Canine Parvovirus
What is parvo?
Parvo is a deadly virus that causes severe and painful gastroenteritis. Dogs become infected when they come into contact with contaminated faeces. This may be in parks or streets, on shoes, clothing, car tyres, dog bowls, etc. Parvo can survive in the environment for over a year, even in extreme temperatures. The virus first emerged in the 1970's. There have been several new strains evolve over time. The latest strain Strain Pc1 hasnt been detected in Australia as yet.
Which dogs are at risk?
HIGH RISK GROUP:
* Young unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dogs under 2 years.
* Unvaccinated property dogs under 4 years.
Young unvaccinated dogs (2 years) are at the greatest risk of classic parvo. However, older unvaccinated dogs can still be affected. Puppies affected in the mother’s uterus or in the first 10 days of life can develop heart failure. This occurs when the bitch cannot pass on any protection to the puppies. Breeding bitches should be vaccinated prior to mating and given a Parvac vaccine (a killed vaccine which gives safe BUT TEMPORARY immunity) 2 weeks prior to whelping.
In recent years we have had several devastating incidences on properties. Isolated working dogs have no "street immunity" to common infectious diseases.
The isolation which keeps property dogs safe from Parvo, can also prove to be deadly in that they remain immune-niave. In a recent case a group of working dogs stayed overnight (1 night) in town in a yard where there had been no dogs for a very long time. The only contact these dogs had with other dogs was sniffing noses through the fence with a group of town dogs. Three of these dogs then developed Parvo and then placed others on the property at risk and potentially created an ongoing contamination risk on that property.
What to look for:
- Lethargic/depressed
- Impatient/off food/rapid weight loss
- Fever
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomitting
- Diarrhoea - may be watery or bloody with a foul smell
Disease takes up to one week to develop, so keep an eye on your dog after it has been in a high-risk environment.
Can parvo be treated?
Dogs die due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, endotoxic shock and overwhelming bacterial sepsis later in the course of the illness. Treatment is largely supportive – aggressive fluid therapy in hospital or at home, antibiotics and very importantly pain relief.
Treatment options include hospitalisation in our isolation area (est. fee $800 to $1500); diligent home nursing (est. fee for consultation/necessary drugs $90). Frequently, if a puppy is thought to be suffering too much, euthanasia will be encouraged.
But the take home message is that PARVO IS PREVENTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can I protect my dog?
Vaccination has traditionally been recommended at 6 and 12 weeks of age with an optional booster at 16 weeks, then yearly. It has now been scientifically proven that vaccinations at 6, 9 and 12 weeks gives superior protection. We will be strongly recommending this regime to give your best mate the best chance against this potentially fatal disease. There is also a 3 yearly Parvo booster available , however we do not recommend this in dogs under 2 in our client area.
- Pets and dogs living in town areas:
Vaccinate at 6, 9 and 12 weeks then yearly for the dogs life. Vaccination has NEVER been reported to cause disease. However if your dog is in the incubation period, giving a vaccine will not prevent the disease developing. Sadly, if you hurry into your vet to have your puppy vaccinated because your mate's pup has Parvo, your puppy may already be infected and the vaccine may not be able to work in time. Likewise if your puppy is late for his or her puppy boosters they will not be protected.
- Isolated property dogs:
Vaccinate at 6,9 and 12 weeks with a booster at 14 moths of age. The idealy at 2 years give Protech C3 Duramune for a further 3 years protection. Some property owners opt to give vaccines at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and then the better dogs at 12 mpnths only and seem to stay our of trouble.
- Avoid contact with virus - Keep away from high-risk environments (ANY public place) until 20 weeks of age.
- Quarantine affected animals for 2-4 weeks on an area that can be later decontaminated (eg cement). Once grassed or dirt areas are contaminated with virus (via vomit or diarrhoea) it is not possible to effectively decontaminate these areas. Very few disinfecting agents are affective against viruses. Some people use a product called Phenol. We use a parvocide called "Trigene" which is very affective against the Parvo Virus. It is available from the clinic in 1L and 5L containers.
Back to Articles of Interest
What is parvo?
Parvo is a deadly virus that causes severe and painful gastroenteritis. Dogs become infected when they come into contact with contaminated faeces. This may be in parks or streets, on shoes, clothing, car tyres, dog bowls, etc. Parvo can survive in the environment for over a year, even in extreme temperatures. The virus first emerged in the 1970's. There have been several new strains evolve over time. The latest strain Strain Pc1 hasnt been detected in Australia as yet.
Which dogs are at risk?
HIGH RISK GROUP:
* Young unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dogs under 2 years.
* Unvaccinated property dogs under 4 years.
Young unvaccinated dogs (2 years) are at the greatest risk of classic parvo. However, older unvaccinated dogs can still be affected. Puppies affected in the mother’s uterus or in the first 10 days of life can develop heart failure. This occurs when the bitch cannot pass on any protection to the puppies. Breeding bitches should be vaccinated prior to mating and given a Parvac vaccine (a killed vaccine which gives safe BUT TEMPORARY immunity) 2 weeks prior to whelping.
In recent years we have had several devastating incidences on properties. Isolated working dogs have no "street immunity" to common infectious diseases.
The isolation which keeps property dogs safe from Parvo, can also prove to be deadly in that they remain immune-niave. In a recent case a group of working dogs stayed overnight (1 night) in town in a yard where there had been no dogs for a very long time. The only contact these dogs had with other dogs was sniffing noses through the fence with a group of town dogs. Three of these dogs then developed Parvo and then placed others on the property at risk and potentially created an ongoing contamination risk on that property.
What to look for:
- Lethargic/depressed
- Impatient/off food/rapid weight loss
- Fever
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomitting
- Diarrhoea - may be watery or bloody with a foul smell
Disease takes up to one week to develop, so keep an eye on your dog after it has been in a high-risk environment.
Can parvo be treated?
Dogs die due to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, endotoxic shock and overwhelming bacterial sepsis later in the course of the illness. Treatment is largely supportive – aggressive fluid therapy in hospital or at home, antibiotics and very importantly pain relief.
Treatment options include hospitalisation in our isolation area (est. fee $800 to $1500); diligent home nursing (est. fee for consultation/necessary drugs $90). Frequently, if a puppy is thought to be suffering too much, euthanasia will be encouraged.
But the take home message is that PARVO IS PREVENTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can I protect my dog?
Vaccination has traditionally been recommended at 6 and 12 weeks of age with an optional booster at 16 weeks, then yearly. It has now been scientifically proven that vaccinations at 6, 9 and 12 weeks gives superior protection. We will be strongly recommending this regime to give your best mate the best chance against this potentially fatal disease. There is also a 3 yearly Parvo booster available , however we do not recommend this in dogs under 2 in our client area.
- Pets and dogs living in town areas:
Vaccinate at 6, 9 and 12 weeks then yearly for the dogs life. Vaccination has NEVER been reported to cause disease. However if your dog is in the incubation period, giving a vaccine will not prevent the disease developing. Sadly, if you hurry into your vet to have your puppy vaccinated because your mate's pup has Parvo, your puppy may already be infected and the vaccine may not be able to work in time. Likewise if your puppy is late for his or her puppy boosters they will not be protected.
- Isolated property dogs:
Vaccinate at 6,9 and 12 weeks with a booster at 14 moths of age. The idealy at 2 years give Protech C3 Duramune for a further 3 years protection. Some property owners opt to give vaccines at 6 weeks, 12 weeks and then the better dogs at 12 mpnths only and seem to stay our of trouble.
- Avoid contact with virus - Keep away from high-risk environments (ANY public place) until 20 weeks of age.
- Quarantine affected animals for 2-4 weeks on an area that can be later decontaminated (eg cement). Once grassed or dirt areas are contaminated with virus (via vomit or diarrhoea) it is not possible to effectively decontaminate these areas. Very few disinfecting agents are affective against viruses. Some people use a product called Phenol. We use a parvocide called "Trigene" which is very affective against the Parvo Virus. It is available from the clinic in 1L and 5L containers.
Back to Articles of Interest
