FAQ ON PARVO VIRUS INFECTION IN DOGS
Dr.Chandrakala Sinha, TVO,Hazipur
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious, fatal viral disease mainly affecting dogs with manifestation of signs like enteritis and myocarditis. It has high morbidity rate upto 100% and frequent mortality upto 10%. Parvovirus in canine was first recognized in 1978. Canine parvovirus is caused by Parvo, a single stranded DNA virus which is the smallest known virus that occurs in different species of animals.
The canine parvo virus is one of the most devastating and contagious diseases your puppy or adult dog can get. But you can protect your beloved pet with yearly vaccinations.
Q1 What are the Signs & symptoms of parvo?
Parvovirus occours in two forms
Enteric form- Parvovirus has got affinity to epithelial lining of intestine leading to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Parvovirus infection occurs in all ages of dog but occurs in serious proportion on pups.Various signs observed in dogs suffering from enteric form of parvovirus are
(a) High rise of temperature initially but gradually turn to subnormal temperature
(b) Vomitting- Severe vomition and vomitus may be of frothy yellow colour
(c) Diarrhoea – Brownish semi- solid faeces mixed with mucus which is followed by
foetid haemorrhagic diarrhoea
(d) Dehydration- When vomittion and diarrhoes is severe there is loss of fluid and electrolyte and so the dog become dehydrated
(e)Restlessness, increased thirst, loss of appetite
(f) Lethargy, depression
Cardiac form- Parvovirus damages the heart muscle. It is less common than enteric form and is more common among pups below 10 weeks of age. There is inflammation of the heart, breathing difficulty. Death occours due to cardiogenic shock. If the dog survives it will suffer from chronic myocardial and circulatory complications.
Loss of appetite and thirst are usually the first symptoms, followed by sluggishness, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The parvo virus attacks the dog’s digestive system. The cause of death in parvo infected dogs is often dehydration. Your dog’s best chance of survival is to start treatment right away. Most deaths from parvo occur within 2-3 days of the onset of symptoms.
Q2 How do I know for sure if my dog has parvo?
In addition to the common symptoms noted above, many veterinary clinics in India have a quick, inexpensive test for the disease. It is highly accurate for detecting the parvo virus in your dog’s feces.
Q3 Which dogs are most likely to get parvo?
Puppies under 4 months of age or any dogs that are not fully vaccinated against the virus. The stronger your dog’s immune system is, the better his chances for survival. Young puppies are most vulnerable. Dogs that have had a greater exposure to the virus, such as dogs housed together with infected dogs, are also more vulnerable.
Q4 How do I prevent my dog from getting parvo?
Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!!! The combination vaccines (e.g., “6-in-1” or “7-in-1”) contain a component for parvo. Vaccinate your puppy with the parvo combo vaccine at 6 weeks of age, and then again every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. All dogs, including adult dogs, need at least 2 parvo combo vaccinations given 3-4 weeks apart.
In addition, keep young puppies at home until they are fully vaccinated for parvo. The parvo virus is everywhere in the environment, but is especially common in public places where other dogs are frequently found such as dog parks, people parks, and sidewalks/lawns where dogs are frequently walked.
Q5 How is parvovirus transmitted in dogs?
Parvovirus is transmitted via direct contact with infected dog or its excretions or indirect contact with their faeces. All secretions and excretions of the infected animal like vomitus and faeces contains parvovirus. The parvovirus spreads from parks, kennel, animal shelters, clinics or even at dog shows. It is transmitted from one place to another on the feet and hair of infected dogs.
The virus is spread by contact with the feces or vomit of a parvo-infected dog. Transmission can be directly from dog to dog, or indirectly through contact with contaminated feces/vomit or contaminated environments (floors, bedding, ground) or contaminated people (hands, clothes, shoes).
NOTE: Parvo-infected dogs may not show symptoms for up to 2 weeks. However, they can start shedding the virus within a couple of days of infection. Therefore, you often won’t know that a dog is infectious until it’s too late. Similarly, even after a dog survives the disease, he can continue to shed the virus for 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms.
Q6 How do I disinfect my home for parvo virus?
Parvo can survive in the environment for many months without disinfection. Once your dog has stopped shedding the virus:
Pick up all infected feces/vomit (and surrounding soil) from your yard and discard in trash. Consider your yard parvo-infected for at least 6 months. Parvo virus is very difficult to decontaminate from the soil.
Bathe your dog to remove the virus from his coat and feet.
Remove all infected porous (non-smooth) items from your home or car that have come into contact with your dog and his/her feces or vomit: food, bedding, toys, upholstered furniture, etc, and discard in trash.
Use a solution of 1 part bleach (Chlorox, not an off-brand) to 32 parts water and saturate all surfaces, such as contaminated floors and walls. Let dry and repeat at least once.
Wash all parvo infected clothes/shoes in a 1:32 parts bleach solution.
Do not bring any young or unvaccinated dogs into your home for at least 6 months!
Q6 What dogs are highly susceptible to parvovirus infection?
Unvaccinated dogs against canine parvovirus and puppies less than four months old are at increase risk. Breeds of dogs like Labrador, Dobermann, Rottweilers are also at high risk.
Q7 How is parvovirus diagnosed?
Parvovirus is diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs. But it doesn’t mean that all cases of vomiting and haemorrhagic diarrhoea are caused by parvovirus. So for confirmation laboratory diagnosis such as Animal inoculation test, Serum Neutralization test, ELISA, Haematology, Haemagglutination, Fluorescence antibioty technique is to be made.
Q8 How is parvo treated in dog?
Dogs with parvovirus infection need immediate veterinary care because if not treated in time can kill a dog within 2 to 3 days. There is no specific treatment against parvovirus and so symptomatic treatment can be rendered.
(a) Fluid therapy- In case of dehydration and to restore fluid and electrolyte loss
(b) Antibiotic like cefazolin, gentamycin, ampicillin, cefotoxin- To prevent secondary bacterial infection
(c) Antiemetics such as Reglan ( Metaclopromide)- To stop vomiting
(d) Acid blocker drugs like ranitidine, cimetidine- To correct gastritis
(e) Metronidazole, loparamide- To prevent diarrhoea
(f) Whole blood transfusion- In case of severe blood loss
Don’t feed the dog with anything for at least 24 hours if the dog is vomiting
continuously.
Q9 How to control and prevent the spread of parvovirus?
(a)Vaccination- Vaccination against parvovirus will provide protection and control the disease. Puppies less than 3 months old should be given 2 injections. The first injection should be given between 6 and 8 weeks and the second injection after the 12th week. Adult dog should also be vaccinated. All dogs should be boostered at least once a year. To transfer immunity to the puppies, the bitch should be boostered within two weeks of whelping.
(b) Hygiene- Strict hygienic measures to be followed are-
Dogs kennel should be kept clean and disinfected
Contact with suspected dog specially their faeces should be minimized
Isolation of infected dog from healthy ones and should be treated
Q 10. What to do if your house has parvovirus?
Disinfect contaminated areas. Bleach kills parvovirus. 10% bleach solution is used. Bleaching of bowls, floors, toys and contaminated things should be done. It is better not to bring another dog for about a year.
