PARVOVIRUS IN THE PUPPY: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS TREATED

Parvovirus is a viral disease that mainly affects puppies causing them pictures of foul-smelling hemorrhagic diarrhea and vomiting. This disease is highly contagious and can lead to death if not treated. For this reason, it is essential that you know the symptoms of parvovirus in the puppy, its forms of transmission, how to treat it and how to prevent its appearance.

We will tell you everything below.

Index of contents:

1. What is parvovirus and what are its causes?

2. Parvovirus in the puppy: how is it transmitted?

3. Symptoms of parvovirus

4. Treatment of parvovirus in puppies

5. How to prevent parvovirus in puppies?

Causes?

Parvovirus is a very serious infectious disease. It was first detected in 1978 and its name comes from the Latin parvus, which means "small", referring to the small size of the infectious agent that triggers the disease. This virus is capable of causing infection after an incubation in the infected dog for between 5 and 10 days.

Parvovirus is a very stable virus and highly resistant to the physical and chemical agents used for disinfection. This provides it with a high capacity to remain in the environment, and can be a major source of infection for approximately two years.

Although parvovirus can affect dogs of any age, the most serious cases are usually among puppies. On the other hand, there are breeds with a greater predisposition to suffer from this disease. This is the case of dogs such as the German Shepherd, the Rottweiler or the Yorkshire. However, other breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel have been shown to be more resistant to parvovirus.

2. Parvovirus in the puppy: how is it transmitted?

A puppy can contract parvovirus by coming into contact with the feces of a sick animal, either orally or nasally.

Although this is the main route of transmission, any puppy can contract parvovirus if it comes into contact with contaminated items such as cages, feeders or other accessories.

Likewise, we must take into account a series of factors that exponentially multiply the risk of contracting the disease:

Parasitic diseases

The concentration of a large number of animals in the same space: hatcheries, protective entities, leisure areas, etc.

Inadequate diet

Stress

And how does parvovirus work? Once the virus enters the puppy's body, its first destination is the lymphoid structures (such as ganglia). This is where the virus multiplies and from where it goes to its target points, spreading throughout the body through the bloodstream until it reaches the digestive cells, the ones that interest it the most.

3. Symptoms of parvovirus

Depending on the form in which the disease occurs, the affected animal may present some symptoms or others. Let's see in detail the main forms of presentation of this disease:

Generalized form: in these cases, the main symptom is hypothermia. This is the most complex scenario to control, as it usually affects all the puppies in the same litter, causing death.

Cardiac form: in addition to the drop in body temperature, the puppy may present pale or bluish (cyanotic) mucous membranes and heart (tachycardia), respiratory (tachypnea), seizures and finally death. Although in these cases some puppies may temporarily overcome the initial crisis, they may end up dying days, weeks, or even months later.

Gastrointestinal form: the animal presents fever, lack of appetite, great thirst, vomiting and diarrhea (with and without blood). In these cases, the prognosis is favorable as long as appropriate treatment is applied with the appearance of the first symptoms.

In case of detecting any of the symptoms described, it is essential that you go to the veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis of the disease by carrying out the pertinent tests on the puppy.

4. Treatment of parvovirus in the puppy

We must remember that parvovirus is a viral infection and therefore there is no specific treatment to eradicate it. The treatment prescribed by the veterinarian will always be symptomatic and will be aimed at combating the symptoms of the disease and strengthening the puppy's defenses.

Some of this care involves the administration of serum to alleviate dehydration derived from diarrhea and vomiting or taking antibiotics to control possible secondary infections.

puppy?

The parvovirus vaccine is the main way to prevent the disease. Ask your veterinarian for advice and follow the guidelines that he or she indicates to you.

In addition to vaccinating him, you should take into account the following precautions that will help you prevent your puppy from contracting the disease:

Feeding. Remember the importance of providing your puppy with a balanced diet.