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Canine parvovirus (also called parvo or CPV) is highly contagious and life-threatening, affecting dogs of all ages and breeds. It usually affects puppies, especially those without vaccines.
Despite the advancements in veterinary care, parvo remains a dangerous threat to many of our beloved pets.
In this article, we’ll discuss the causes and symptoms of parvo in dogs and the actions you need to take when your furry friends contract this deadly virus.
What is Parvo?
Parvo, or CPV, is a serious viral infection that can be life-threatening to unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies and young adult dogs with weak immune systems.
A study conducted at an animal center in Texas found that the mortality rate of parvo, if left untreated, can be more than 90%. For the dogs that received treatment, the survival rate was 87%.
What are the Signs of Canine Parvovirus?
Here are some of the signs that a dog may have been infected by canine parvovirus:
- Loss of appetite: Dogs may refuse food even when given their favorite treats due to discomfort.
- Dehydration: When dehydrated, a dog’s skin loses elasticity, especially in hot climates like Dubai or Cairo.
- Bloody diarrhea: Parvo often causes severe, bloody diarrhea.
- Lethargy: Dogs may lack the enthusiasm and energy for activities they usually enjoy.
- Nausea and vomiting: Vomiting that happens multiple times can make a dog feel nauseated.
- Stomach bloating and discomfort: Parvo may cause bloating and visible signs of pain.
- Hypothermia or fever: Dogs may develop fever, as well as hypothermia or extremely low body temperature.
Causes: How Do Dogs Get Parvo?
Canine parvovirus is contagious and easily spreads when an uninfected dog comes in direct contact with an infected dog. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to months, and dogs can also become infected when they come in contact with contaminated surfaces.
Parvo can be transmitted through a dog’s feces. And even in very small amounts, it can still be deadly. The virus can attach to any surface, like floors, bowls, leashes, and clothes. This is why it’s easy for a parvo outbreak to start in a neighborhood, even if only one dog gets infected.
Stages of Parvo in Dogs
There are several stages of parvo progression. Understanding these stages is important for dog owners so they can seek emergency pet medical care in case their pets get infected with parvo.
Stage 1: Initial Infection
The first stage is when the parvovirus enters the dog’s body. The virus attacks the dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract cells. Symptoms such as high fever, stomach pain, and severe diarrhea then appear.
Stage 2: Severe Illness
As the infection becomes worse, the diarrhea may become bloody and more frequent at this stage, leading to severe dehydration and weakness.
Stage 3: Septic Shock
A dog’s condition may rapidly worsen without immediate medical care, resulting in a septic shock. This is when the dog’s immune system becomes compromised, and its organs fail.
How Is Canine Parvovirus Diagnosed and Treated?
The most common method used nowadays is the fecal SNAP ELISA test or parvo SNAP test. This test detects parvo in a dog’s feces. However, it could give false negative results, so additional testing may be needed, such as:
- PCR or polymerase chain reaction testing may be more accurate but might take longer than a parvo SNAP test.
- Blood tests to get a dog’s white blood cell count, which significantly decreases when a dog is infected.
As there is no known cure for parvovirus, the treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Here are the common medications and care that pet hospitals and a vet clinic in Dubai give to dogs for parvo:
- Intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Medications for pain relief, vomit control, and antibiotics to fight bacterial infection.
- Nutritional support by manual oral feeding or using feeding tubes.
How Much Does Parvo Treatment Cost?
The cost of treating CV may vary based on different factors, such as the severity of the dog’s condition, how long the dog needs to be hospitalized, and the clinic’s location.
Here’s an overview of the costs you may expect:
- Outpatient treatment: less than $1000.
- Hospitalization: between $1000 and $2000, or it may be several thousand more when extensive treatment and longer hospitalization are needed.
A larger dog may require bigger doses of medication and the attention of more medical staff compared to a smaller dog. Still, a dog may not need to be hospitalized as long as parvo is diagnosed early. A veterinarian may give you specific instructions and a medication prescription to care for an infected dog at home.
With these treatment prices, it’s best to take your dog to the vet for parvo vaccine, which would be cheaper and safer. For example, parvo vaccines in Dubai may cost around AED 100-250 or $30-$70.
Recovery and Management of Parvo in Dogs
The recovery process for parvo may be long, painful, and stressful for both the dog and its owner. Once a dog is parvo-free, it may still need to be monitored and observed for recurring symptoms.
Here are some steps pet owners should take post-parvo:
- Keep your dog hydrated, especially if you’re located in an area with a tropical desert climate, such as Dubai, Lima, Las Vegas, and Arizona.
- Provide easy-to-digest dog food the veterinarian recommends before slowly switching back to its original diet.
- Sanitize your home, especially your dog’s sleeping and feeding areas, to ensure a parvo-free environment.
- Take your dog to follow-up vet appointments to check on its recovery progress.
How Long Does Parvo Last?
Parvo in dogs may last days to weeks, depending on the dog’s age and the severity of the infection.
Symptoms usually appear within seven days of infection. Then, it’ll be another week before the dog experiences the most severe signs, which is the most crucial phase of CV.
Improvements may show within 3 to 5 days of treatment, but a full recovery may take 1 to 2 weeks and longer for larger or older dogs. After recovery, dogs may shed the virus for up to 3 weeks, remaining contagious.
See also
Prevention & Care: How To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Parvo
Not all dogs survive canine parvovirus, which makes prevention the best strategy for any pet owner.
Apart from keeping your home clean and proper hygiene, the most important step towards prevention is ensuring your dog receives parvovirus vaccinations from a vet.
One study revealed that parvo vaccines are indeed effective. The results showed a higher parvo infection rate of 31% in unvaccinated dogs compared to 13% in vaccinated dogs.
Also, if there are any known parvo cases around your area, you should avoid taking your dogs out to socialize. In 2022, there were cases of parvo in Dubai that local vets believed to be a new virus strain.
If your dogs are still unvaccinated, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to inquire about vaccination options. Ensure they also receive all the booster shots needed to help protect them against canine parvovirus.
FAQs
Can a dog be cured of parvo?
There is no cure for canine parvovirus, but there are treatments that can help dogs recover. These treatments help manage symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications.
Can a dog get parvo twice?
Dogs can contract parvo more than once, but it’s quite rare. As dogs age, their immune systems weaken, so they might contract parvo even after getting infected in the past.
Can cats get parvo from dogs?
Cats cannot contract parvo from dogs as feline parvovirus is a different strain than canine parvovirus.
Can humans get parvo from dogs?
Humans can’t get infected with canine parvovirus. This virus is specific to dogs and poses no risks to humans.
Can a dog with parvo survive?
Many dogs survive parvovirus with immediate medical care. The survival rate of dogs from parvo can be as high as 87%. Without parvo vaccines, the chances of a dog’s survival are slim.
What is parvo vaccine?
Parvo vaccines are immunizations given to dogs for canine parvovirus protection. Puppies are given their first parvo vaccine shot at 6 to 8 weeks.
Can adult dogs get parvo?
Yes. Adult dogs can also get parvo. While puppies are the common target of this virus, older dogs, especially senior dogs, can also be affected since their immune systems weaken over time.
Author Byline: Dr. Soheyl Simaei is the head veterinarian and founder of Noble Veterinary Clinics, one of the leading vet clinics in Dubai since 2006. He has over 18 years of expertise in animal healthcare, with certifications in Dermatology and Internal Medicine.
