Parvo in Dogs
Parvo is a virus similar to the human influenza that usually affects younger dog’s and puppies. The Parvo virus attacks the dog’s small intestine, and destroys enzymes and white blood cells. The virus attacks the intestinal walls, leaving the dog very vulnerable to dangerous bacteria. This leaves your puppy extremely vulnerable to secondary infections. Although parvo is mainly contracted by dog’s aged 2-6 months, it can spread to adult dogs.
How to treat parvo in dogs?
The vet will most likely test your dog for parvo with a blood or feces test. If your dog tests positive, then the vet will most likely prescribe your dog a series of antibiotics. These antibiotics don’t fight against parvo directly, but rather protects your dog from developing secondary infections. The vet might also prescribe medication to treat specific symptoms, such as diarrhea or vomiting.
For next steps, you should check out my article on what to do after my dog survives parvo.
How does the parvo vaccine work?
The best way to protect your dog against parvo is to get him/her vaccinated. The parvo vaccine entails 3 different injections which is usually given to your dog when they are between the ages of 2-4 months old. Your dog is not immune to parvo until they receive the third and final shot. After the vaccines, it is recommended that your dog get the parvo booster shot every 3 years.
Can a dog get parvo twice?
Yes, a dog can get parvo twice. This is because parvo is similar to the flu in that it is constantly evolving and mutating. When your dog survives parvo the first time, it only builds immunity against that strand of parvo. They are still vulnerable to certain mutations of the disease. It is still very unlikely for a dog to get parvo a second time. Even though a dog is unlikely to get parvo twice, it is still recommended to give your dog the parvo vaccine even if they already had the disease. This could help protect your dog form infection years down the line.
How does parvo spread?
Parvo usually spreads from the feces of an infected dog. Unfortunately, an infected dog can still have parvo in their feces up to 8 weeks after having the virus. An infected dog can also spread the disease by directly coming into contact with other dogs and their objects. This is why it is important to isolate a dog for at least 2 months if they have parvo. A dog will usually start spreading the virus around 5 days after they are exposed. A dog with parvo can display a wide range of symptoms.
If you are worried about your dog spreading parvo through their species, you should check out our article on how to decontaminate soil from dog feces?
Symptoms of a dog with parvo
The main symptoms of parvo in a dog are diarrhea, blood in their stool, throwing up, high temperature, fatigue, loss of appetite, and loss in movement.
How long does parvo last in dogs?
A dog with parvo will usually display symptoms for 7-10 days. There are some dogs that are asymptomatic, so they can have parvo without showing any symptoms. This can be very dangerous because they can unknowingly spread it to other dogs. If you suspect your dog has parvo, you should take them to the vet immediately. The quicker parvo is treated, the better chance your dog has of survival. The survival rate of parvo in puppies is around 80%. It is also better to take a dog to the vet if you suspect parvo, because every day they are at home is another day they can spread parvo to another dog.
