Early signs of life-threatening canine parvovirus to look out for in your dog
A case of a fatal parvovirus has been confirmed by a Nottinghamshire veterinary clinic. Ranging from moderate to life-threatening, canine parvovirus symptoms appear suddenly and can worsen quickly.
The deadly virus is especially dangerous for puppies and unvaccinated dogs, and the earlier you catch it, the higher the chance of your pets survival. If in doubt, take your dog to the vets immediately.
What is parvovirus?
Parvovirus attacks the white blood cells and gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Heart muscle cells of very young puppies can also be damaged by parvovirus. It is spread through either direct or indirect contact with an infected dog’s faeces.
Serious infection is preventable with the right vaccinations, but this makes puppies and unvaccinated dogs especially vulnerable and likely to fall extremely ill if they catch it.
The virus is particularly notorious because it can survive on surfaces for up to six months. Dogs can come into contact with the virus on the ground, through clothing, objects and people’s hands.
Early signs of parvovirus
A dog with parvovirus starts to show symptoms within three to seven days of infection. Early signs of parvo include:
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Fever
As the infection progresses, other symptoms develop which include:
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
What to do if you think your dog has parvovirus
If you suspect your dog has parvovirus, you should take them to the vets straight away and keep them away from other dogs. Your vet will test for parvo and create a treatment plan, which usually involves your dog being hospitalised for 24/7 monitoring.
Infected dogs might also be treated with a drip to prevent dehydration, pain medications, drugs to control vomiting, antibiotics for secondary infections or a plasma transfusion. The chances of your dog surviving are higher if you catch symptoms early on.
How long does parvovirus last?
Infected dogs can be hospitalised for up to a week before continuing treatment at home. Treatment can be very expensive due to the long recovery time.
Most dogs are considered fully recovered two to three weeks after the initial onset of symptoms.
How to prevent parvovirus
The easiest and most effective way to prevent parvovirus is to vaccinate your pup and keep your dog away from unvaccinated dogs if they are not vaccinated themselves. Puppies should receive their first vaccine between 6 and 10 weeks old, a second vaccine 2 to 4 weeks later, and a third vaccine when they're older than 16 weeks.
Adult dogs require booster shots throughout their lives to maintain immunity. Drugs that kill the virus itself do not exist, so it is best to vaccinate your dog as soon as possible to protect them from infection.