A few years ago, my dog was ill and I had to rush him to a vet clinic, after some examination, the vet informed me the chances of survival were on a 50/50 level, I pleaded with him to do his best to save my wonderful dog as I didn't want to lose him. The good thing was that my beautiful dog survived that episode, but not many dogs survived an episode of canine parvovirus.
Canine parvovirus is a contagious disease that basically affects unvaccinated dogs. Although the exact origin of the virus is not known, it is believed to have originated from the feline panleukopenia virus, which can persist for many months and possibly even years. Dogs between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months that have either not been vaccinated at all or have an incomplete vaccination are more susceptible.
Some breeds are also more susceptible than others, the virus attacks cells in a dog's intestine and prevents them from being able to absorb important nutrients, which will make them weak and seriously dehydrated. Not a lot of dog survives an episode of parvovirus.
A dog with parvovirus will show signs of vomiting, collapse, depression, fever, foul smell diarrhoea with blood, and sudden death. It is important that we try to save our pets from an episode of parvovirus which is a risk to their lives by getting them vaccinated as unvaccinated dogs are highly prone to getting parvo.
The symptoms that accompany parvo make an affected dog feel weak, and it makes their immune system have to work extra hard to be able to fight the disease. Younger pets within the age of 6 weeks to 6 months are more susceptible to getting to the secondary stage of infection, and may most likely die from dehydration.
Parvo is easy to be picked up by other pets who have also not been vaccinated fully or at all. The virus is shed in the feces of an infected dog within 4-5 days after there has been an exposure. It can be contacted through the body fluids of an infected dog, and even outside the environment. It is easy for a dog to contact parvo by simply sniffing the poo of an infected dog. The water bowls, carpets, and bedding's of an infected pet are no exemption to how the virus can be picked up.
Getting full vaccination for your pet is essential, the first dose of parvovirus vaccination should be administered within 6-10 weeks, and depending on the brand of vaccine used, a second shot should be administered about 2-4 weeks later. Also, depending on the breed of the pet, a third shot of vaccine may be advised when the pet is 16 weeks old. A further booster vaccination should be given after a year.
Life-threatening complications may spring up from parvovirus in the form of, extreme dehydration, multiple organ failure, and septic shock.
There is unfortunately no drug that can kill the virus, and that's why we advise prevention through adequate vaccination in the first place, but in cases where it eventually happens, treatments will be provided so that, the immune system of the dog can fight the disease. For this to happen, the pet will need to be administered in a vet clinic for close observation. Afterward, an IV fluid will be passed through a drip to prevent your dog from getting dehydrated, drugs will also be provided to control vomiting and prevent dehydration.
When a dog has parvo disease, it is advisable that they are isolated from other pets, and even the human treating them needs to work with caution and safeguardedness. It is not a cheap treatment, vets charge well for this even if the survival rate of the pet is 50/50.
