a low white blood cell count, indicative of Parvo. As well, the electrolyte levels may be low. (AI Overview)

Clinical signs of a Parvo infection may not show for 4 to 5 days and within this time, the dog will shed the virus in its feces. The virus will continue to be shed while the dog is ill and for approximately 10 days after recovery. (MSD Veterinary Manual)

Treating Parvo

Initial Response and Hospitalization

When a dog has been diagnosed with Parvo, the treatment and intervention has to be fast. The dog may and most often is hospitalized so that treatments may be consistent and monitoring is intensive. This also means that the dog can be isolated from other dogs.

Supportive Care Measures

Because there is no cure for Parvo, the dog will need everything possible for supportive care to help the dog fight the virus.

• First, IV fluids will be administered. This will keep the dog hydrated and balance electrolytes.
• The dog will probably be given anti-nausea drugs to control vomiting.
• Next the dog may be given antibiotics. The antibiotics will help fight off any secondary bacterial infections. With the immune system weakened, the dog is susceptible to secondary infections.
• Pain relief may also be administered.
• It is also possible that if the dog is unable to eat or can’t keep food down, they may end up with a feeding tube.
• Plasma transfusions can help replenish blood proteins.

After this, the dog is monitored for fever, blood sugars and overall condition. Basically, the team is watching for improvement and response to the support treatments.

New Treatment Option

Now, there is a newer treatment for Parvo that involves a one-time intravenous injection. CPMA, parvovirus monoclonal antibody, can neutralize the virus and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Getting treatment as soon as possible is key with Parvo. The dog has to fight off this virus on their own, but the support is also key to survival. (AI overview) With support, the dog has an 80–90% chance of survival. If there is no treatment, the dog’s chances of survival drop to about 5%.

Prevention and Containment

Because Parvo is so highly contagious, protective gear is necessary while dealing with a dog with Parvo to ensure the virus is not being transported on clothing or hands. A human cannot contract Parvo from a dog, but it is important to not spread the virus to prevent other dogs from being infected.

Aftercare and Long-Term Recovery

Once a dog has essentially recovered from Parvo, there is aftercare. Following the veterinarian’s guidelines is very important.

• To begin with, keep the dog hydrated by offering small amounts of water frequently. Pedialyte is beneficial to replenish lost fluids and nutrients.
• For food, choose bland or easily digestible options like boiled chicken and rice.
• Monitor for signs like weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea.

The dog’s environment also needs to be cleaned and disinfected. The bleach water solution is the best option. Anything the dog may have had contact with should be disinfected or thrown out, especially if the dog vomited or soiled the item.

As you go along, the vet will be able to recommend vaccines and when it is okay to gradually socialize again.

As for long term, make sure the dog has very good nutrition and I would say supplements to keep them continuously healthy. Probiotics, gut-calming supplements, and immune system-boosting supplements would be something I would be really looking into. For example, Astragalus is an immune system booster and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Of course, check with a holistic veterinarian for herbal support.

The High Cost of Poor Puppy Sourcing

A dog or puppy with Parvo is in a bad way. Treating a dog with Parvo can easily go into the $5,000.00 range and up. This is why it is so important to be very aware of where you are getting a puppy.

In my episode called Where to get a pet (Avoiding The Pitfalls), I go over all the red flags you need to be aware of when looking at buying a puppy.

Case Study 1: Pet Store Purchase

The woman who bought the puppy from a pet store regretted every decision she made. She fell into the typical heart-before-head trap: she saw a puppy of the breed she always wanted, thought she was saving this little guy from the pet store, and paid several thousand dollars for the pup—with absolutely no credentials for its breed.

In “purchasing” this dog, she opened another cage for another puppy mill dog to come in. She got ripped off for the cost and then, within less than 24 hours, the dog presented with Parvo. The vet bill was around $6,000 and the pup nearly died.

This experience turned her into a real advocate for stopping the sale of puppies in pet stores. This eventually became bylaw in her community and she went after the pet store hard.

Case Study 2: The Rural Puppy Mill

The other person that had a dog with Parvo also fell into several big red flags. When they went to the “breeders,” the dog was in a horse trailer with other puppies. They smelled bad and were dirty. They never saw any adult dogs and weren’t invited into the home.

The puppy seemed a bit tired, but they thought it was just stress. That night, the pup cried terribly, vomited, and then the diarrhea started. By the time they got to the vet, it was bloody and obvious—it was Parvo.

These people were victims of a rural puppy mill. Pups are born in barns, advertised on Kijiji, then sent to a broker. Once buyers are found, the pups are thrown into a trailer and a false backstory is spun.

Again, more details are in my episode on Where to get a pet (Avoiding The Pitfalls). It really is a case of buyer beware.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

These scenarios really bring home the detriment that shopping for a dog can be, as opposed to adopting from a proper rescue or shelter. The “adopt don’t shop” adage is so important. Shelters are full of lovely dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and senior pets—those thrown away because they got old or a baby was coming.

There is no reason to get taken advantage of by the charlatans of the puppy mill world. I also have two episodes on puppy mills to help bring light to this underworld.

Final Thoughts

Parvovirus is a very serious illness. Most reports I hear about a dog contracting Parvo are through suspect conditions and sellers. Remember to ask your vet about prevention and be mindful of all that sniffing going on.

Do your research, be aware, be careful and be informed, because as I say, knowing is caring.

Keep your pets healthy by visiting my Pet Health Podcast Library.

Tagged as: dog health,  pet illness,  Canine Parvovirus,  canine parvo,  Parvovirus in dogs,  Parvo.