Hey there, puppy parents. Today we need to talk about a very serious and highly contagious disease that primarily affects puppies: Canine Parvovirus, or "Parvo" for short. This is a nasty virus that attacks the rapidly dividing cells of the body, causing severe gastrointestinal illness. It can be fatal if not treated, which is why vaccination is so incredibly important.
What is Parvovirus?
Canine Parvovirus is an extremely hardy and resilient virus that can survive in the environment for months or even years. It is shed in huge numbers in the feces of an infected dog. A puppy can get infected by direct contact with an infected dog or by simply sniffing or licking a contaminated surface. The virus is everywhere in the environment.
Once the virus enters the body, it targets two main areas where cells are rapidly dividing:
- •The Lining of the Intestines: The virus destroys the lining of the small intestine. This prevents the puppy from being able to absorb nutrients and fluids, and it causes severe, bloody diarrhea. The damaged gut also allows bacteria from the intestines to leak into the bloodstream, leading to sepsis.
- 1The Bone Marrow: The virus attacks the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing white blood cells. This leads to a low white blood cell count (leukopenia), which cripples the puppy's immune system and makes it very difficult for them to fight off the infection.
Puppies at Risk
Parvovirus can affect any unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dog, but it is most common and most severe in puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. Certain breeds also seem to be at a higher risk, including:
- •Rottweilers
- •Doberman Pinschers
- •Pit Bulls
- •German Shepherds
Spotting the Signs of Parvo
The signs of parvo come on quickly and are very severe.
- •Severe, Bloody Diarrhea: This is the hallmark sign. The diarrhea often has a very distinct, foul smell.
- •Vomiting.
- •Severe Lethargy and Depression: The puppy will be extremely sick and listless.
- •Loss of Appetite.
- •Fever.
- •Dehydration.
Parvovirus is a medical emergency. A puppy with these signs can die from dehydration and sepsis within 48-72 hours. They need immediate veterinary care.
How Vets Diagnose Parvo
The diagnosis is usually made based on the classic clinical signs in a young, unvaccinated puppy. The diagnosis is confirmed with a simple, in-house test called an ELISA test. It's very similar to a home pregnancy test. A fecal swab is taken, and the test can detect viral particles in the stool.
Your vet will also run bloodwork, which will often show a very low white blood cell count.
Treatment: A Battle for Survival
There is no cure for parvovirus. There is no medication that will kill the virus. The treatment is intensive supportive care to try to keep the puppy alive long enough for their own immune system to fight off the virus. This requires hospitalization, often for several days.
The cornerstones of treatment are:
- •IV Fluids: This is the most important part of treatment. Very aggressive intravenous fluids are given to combat the extreme dehydration from the vomiting and diarrhea.
- •Antibiotics: IV antibiotics are given to prevent the secondary bacterial infections and sepsis that are a major cause of death.
- •Anti-Nausea Medications: To control the vomiting.
- •Nutritional Support: Once the vomiting is controlled, it's important to provide nutrition. Some puppies may require a temporary feeding tube.
- •Plasma Transfusions: In very sick puppies, a plasma transfusion may be given to provide antibodies and proteins.
Parvo treatment is very intensive and can be very expensive. Even with aggressive treatment, the survival rate is about 80-90%. Without treatment, the survival rate is less than 10%.
Prevention: VACCINATE!
This is the most important part of this article. Parvovirus is a preventable disease. The parvo vaccine is a core vaccine, and it is extremely effective.
Puppies are protected by their mother's antibodies for the first few weeks of life. These antibodies start to wear off between 6 and 16 weeks of age. This is the "window of susceptibility" where they are vulnerable to infection.
This is why puppies need a series of vaccinations. The standard protocol is to give the vaccine every 3-4 weeks, starting at 6-8 weeks of age, until they are at least 16 weeks old.
Until your puppy has completed their full vaccine series, it is critical to protect them from potential exposure.
- •Do not take your puppy to public places where many dogs go, like dog parks, pet stores, or beaches.
- •Do socialize your puppy, but do it in a safe way. Socialize them with other healthy, fully vaccinated adult dogs in a safe environment, like your own backyard. Puppy socialization classes are also a great, safe option if they are run by a professional who requires all the puppies to be up-to-date on their vaccines.
Parvovirus is a terrible disease, but by being a responsible pet owner and following your veterinarian's vaccination recommendations, you can protect your precious puppy from this deadly threat.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •American Veterinary Medical Association - Canine Parvovirus
- 1VCA Animal Hospitals - Canine Parvovirus