Symptoms of Parvovirus Infection in Dogs
Parvovirus is a disease that affects dogs of all ages, but especially strikes puppies, elderly dogs and dogs with compromised immune systems. Dogs and puppies stricken with parvovirus or "parvo," as it is commonly called, have a 50 percent mortality rate. This article discusses parvovirus and its symptoms.
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Parvovirus Origins
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No one knows where canine parvovirus originated, although it appeared in the early 1970s. Some have theorized that canine parvovirus is actually a mutation of feline distemper (feline panleukopenia virus), although there is no evidence of that.
How Parvovirus Infects Dogs
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Parvovirus is contracted through direct contact between an infected dog and another dog, but some dogs are asymptomatic (do not have symptoms of parvovirus) when they contract it and can still be carriers to others. Parvovirus is also contracted through ingesting fecal matter and may be present in soil long after the feces has broken down and disappeared.
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Parvovirus Incubation and Transmission
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Parvovirus symptoms appear after an incubation period of three to eight days. Dogs who have been infected with parvovirus may continue to shed the virus in their feces for up to three weeks after the symptoms have disappeared.
Parvovirus Myocarditis
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One form of parvovirus is an infection in the heart and circulatory system, especially in puppies younger than 6 weeks. In the parvovirus myocarditis (heart and lung infection), the puppy may experience fluid building up in the lungs and will have difficulty breathing, coughing up blood and fluid; his lips may turn blue; and he may fade and die.
Parvovirus Gastroenteritis
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In the parvovirus gastroenteritis (stomach and intestine infection), the puppy or dog may have vomiting and diarrhea (often mucus- and blood-filled), dehydration, a high fever over 103 F and lack of appetite and may be extremely lethargic.
Parvovirus Prevention
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Parvovirus is preventable with vaccinations, and while vaccinations occasionally fail, your dog is much more likely to avoid contracting parvovirus if vaccinated than without vaccinations. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations concerning vaccination schedules.
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