Unfortunately Parvo Virus comes each year in the Spring and Fall.
Veterinary Clinics are already seeing it in abundance.
I know you've heard the
name a thousand times,
but do you know what Parvo really is?
Many people know it's bad but that's
about all. Most pet owners aren't aware of the real possibility of their pet's
contracting this virus if they do not finish out their puppy vaccine series.
This can be frustrating to those in the Veterinary Field. We educate clients when they come in and inform them
of the dangers that their puppy faces if they do not complete the series of
vaccine boosters.
Some people believe that the first vaccine is all their puppy
needs so we don't see them back for booster vaccines......until that pet becomes sick with Parvo.
This is unfortunate because they all suffer in the end if the pet does get Parvo. Pet, family and medical staff.
So.......what is Parvo Virus?
Parvo is a highly contagious viral
disease most commonly seen in puppies under the age of one. Most commonly seen
in puppies between the ages of 6-16 weeks and typically before they can
complete their puppy vaccination series. The virus is spread through the feces
of an infected dog. The housefly is also a common carrier. The fly lands in the
yard of a dog that already has Parvo lands on the feces and carries the virus
on its body in to your yard. It can be that easy. If the fly lands on your
pet’s paws or nose or anywhere else on his body or his belonging, i.e., food
and water bowls, blankets, etc. It can contract the disease within seconds. The
virus can be carried in on clothes, shoes and even your hair once you’ve come
in contact with it.
There are three common
manifestations that we see.
- Asymptomatic, meaning we do not see any signs. This
usually occurs in vaccinated dogs or dogs over a year old.
- Intestinal. Known as Enteritis. This virus causes
extreme damage to the intestinal tract. It can cause sloughing of the
cells that line the intestinal tract leaving your pet wide open to a
secondary bacterial infection. Characterized by lethargy, diarrhea, (often
dark and bloody), vomiting, (often severe), fever, low white blood cell
count and lack of appetite. Onset of the virus can be quick. Your puppy
can be playing happy one day and severely sick the next day. Often the
onset is 12 hours or less. Incubation time from exposure to clinical signs
is typically 3-10 days. This means that if your puppy was exposed to Parvo
3 days ago, you may not know that he is sick until up to a week.
Many people purchase puppies that
appear healthy and happy and then are completely devastated 7-10 days later to
see that healthy puppy become severely sick so suddenly.
Parvo Virus is diagnosed by your
Veterinarian’s physical exam, signalment (age, breed and vaccine status) and a
Parvo Test that can be run in your Veterinarian’s office.
- The last manifestation we see is Cardiac. This
form is the least seen, largely in part to widespread vaccination. The
Cardiac form causes severe inflammation of the heart muscle. It can cause difficult
breathing and sudden death. Additional diagnostics to treat Parvo can be
Blood work and Radiographs to rule out other causes of diarrhea and to see
how low the puppy’s white blood cell count is.
IS THERE A CURE FOR PARVO VIRUS?
The answer is NO! Only Supportive care.
The preventative
measures that you can take are to make sure your puppy receives a complete
vaccination series. Puppies can receive their first vaccines between 6-8 weeks
of age. They need to continue their vaccine “boosters” every 3 weeks until they
are 16-18 weeks of age.
It is important to make sure that
your puppy receives it’s vaccines from a licensed Veterinarian only. Many people
purchase vaccines “over the counter” and unfortunately these are the puppies
that we often see back with Parvo. Mostly this happens because of incorrect
administration by the owner, lack of proper temperature control of the vaccine or other mishandling of the vaccine.
(Owner brings it home and leaves it on the counter where it reaches room
temperature) and overall poor quality control. It may be a reputable vaccine manufacture but if not handled correctly becomes void of protection.
If you plan on adopting or purchasing
a new puppy, please plan on the first few months being the most expensive. If
you do not factor in the Veterinary expenses your puppy will not be the only
one who suffers. Your family will.
WHY THE SUFFER THE HEARTBREAK?
I have witnessed many heartbreaking
situations with families who obtain their first puppy but do not take the
preventative measures by completing the puppy vaccination series or abiding by
“new puppy laws” and taking measures to prevent them from being in situations
where they can potentially be exposed to infectious diseases. Most often this
is simply lack of education in owning a new puppy, not neglect.
Exposure to infectious diseases like
Parvo can happen by taking your puppy out to places where multiple dogs
congregate and not knowing the other dogs’ vaccine histories. Puppy stores, dog
parks, sports complexes, are just a few examples where dogs are found with
owners.
I have seen people who spend
extensive amounts of money in buying dog crates, fancy beds, outdoor kennel
runs, leashes, harnesses, etc. only to lose their puppies in a matter of days,
to Parvo, because they did not know that they needed to do more than one puppy
vaccine.
Common things we hear from people in
the Veterinary Clinic are:
- I only thought he needed one vaccine.
- I did not know there was a “puppy vaccine series”
- The Breeder or Pet Store told us he was finished with all of his/her
vaccines (often a simple misunderstanding)
- I just thought the Veterinarian wanted my money!
This is heartbreaking to those of us
in the Veterinary Clinic. We see between 5-15 cases each season and often more.
Most of these cases can be prevented by vaccines and additional preventative
measures. It is those of us in the Veterinary Clinic who watch the family and
the puppy suffer emotionally and physically and often times it is those of us who have to euthanize the puppy
because of the high expense of Supportive Care or the poor prognosis for recovery.
SUPPORTIVE CARE
There is no Cure. There is only
Supportive Care. Supportive Care involves Re-Hydration and Antibiotic Therapy.
Replacing fluid loss through the vomiting and diarrhea. This is the single most
important treatment. Intravenous administration of a balanced Electrolyte
Solution is preferred but in less severe cases, Subcutaneous Fluids
Administration or Oral fluid Administration can be used. In extremely severe
cases, blood transfusions may be needed. Antibiotics are used to control or
prevent secondary bacterial infections. The Mortality of severe infections is
high and home care without the help of professional Veterinary Care, can be
very difficult.
Parvo Virus Supportive Care can be
expensive. Often it can cost the client between $200-$500 dollars a day for several
days to a week.
Parvo Viruses are highly resistant.
A 1:32 dilution of household bleach (1/2 cup bleach to a gallon of water) can
inactivate the Virus. The bleach needs to have adequate exposure time and
proper concentration to work effectively. Often objects are left to stand after
being sprayed with the solution for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Vaccinating is the BEST Preventative
and much less expensive in the long run!
Please stay current on your pet’s
vaccinations. Complete your puppy series until your pet reaches the age of at
least 16 weeks and sometimes up to 18 weeks depending on when they received
their first one. Vaccinate your Adult dog annually until your Veterinarian
tells you otherwise.
Educate yourself about what it will
take to implement a new puppy into your family! Have fun with your new furry
family member, but please make smart, educated decisions when it comes to his
health! You and your kids will be thankful!