Parvo |
| In recent months we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of parvovirus cases in our hospital. I thought this would be an opportune time to educate the readers of Pet Corner about this deadly virus and possibly reduce the number cases in our community. Parvo is a viral disease that infects the intestinal tract of our canine friends. The virus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. After exposure, a susceptible pup will begin showing symptoms in about four to seven days. Common symptoms of parvo include: vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and depression. Breeds that are at a higher risk for parvovirus infection include: Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers, pit bull terriers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers. Usually, affected dogs are unvaccinated puppies under one year of age. Although deadly, this virus can be avoided by taking some simple precautions. First of all, a series of vaccinations administered by your veterinarian are imperative. We begin vaccinating at about six weeks of age. The pup will then return for parvo boosters every three weeks until he is sixteen to twenty weeks of age, then at yearly intervals. Another important precaution is to not allow your pup access to the park or any area where stray dogs may roam until he has had his complete series of puppy vaccines. If your pup does come down with these type of symptoms, make sure to see your veterinarian immediately. The longer the disease is left untreated, the worse the prognosis. With appropriate treatment which includes hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and many other injectable medications, the pet will have his best chance of survival. Left untreated most will die. Remember, preventative medicine is always the best for your pet and least expensive to you. Good luck and good pet parenting. |
