Outbreaks of the contagious parvovirus are serious and require immediate attention and isolation to prevent this deadly virus from spreading.
According to the Baker Institute for Animal Health, canine parvovirus (also known as CPV or parvo) “is a highly contagious viral disease … that commonly causes acute gastrointestinal illness.” While the disease commonly infects pups between 6 and 20 weeks old, older dogs can also be affected.
Around 1976, CPV emerged among European dogs. Just two short years later, the virus had spread around the globe causing myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) and gastroenteritis (intestinal inflammation).
To understand what parvovirus is and how to protect your dog against this disease, it’s important to understand the basics.
Canine Parvovirus: 101
- Parvo is highly contagious, but not all dogs exposed to the virus will be infected. Also, all dogs will not exhibit the same symptoms.
- According to USA Today, there are 900 cases diagnosed each day in the United States with approximately 330,000 cases annually.
- If left untreated, the mortality rate is as high as 91%.
- Puppies under 6 months and unvaccinated dogs are at the highest risk of infection. In addition, puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months “are also more susceptible to second infections” and life-threatening dehydration.
- CPV is closely related to FPV (feline panleukopenia). It is believed several mutations of FPV allowed it to begin infecting wild and domesticated canines.
- Parvo can also affect wildlife including coyotes, wolves, foxes, raccoons, and skunks.
- With the availability of effective vaccines, the deadly parvovirus affects puppies less frequently today.
Parvovirus: Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of parvo early is critical in receiving appropriate medical treatment. A recent study indicated only 44% of dog owners know what parvo is and 20% have no idea, so knowledge is key.
Parvo symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea that is foul-smelling with blood.
- Vomiting.
- Lethargy.
- Collapse.
- Depression.
- High fever.
- Shock.
Since symptoms can take from 3 to 7 days to emerge after exposure, avoid potentially contaminated areas (like dog parks) or businesses (like doggy daycares or kennels) after cases of parvovirus have been confirmed.
NOTE: Bouts of bloody diarrhea and/or vomiting may – or may not – indicate CPV. Your vet can properly diagnose the presence of parvo with the ELISA and PCR tests with fecal samples. The ELISA test can be completed in less than 15 minutes in the vet’s office (but can occasionally produce misleading results) while the more effective PCR test needs to be sent to a laboratory specialized in PCR-based testing. Your vet may also do a white blood cell count. Since parvovirus first infects the bone marrow, a low white blood count is a strong indication of CPV infection.
How CPV Spreads
- Unlike other canine diseases, direct contact with another infected dog is not required to spread parvo. The parvovirus can spread through body fluids including poop and vomit. In fact, dogs can catch parvo by simply sniffing an infected dog’s feces.
- Parvo can also survive outside the dog’s body for six months and more and also resist heat and cold. So, if there has been a parvo outbreak in your area, keep your dog away from places where dogs gather as this virus can survive on surfaces (including bedding, food and water bowls, toys, grass and more) for months or even years.
Dogs Infected with Parvo: Treatment
The primary treatment for dogs with parvo involves the management and supportive care of the symptoms. In other words, treatments seek to alleviate the symptoms but they cannot fight or cure the virus.
Supportive treatments include:
- Intravenous fluids and nutrients since the infected intestinal tract cannot effectively absorb or even tolerate them.
- Possible blood transfusions to boost low blood cell counts.
- Intravenous or injected antibiotics.
- Medications for nausea and diarrhea.
Dogs who recover from a CPV infection retain immunity throughout their life against the strain that infected them. However, it is possible for a recovered dog to become reinfected with another CPV strain, but it’s not common. The parvo vaccine will protect dogs against all the virus strains.
The Game-Changing Treatment for Parvovirus
In the spring of 2023, Elanco announced their revolutionary development of the first-ever targeted treatment for K9 parvovirus called the Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody. (Monoclonal antibodies are man-made proteins able to act like natural antibodies in the immune system.)
Hailed as a breakthrough treatment for the deadly CPV, this new antibody is a single, intravenous treatment to save more infected puppies and adult dogs. The treatment binds itself to the virus directly blocking entry into any host cells stopping the virus in its tracks before it can cause destruction.
Clinical trials have revealed:
- Lower mortality rates (no infected dogs died after receiving the new antibody).
- Shorter hospitalizations.
- Faster healing and resolution of symptoms.
Read about Cookie the Pitbull mix puppy and her harrowing experience with parvovirus at just 8 weeks old and the new antibody treatment she received at The Fix Project Clinic.
The Final Word
While there are treatment options today to support a dog’s recovery from parvovirus, prevention is preferred. Once a dog is infected with parvo, 24/7 treatment is intensive and costly usually requiring a hospital stay (of 3-5 days) with no guaranteed outcome. The current vaccinations are very effective when given every 3-4 weeks when the puppy is 6 weeks or older until 16 weeks of age. One year later, a booster vaccination is recommended with additional boosters at 3-year intervals. Protect your dog against this deadly disease and the associated pain by properly vaccinating your puppy and adult dog.
Stay tuned to our monthly blog to learn how to keep your Corso healthy, well-exercised, mentally sharp and happy!
Proud to be the Best Cane Corso Breeders in Northeast Texas!
Our Mission Statement
To nourish the Cane Corso spirit by raising our dogs in an enriched environment and to increase the health, intelligence, and emotional stability of the Cane Corso. We strive to produce puppies that are healthy, highly intelligent, mentally stable and capable of going into any type of working dog, show dog, or family life desired by their humans.
Reach out to us at Info@DaBoyzCaneCorso.com!
