Unfortunately we have had an incident of Canine Parvovirus in one of our rescues.
For that reason we want to inform you about what the source of infection is and what the symptoms are.
The short info:
This virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object.
Your puppy is exposed to the parvovirus every time he sniffs, licks, or consumes infected feces. Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches your puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like a food or water bowl, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
Parvovirus causes severe life threatening diarrhea, often bloody. If left untreated, the mortality rate can exceed 90%, with death occurring within 48 – 72 hours after the onset of symptoms.
The more in-depth info:
How Parvo Spreads to Dogs:
Veterinary experts agree that virtually all of the world’s dogs have been exposed to canine parvovirus. The virus begins to “shed,” or be excreted by a dog, three to four days following his exposure to the virus, often before clinical signs of the infection have appeared. The virus is also shed in huge amounts from infected dogs in their feces for 7-10 days; a single ounce of fecal matter from a parvo-infected dog contains 35,000,000 units of the virus, and only 1,000 are needed to cause infection.
In addition, the virus can be carried on shoes, tires, people, animals (including insects and rodents), and many mobile surfaces, including wind and water. Because it is difficult to remove from the environment and because infected dogs shed the virus in such profusion, Parvovirus can spread not only to veterinary clinic, grooming salon, and obedience school, but every street, park, house, school, shopping mall, airplane, bus, and office in the world.
While a dog that is diagnosed with Parvovirus will be quickly isolated by his veterinarian and his recent environment will be cleaned and disinfected, some infected dogs have such minor symptoms that no one realizes they are ill. Infected dogs, with or without symptoms, shed the virus for about two weeks. If conditions are right, the virus can survive for up to six months. Although Parvovirus is destroyed by sunlight, steam, diluted chlorine bleach, and other disinfectants, sterile environments can be quickly reinfected.
Parvovirus symptoms to watch for:
Here are the signs of Parvovirus, you should not ignore if you suspect your dog has been exposed. It is important to remember that most parvovirus deaths occur within 48 and 72 hours following a dog showing clinical signs.
- sudden inappetance (dog won’t eat)
- vomiting
- extreme lethargy or depression
- diarrhea (severe and/or containing blood)
- dehydration
- a bloated, tender, or seemingly painful abdomen
- rapid heartbeat
- red gums and eyeballs
- low body temperature (hypothermia)
Canine Parvovirus Medical Treatment
Most veterinarians treat Parvovirus with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. In addition, treatment may include balancing the blood sugar, intravenous electrolytes, intravenous nourishment, and an antiemetic injection to reduce nausea and vomiting. None of these treatments “cure” the disease or kill the virus; they are supportive therapies that help stabilize the dog long enough for his immune system to begin counteracting the virus.
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PLEASE be aware of your dog – and please take care of your 4-legged furry best friend ❤️