What puppy owners should know about parvo

Parvo (canine parvovirus or CPV) is a highly contagious disease, leading to gastrointestinal tract problems in puppies and unvaccinated dogs. The virus works by attacking the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. It can also attack white blood cells Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source and cells of the heart muscle, which can lead to a low white blood cell count, heart damage, or even death.

How parvo spreads

Curious puppies may get parvo by touching their nose or mouth to infected feces. The virus also spreads through direct contact with an infected dog and indirectly spreads through contact with contaminated environments or items, like leashes, crates, or bowls.

The virus is incredibly difficult to eradicate.  If you suspect your puppy has parvo, it’s crucial to quarantine Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source infected dogs immediately and begin disinfecting your environment.

Symptoms of canine parvovirus

Every dog owner should recognize the signs and symptoms of parvo — it’s part of being a responsible pet owner. The most common signs are:

• Loss of appetite. A dog with parvo can go several days without eating, so keep an eye on any changes in appetite.
• Lethargy. Is your dog more tired than usual? This symptom may be caused by a variety of health conditions, including parvo.
• Vomiting. Among the chief symptoms of parvo is vomiting, which you’ll likely begin to notice first.
• Bloody diarrhea. Diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea, is one of the most prominent early symptoms in dogs with parvo. 
• Dehydration. Dogs experiencing diarrhea and vomiting also become severely dehydrated. A few signs of dehydration include dry gums, dry nose, panting, loss of appetite, and skin tenting — when the skin and fur lose elasticity and stay elevated and away from the neck in a tent-like shape.
• Weight loss. With excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, it’s no surprise that your puppy may begin to lose weight.
• Fever. In addition to lethargy and loss of appetite, your parvo puppy will also likely experience a fever. Your vet may recommend antibiotics for this.
• Hypothermia. Very sick puppies may experience hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature, along with difficulty breathing — another reason why early vaccination and intervention are key to prevention.
• Depression. The symptoms of parvo are no fun, and your dog’s mental health may be affected in the process. Be sure to give your puppy some extra comfort and love as they’re struggling.

Dogs with the weakest immune systems are at the highest risk of getting parvo, including unvaccinated, immunocompromised adult and elderly dogs. However, because most dogs are vaccinated by adulthood, unvaccinated puppies are most susceptible to the virus as their immune systems are still developing — and they are most likely to be in contact with other puppies, making it quick to spread.

Puppies under four months old that aren’t yet fully vaccinated still have antibodies in their system from their mother’s milk. As the antibodies leave their system, they are at heightened risk of any infection or virus, such as parvo, that may further weaken their immune system.

Once your puppy is infected, it’ll take three to seven days Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source for symptoms to appear. During this time, the virus will begin to attack your dog’s lymph nodes and tonsils before invading a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. 

After multiplying these invasive white blood cells, the virus makes its way into the puppy’s bloodstream and heightens its attack in the bone marrow and cells lining the walls of the small intestine. Parvo may also infect the heart in very young puppies.

When the virus attacks these sites, it weakens the body’s ability to protect itself by destroying immune cells and ultimately cutting down the number of healthy white blood cells, opening up opportunities to invade the site where it does the worst damage: the gastrointestinal tract.

During its attack on the intestines, parvovirus makes it difficult to replace the old and dying cells with healthy, fresh new ones Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source , making it harder for the intestines to adequately absorb nutrients and function the way they normally do to prevent illness. Symptoms like nausea and diarrhea will appear as a result, and parvovirus will continue to weaken the body’s immune system as it spreads.

Though parvo is not always fatal, when it is, death is usually a result of severe dehydration and shock, plus the release of toxins in the bloodstream.

Dog breeds at increased risk for parvo

Certain breeds may be more susceptible to canine parvovirus, though the reasons for this currently remain unknown. Breeds at heightened risk of contracting the disease include, among others:

• American pit bull terriers
• American Staffordshire terriers
• Doberman pinschers
• German shepherds
• Labrador retrievers
• Rottweilers

Most puppies that survive the first few days after the onset of symptoms make a complete recovery, and recovery typically takes a week depending on the severity of the case. 

During your initial veterinarian appointment, your vet will run what’s called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source to search for any signs of the virus in your dog’s feces. They may also conduct other diagnostic tests to confirm results or rule out other conditions.

Note that there is no cure for a canine parvovirus infection, but your vet will offer treatments for parvo symptoms, such as dehydration, diarrhea, and vomiting, and ensure your puppy is consuming a healthy, balanced diet to aid in recovery. Antibiotics may also be administered to help fight common secondary bacterial infections known to further weaken your pet’s already weakening immune system. 

In severe cases, parvo can indeed be fatal. These deaths usually occur in the first 48-72 hours after signs appear.

The number one tool for preventing parvo in puppies is vaccination, but you can also talk to your vet about taking additional precautions like adopting a healthier diet or changing puppy socialization habits.

• Vaccination — Puppies receive a total of three canine parvovirus vaccinations at three-to-four-week intervals, first at six to eight weeks old, then another shot between 10 to 12 weeks of age. The last vaccine is administered between 14 and 16 weeks.
• Good nutrition — Since there’s no cure for parvo, puppies will need a strong immune system to help fight the virus and recover from treatment. Ultimately, the best thing you can do in addition to vaccination is to feed your puppy a balanced diet, which means a good blend of protein, fat, carbs, and minerals.
• Caution while socializing — Puppies can get the disease from dog parks, grooming facilities, pet stores, and more. Socialize them in a less public area and limit their contact with other dogs. Check that kennels, daycares, and training classes require vaccination records and health examinations. You are safe socializing unvaccinated puppies with vaccinated dogs in secure environments. 

It’s completely understandable if you’re anxious about your puppy contracting parvo. But with the appropriate vaccines and preventative care, canine parvovirus can be avoided entirely. 

If your puppy does catch it, the virus has a survival rate of 68% to 92% with early treatment — and most puppies that survive those first three to four few days after symptoms appear to go on to make a complete recovery.