Is your fur baby protected against deadly viruses? Every dog owner needs to know
Doggies make the best friends, the perfect partner, and a great company, so it is important to keep them protected, so among the most deadly viruses, Parvo virus is on the top of the list.
It is considered highly contiguous, so every dog owner needs to know about parvovirus disease.
Poor hygiene, poor quality feed intake, and avoiding vaccination can deteriorate your dog's health.
Let's talk about this lethal virus.
What is Parvo?
The virus basically belongs to a large family of viruses known as Parvovirus. It is actually a DNA virus that causes severe illness in young and unvaccinated dogs
It is a type of viral infection that primarily affects dividing cells, particularly those of the bone marrow and intestinal tract, and it comes in two varieties.
🐶Cardiovascular form
🐶Gastrointestinal form
So viruses mostly destroy the intestinal cells, which leads to impaired absorption and disrupts the gut barrier.
Stages of Parvo disease
Firstly, your dog will catch the virus from external factors (fecal contamination, fleas, etc.), and the incubation period will continue for three to seven days during which the infected dog will not show clinical signs.
Do you know this virus can survive in the environment for up to one year and can affect dogs of any age especially young pup?
Puppies are mostly vaccinated at the ages of 6, 8, and 12 weeks, so they are all vulnerable to all diseases until they are vaccinated and a proper titer is developed. So initially, mothers' antibodies get transferred by colostrum (milk secretion) which protect pups from diseases. So the basic gap between vaccination durations can affect the immunization of pups and may lead to Parvo virus.
Because the severity of each case varies, it has also been reported that weaning stress, other secondary infections, and parasitic infection can all stress the immune system, resulting in more severe forms of parvo.
How long will puppies infected with Parvo Virus be contiguous?
Parvovirus is highly contagious, spreads very easily through secretions and body fluids, and shows signs after 7 days. Thus, viruses are totally resistant to heat, cold, and humidity.
What happens during a persisting infection?
This lethal virus destroys the dog's gut barrier by attacking cells and blocking the absorption of essential nutrients, thereby lowering immunity.
So it is believed that they are derived from feline panleukopenia.
Can Cat get Parvo virus from Dogs?
Cats can also get a type parvovirus that causes severe fatal illness in them which is known as feline pan leukopenia while dogs cannot get feline parvovirus so it is very important to keep diseased animal isolated to avoid further spreading
It is very important for pet parents to be aware of their dogs' symptoms.
Main concern for pet parents
The earlier you diagnose the disease, the sooner your pet will be treated and recover, so Initial signs of weakness and dehydration, lethargy, and a loss of interest in food should be noticed. Symptoms may be followed by extreme vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and fever.
So prevention is better than cure
Vaccinating your dog against Parvo virus is the only way to protect them from this potentially fatal disease, and these vaccines work by training their immune system to recognize viral markers for Parvo virus.
Which dogs are at higher risk of parvo virus?
- Germen Shepherds
- English springer spaniels
- American pit bull terriers
- Doberman
- Rottweiler’s
If my dogs get parvovirus, what treatment is available?
There is no cure, so dogs with Parvo virus need very intensive care and medications. They need intensive intravenous fluids, pain killers, and certain antibiotics to treat an existing infection. Medications should be given to support the dog's immune system, and it should be put in isolation and kept away from other animals.
Diagnosis/confirmation?
So, your vet will run laboratory tests, and you will learn about the rapid destruction of white blood cells, anemia (because blood is lost from the gastrointestinal tract), thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia (the destruction of lymphoid tissue).
And the most common method your veterinarian will use to diagnose the presence of canine parvovirus is a fecal ELISA test, which is essentially an antibody immobilization test.
Holistic approach to treat parvo
Naturopathic medicine can be used to slow the virus's replication. That mostly includes minerals, flower remedies, herbs, etc.
So what precautionary measure should pet parents adopt?
- Humans can't contract the same strain of Parvo virus from their pets, but they can act as carriers of these viruses through their shoes, hands, and clothing. So while handling them, extra care and attention should be given.
- Pet parents should be aware of their pets' vaccination status and should not bring them to pet shops, parks, etc. where they are more exposed to this lethal virus.
- Garlic can be added to minced meat as it is considered the best immune booster and has antibacterial, antifungal, and ant parasitic properties.
So parvovirus is a serious virus and should not be left untreated, so we should not only rely on allopathic medicine but also use every possible method to protect our fur babies and always contact your veterinarian after following proper precautionary measures.
Isn't it better to be safe than sorry?
How long will it take to recover from Parvo disease?
Since it weakens the immunity, the animal will gain strength slowly and gradually, and the average recovery time for Parvo disease is 6-7 days.
So if you guys are wondering what dietary modifications you can make in parvo puppies or dogs
Pet patients must be sympathetic and responsible, and no extra feed should be given during this state because the virus continues to multiply in active form. No solid food should be given and intravenous drips may balance the nutrition status. Once your dog has recovered, you can gradually introduce solid food back into the diet under veterinarian supervision.
Will a dog with parvovirus drink water?
Depending on the progression of the disease, the dogs may totally refuse to eat or drink due to consistent vomiting and diarrhea.
Why is there a specific smell to Parvo disease?
As in this disease, the virus completely affects the intestinal villi and crypts, causing sloughing of intestinal cells and bloody diarrhea with a distinct sticky sweet odor.
What are the long-term effects of canine parvovirus after recovery?
There are no long-term effects of parvo in dogs, but some may experience gastrointestinal problems that are mostly resolved. Maintaining a proper balance diet is very important for quality of life in a few months to weeks.
Can a dog get the Parvo virus twice in a lifetime?
Chances of getting it again Parvo is extremely rare because dogs develop immunity over time.
Maintain a proper health record by regularly visiting a qualified vet and following proper instructions.
Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve, nurture, and care for all life.