What Is Parvo?
You may have heard the term, but what exactly is Parvo? In short, it is a viral disease that affects puppies and adult dogs that may be deadly if left untreated. This disease attacks the cells in your puppy or dog’s intestinal lining, or the lining of their digestive system. This causes the animal not to be able to absorb nutrients or liquids into their bodies. Although seen in both adult dogs and puppies, puppies are more affected by this virus because of their immature immune systems. Parvo is transmitted from one dog to another through their feces. The virus can live up to nine months in feces under the right conditions. Adult dogs that show no outward signs of the disease can be carriers and may pass it along to other dogs through their stool. Although the disease cannot be transmitted by air, you can pass it on to your dog through carrying the feces on the sole of your shoe, or a bird may pass along the droppings into your yard. The symptoms of this deadly disease include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Infected dogs will have a severe loss of appetite or even stop eating altogether. They will have uncontrolled diarrhea, probably a high fever and will appear lethargic and depressed. Their stool will be very liquidy and foul smelling, and will be a yellowish color and may contain blood. The dog will also be vomiting. As the disease progresses, dehydration and shock will occur and many times results in the death of the animal. This disease may also attack the heart of the dog which can eventually result in congestive heart failure. If this dreaded disease does enter your yard or home, it will live there if you do not rid the area of it, and can be transmitted to your next dog. The only thing that will kill the disease is bleach (a mixture of 1/3 bleach to 2/3 water). Other household cleansers will not work. You will need to disinfect everything that may be infected with the virus, such as the dog’s blanket, his feeding dishes, toys, and even your own clothing and bedding. You will also need to soak the entire area of yard your dog has used with the bleach solution. There are certain products that you can obtain from your veterinarian, such as Parvosan or Roccal, which are designed as a treatment for areas that may have been exposed to the Parvo virus. Although all dogs and puppies can contract this virus, certain breeds of dogs may be more susceptible than others, such as Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers or other black and tan breeds. If your dog does become infected, he will have a 50-50% chance of recovery, with treatment. But, after treatment your dog will most likely be weaker and more easily susceptible to other illnesses. Without treatment your dog will only have a 20% chance of recovery. To help prevent your dog or puppy from becoming infected with this disease, it is necessary for him to get vaccinated by your veterinarian. The vaccine is given in conjunction with the distemper shots he receives. Puppies usually get this vaccine at about 6-8 weeks of age. You should try to keep your puppy away from other dogs until he has received his last Parvo shot.
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