Symptoms And Cause Of Dog Parvo
Any pet owner knows that the number one rules when taking care of puppies and dogs is to show them love and make sure that they are well taken care of and healthy. In order to do that we have to do our best to protect them from the many diseases that can affect them.
Usually the worst thing we have to worry about our dogs catching is a frisbee or their favorite toy. If they get sick than we think it is usually because of worms or maybe they just caught the cold. We never think that it might be something more serious.
Dog parvo is the most serious and deadliest disease that your dog can have. It is a common viral illness that is very small. Millions of particles from the virus can live in only a few grams of stool from a dog. This particular disease can be transmitted through both indirect and direct contact with diarrhea and vomit that comes from an infected dog.
Dog parvo – also known as Canine parvovirus (CPV) – will attack the dog’s intestinal tract, the white blood cells, and sometimes the heart muscle. The common form of the dog parvo has a predilection for rapidly dividing cells that include the cells of the intestinal lining. Because of this it will cause ulcerative enteritis and diarrhea. When the virus attacks the cells in the dog it will prevent them from being able to absorb important and vital nutrients.
The symptoms that are associated with dog parvo can take as long at 7 to 10 days to show up. During the early stages dog parvo symptoms can be the loss of appetite and a lack of energy. Not long afterwards they will experience malnutrition and dehydration. When the virus spreads the symptoms will include; vomiting, high fever, severe diarrhea, lethargy, and severe dehydration.
It is important that you take your puppy or dog to the hospital immediately when you spot any of these signs. Both types of dogs can be infected – but it is more commonly found in small puppies.
There is no cure for this disease. For now the only treatment for them when they have been infected is to maintain their body fluids, temperature, and to balance the electrolytes levels in their body. If a dog were to survive the first onset of parvo than there is still a very high risk that they will relapse during the recovery.
It is important that you have your dog immunized to help protect them from this disease if they come into any contact with another dog that has been infected. Vets will usually vaccinate puppies every 3 to 4 weeks as soon as they are 6 weeks old and until they are 20 weeks old.
