HOW TO Treat Your Dog for Parvo

Posted by Laura Goldman on April 27, 2011 // 0 Comments

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Parvo, or canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), is a highly contagious disease that attacks the lining of a dog’s digestive system. According to peteducation.com, it is the most common infectious disorder of dogs in the United States.

Most cases of parvo occur in puppies younger than 6 months of age, and the most severe infections are usually in puppies less than 12 weeks old. Peteducation.com reports that Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to parvo than other breeds.

While parvo is preventable with vaccinations, it is usually fatal if left untreated (the mortality rate is 91 percent). But with proper care, an infected dog can often survive to live a healthy life.

Oprah Winfrey and Kellan Lutz are just two of the many pet parents who have helped their dogs recover from this disease. Here are tips for helping your dog become another success story.
 

What Causes Parvo?

“Parvoviruses are a large group; almost every mammal species (including humans) seems to have its own,” writes the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center.

While parvoviruses for other species have been around for many years, the original canine version, called CPV-1, wasn’t discovered until 1967. It wasn’t considered much of a threat, except to newborn puppies. The current variant, CPV-2, was first detected in 1978 and has proven to be much deadlier than its predecessor.

“Because this virus was (and is) shed in gigantic numbers by infected animals and because this virus is especially hardy in the environment, worldwide distribution of the virus rapidly occurred,” Mar Vista writes.

According to an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) brochure, parvo is spread by “direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments or people.” Even tiny amounts of the virus in feces can infect dogs that come near it.

The virus can contaminate “kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs,” writes the AVMA, and it’s resistant to heat, cold, humidity and drying. “CPV-2 is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes or other objects.”

Parvo can lead to a dog’s death in one of two ways, according to Mar Vista: Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which leads to shock and death; or the dog can lose his intestinal barrier, allowing bacteria and toxins to take over his entire body.
 

What are the Symptoms of Parvo?

According to the AVMA, most deaths from parvo occur just 48 to 72 hours after a dog shows the first signs of the disease. If your dog isn’t vaccinated and has these symptoms, take him to the vet or emergency animal hospital immediately:

Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Fever
Vomiting
Severe and often bloody diarrhea

“Parvoviral infection must be considered as a possible diagnosis in any young dog with vomiting and/or diarrhea,” writes Mar Vista. “With proper hospitalization, survival rates approach 80 percent.”

How is Parvo Diagnosed?

Your vet will likely perform an ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay) test on a sample of your dog’s feces to confirm the CPV-2 virus, according to Mar Vista. This procedure uses the same technology as home pregnancy tests, and produces results in less than 15 minutes.

Your vet may also do a blood test to check your dog’s white blood cell count. “The virus essentially turns the immune system off before making its deadly way to the GI tract,” Mar Vista writes, resulting in a low white cell count.

How is Parvo Treated?

“Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes,” notes the AVMA. Since there are currently no drugs available that will kill the parvo virus, the treatment will focus on strengthening your dog’s immune system so it can fight off the infection.

Both the AVMA and Mar Vista warn that treatment can be very expensive, and some dogs do not survive.

“Be prepared for a five-to-seven-day hospital stay,” Mar Vista writes.

In the hospital, your dog will be rehydrated through intravenous fluids containing electrolytes. Because his GI tract may be damaged, he will be given medication to stop his vomiting via an injection. To help stop the bacterial invasion of his circulatory system, he will be given antibiotics via shots or his IV.

When your dog is well enough to come home, it will take another week or two for him to recover. Mar Vista offers these tips for his care during this period.

It is important to restrict your dog to the diet specified by your vet. You should feed him a small meal every hour or two. “Your puppy may be ravenously hungry after going so long without food,” Mar Vista writes. “Do not allow the puppy to gorge as this can result in vomiting or diarrhea.”

Bathing your dog will help remove bacteria remaining on his fur. Just be sure to dry him off completely, and don’t let him get chilled after his bath.

While humans and adult dogs that have been vaccinated are not susceptible to parvo, puppies are, so keep your dog away from them.

Once your dog recovers, he cannot get re-infected for three years, and may actually be protected for life, according to Mar Vista. But you should still protect your dog against other viruses, so consult with your vet for a vaccination schedule.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Parvo?

The simplest way to prevent your dog from becoming infected with parvo is to have him vaccinated against the virus.

The parvovirus vaccine is typically administered on a yearly basis to all dogs. It is often included in a distemper combination vaccine (also referred to as “DHLPP,” “6 in one,” etc.). Because adult dogs have a low risk for the virus, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and many vets recommend administering the vaccine every three years.

A problem with young puppies, whose developing immune systems make them especially vulnerable to the virus, is that sometimes “immunity provided by a mother’s milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination,” writes the AVMA. “This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally be infected by parvovirus and develop disease.”

To prevent this from happening, puppies are given a series of parvo shots during their first few months. Until your puppy has completed this set of vaccinations, avoid taking him to places where puppies may congregate, such as dog parks, doggie day care and puppy classes.

Make sure your older dog’s vaccinations are always up-to-date. Consult with your vet to work out an optimal vaccination schedule.

When you’re walking your dog, don’t allow him to go near other dog’s feces.

At home, although no cleanser or disinfectant can completely remove the virus, the number of active particles can be reduced to a safe level. Mar Vista recommends using one part bleach mixed with 30 parts water to clean your dog’s environment. The bleach needs to be in contact with items for at least 10 minutes to kill the virus. Steam cleaning is also an effective disinfectant.

Without using disinfectants, Mar Vista notes that the virus will no longer be contagious indoors within a month after your dog’s infection has ended. Outdoors, shaded areas can remain contaminated for seven months, while areas that get lots of sunlight can stay contaminated for five months. Note that the virus can be preserved in frozen ground, so be sure to add this time to the contagious period.

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Find A Vet HOW TO articles are intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.

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