Canine Parov (parvovirus) is a very high contagious virus that can affect almost every dog except Vaccinated dogs. How can dogs get parvo? The risk of the parvo is high in puppies younger than 4 months and un-vaccinated dogs of any age.
How can dogs get parvo?
What is Parvo? Generally, dogs suffer from Canine parvovirus said to have parvo. The Canine parvovirus causes an infectious gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in puppies and unvaccinated dogs. Which can lead a puppy to death. The parvovirus can maintain itself and survive for long periods. The suffered dog can begin shedding the virus four-to-five days after exposure to the virus and will continue shedding during the illness upto about 1 to 2 weeks after they recovered.
The parvovirus is resistant to heat, cold, and humidity and can spread by many means. The parvo in dogs has a high mortality rate. So vaccinations against parvovirus are considered essential veterinary medicine and shield against the illness.
How Canine parvovirus causes, spread and transmitted?
The canine parvovirus causes parvo in dogs and replicates itself. The replication takes place in the small intestine of the pet, which can lead a dog to severe GI problems and some times to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart).
The Canine parvovirus can spread through:
- Direct dog-to-dog contact
- Contact with a contaminated person, object, or environment
- Virus-contaminated stool
- Food and Water
- Hair and feet of dogs
- Contaminated cages
- Sniffs or licks a surface or another dog
- Pet objects and environment factors
- Collar, lashes and gentle leader
For how much time canine parvo virus survive?
This contiguous virus can survive at room indoor temperature for at least two months and can survive for an extended period for months, and even years, if there is no direct sunlight.
The virus is considered resistant to many commonly used disinfectants and hygiene solutions.
Once a dog has contracted parvo, the virus replicates. This replication takes place in the small intestines, lymphopoietic tissue (lymph nodes, thymus, etc), and bone marrow.
This leads to severe GI problems and in rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart).
Signs and Symptoms of parvo (parvovirus) dogs:
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss & Weakness
- Frequent Shedding
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Septic shock
- Loss of appetite
- Hypothermia & Depression
- Fever
If you notice any of the signs, your puppy develops contact your veterinarian for immediate medical attention.
Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs.
Parvovirus in dogs treatment & Diagnosing :
How to treat parvo? To confirm the presence of the virus, the dog,s health history, sign and symptoms, Physical examination and specific laboratory testing like fecal testing are required.
Until now, No specific drug and treatment are available that can eliminate and kill the parvovirus virus in infected puppies.
The only treatment for parvo dogs is to strengthen the dog’s immune system, which can able the dog’s immune system to fight off the infection and kill the virus.
A Vet may prescribe certain supportive fluids, nutrition, and medications, including antibiotics which will help to prevent bacterial infections entering your puppy damaged walls of his intestines and to maintain WBC level.
Isolation of prove dogs suffering from parvovirus is necessary to stop and minimize the spread of infection.
Early recognition of the illness and immediate treatment are essential for the recovery. Keep the sick dog warm.
Immediate Treatment and care to control the dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea and to prevent secondary infections.
Stages of canine parvo virus:
| Stage 1: | Exposure to the virus |
| Stage 2: | Incubation Period 2-4 Days from 1st Exposure |
| Stage 3: | Symptoms Appearance 5-10 Days from 1st Exposure |
| Stage 4: | Diagnosing Upon Medical Evaluation |
| Stage 5: | Treatment: Hospitalization or Home Care |
| Stage 6: | Recovery period– 15-25 days |
| Stage 7: | Full Recovery and Re-Testing |
| Stage 8: | Death can occur in severe cases |
Dogs Prevention from Parvovirus:
- According to veterinarian and pet experts, Vaccination for specific virus and bacteria diseases is the shield for the prevention.
- Proper hygiene and cleaning of contaminated areas, cages, lashes and other contaminated objects are essentials to stop the spread of the parvovirus virus.
- This contiguous virus is not easily killed so that immediate treatment can prevent your dogs from further complication and possible death.
- As puppies are highly at risk to be parvo after even the first vaccination because of an immature immune system. So a series of puppy canine parvovirus is required between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier.
- For adult dogs, make sure the vaccination is up-to-date.
- Remember that: titers are available that measure the dog’s level of antibodies against the canine parvovirus.
- Follow the cautions when bringing the puppies to parks, markets and griming etc. Until the vaccination series complete series.
- Very rare dogs do not develop protective immunity even after vaccinated and remain susceptible to infection.
What Dogs Are Most at Risk for Parvo?
- Young puppies
- Pregnant dogs
- Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs
- German Shepherd Dogs,
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers,
- English Springer Spaniels,
- American Staffordshire Terriers
Most puppies that survive the first 3-to-4 days will make a complete recovery, which usually takes around one week.
Your vet will walk you through the recovery process and tailor a recovery plan best suited to your puppy’s needs.
Parvo vaccination schedule for puppies:
| Ist shoot: | Between 6-to-8 weeks |
| 2nd Shoot: | 10-to-12 weeks |
| 3rd Shoot: | 14-to-16 weeks |
FAQ:
Can a dog with parvo survive?
Canine Parov (parvovirus) is a potentially fatal disease, and the mortality rate of the virus is so high. With the proper and immediate treatment and care, the survival chances are 70% to 90%. So vaccinations against parvovirus are considered essential veterinary medicine and shield against the illness.
Can vaccinated dogs get Parvo?
Parvo vaccine is the only shield against the parvo and pet that is appropriately vaccinated indeed has a much lower to get parvo. But vaccine series cannot guarantee absolute protection. Some rare dogs get parvo even after vaccinated.
So the best idea is if your pup faces any of the above symptoms mentioned above contact your vet immediate medical attention.
How do dogs get parvo from grass?
There are many means by which canine parvovirus spread like contact with a contaminated person, object, or environment. Suppose a part virus infected dog sheet on the grass of the park, home or outside and a healthy dogs come to spot. Then It is transmitted from the grass when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus.
Can humans get parvo from dogs?
No, the parvovirus that infects human is parvovirus B19 which is completely different from the canine parvovirus. Same like dogs and pet can not be infected from the human parvovirus B19. Humans can get parvo from humans, and pet only gets from pets.
