Canine parvovirus, or parvovirosis—commonly known as “Parvo”—is a serious and potentially fatal viral infectious disease. Therefore, if you suspect your dog may be infected, it is essential to visit a veterinary clinic immediately.
What is canine parvovirus?
Parvo is a virus that can also affect cats, but in this article, we will specifically discuss the parvovirus that can infect puppies starting at four weeks of age. It can also affect healthy but immunocompromised adult dogs that have not been vaccinated against the virus.
Some dog breeds, such as the Rottweiler, have more difficulty producing antibodies, so they require more booster vaccinations than other breeds.
How is Parvovirus transmitted? Is it highly contagious?
Parvovirus is transmitted through direct oral/nasal contact from an infected dog to another dog, through the feces of dogs infected with the canine parvovirus (CPV), and also intrauterinely—that is, from an infected mother to her puppies during pregnancy.
The parvo virus can also be present on surfaces and objects that have come into contact with contaminated feces; other animals, such as rodents and insects, can act as vectors for transmitting canine parvovirus.
The CPV (Canine Parvo Virus) is considered highly contagious and has a short incubation period (between five and ten days). Once infection occurs, the virus targets organs with rapidly dividing cells, such as the digestive system, which leads to enteritis and diarrhea, the cardiovascular system (causing myocarditis, sometimes fatal), bone marrow, respiratory system, and others.
As a result of the infectious/inflammatory process caused by the virus, other organs may eventually be affected, which can lead to the puppy’s death.
What symptoms does parvovirus cause?
The symptoms that may appear due to parvovirus infection, which typically first attacks lymphatic and intestinal tissue, include:
Diarrhea (often accompanied by bleeding).
Vomiting.
Fever.
Loss of appetite and lethargy.
Apathy and/or sluggishness.
Depression.
Weight loss.
Abdominal pain upon palpation.
In more severe cases, dehydration (ranging from mild to severe, as the virus affects the intestinal tract) and death.
In some cases, the disease may occur without symptoms, such as in adult dogs that contract it and are more resistant to the illness.
The virus damages intestinal epithelial cells, and it is common for these injuries to allow bacteria normally present in the intestinal flora to enter the bloodstream, leading to a generalized bacterial infection, resulting in septic or endotoxic shock, which may be accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
The severity of symptoms in puppies depends on their immune status, age, the number of vaccines they have received to prevent “parvo” infection, the amount of virus they have been exposed to, and the breed, as some breeds are genetically less likely to respond well to treatments (Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, etc.).
Diagnosis
The clinical symptoms present in dogs infected with parvovirus are usually highly indicative of the disease, but the diagnosis is confirmed through blood tests (showing a decrease in white blood cells/lymphocytes, which are the body’s defense cells against infections). The presence of parvovirus can also be tested using a rapid antigen test on the animal’s feces.
This test may yield false negatives during the first 3-4 days after infection, as the virus is not excreted during this phase. Excretion occurs around days 8-10, making it easier to obtain a diagnosis through antigen tests, which will require definitive confirmation via PCR.
During treatment, various hematological and biochemical tests will be necessary to monitor the patient’s progress, along with other diagnostic tests if the heart, lungs, or bone marrow have been affected.
What is the treatment?
We address parvovirus cases based on the severity of the patient’s condition, combating dehydration and any complications that may arise from it, such as endotoxic or hypovolemic shock.
Antibiotic therapy will also be necessary, along with monitoring blood tests to help assess the progress of the condition and the patient’s status.
Treatment and Therapy
Intravenous fluid therapy.
Supportive treatment to counteract symptoms.
Nutritional support (enteral or parenteral, depending on the severity of the case).
Monitoring for complications (secondary infections, intestinal intussusception).
Controlling digestive motility and gastric distension (nasogastric tubes are sometimes placed to decompress the stomach and improve comfort).
Plasma/albumin/blood transfusions, depending on the patient’s needs and severity.
Depending on the severity and progression of the case, complications such as sepsis, endotoxemia (presence of endotoxins in the blood), or DIC may occur, as previously mentioned.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment that directly combats the virus. Instead, treatment focuses on alleviating its effects and supporting the immune system.
Can parvovirus be prevented? Is it contagious?
Parvovirus cannot be cured with medication or home remedies alone. It is a potentially fatal virus that can affect other dogs in the household living with the carrier.
The best way to prevent parvovirus infection is through vaccination of puppies, by consulting your veterinarian to determine the best time to do so.
Additionally, habits that prevent puppies from being exposed to the feces of potentially infected dogs will help minimize the risk of infection. For example, avoid letting unvaccinated puppies go outside or interact with adult dogs that are vaccinated and therefore immunized.
Canine parvovirus is NOT contagious to humans
However, if we do not take sufficient hygiene precautions and avoid contact with the fecal matter of other dogs, CPV can be fatal to puppies or dogs with weakened immune systems.
Properly deworming and vaccinating our pets is the only way to prevent the consequences of “parvo,” as well as other parasitic diseases.
If you have questions about your pet’s well-being, please email: DrBorrego@petsvet.com www.petsvet.com
Dr. Enrique Borrego is the medical director of Animal General Hospital, 501 SW Port Saint Lucie Blvd, Port St Lucie, FL 34953 Tel: 772-344-8835
Serving our Treasure Coast community since 1990.
Image: Petsvet
