Canine Parvovirus
At the Moab Veterinary Clinic, we treat approximately 24 parvo cases every year and while that may not sound like very many this means just under half of the cases we test for parvo are positive. Of those that test positive, 35% do not survive despite hospitalized care. So just what is parvo and why is it such a big deal?
Canine parvovirus is, as the name suggests, a virus that invades the intestinal wall and causes inflammation. This virus is highly contagious between dogs and the most at risk are dogs and puppies that are unvaccinated. Canine parvovirus is so contagious that we have seen it spread through entire litters and households. The virus is very resistant to many detergents, disinfectants, alcohol, heat, cold, humidity, and even drying. Clothing, feces, toys, dishes, the environment (dog parks or other areas dogs frequent), and even people can be sources of infection. It can be transported from one environment to another on shoes or the feet of animals. Direct contact is not required. The best way to clean an area or items contaminated by parvo is with a chlorine bleach solution, using a half cup of bleach per one gallon of water. There is no evidence currently to suggest that canine parvovirus can be transmitted to cats or humans.
While parvovirus can present differently in individuals it generally begins with lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diarrhea is typically bloody, but not always. Parvovirus also tends to strike quickly, but not all cases are the same. Parvovirus has an incubation period of three to seven days and the virus typically begins to deplete the body of its white blood cells that help protect against infection. The virus then begins to attack the gastrointestinal tract, which causes the vomiting and diarrhea commonly associated with canine parvovirus. The intestinal wall that is attacked is an important barrier to prevent bacteria from moving into the body. It also helps protect against fluid loss and absorbs nutrients. The damage to the intestinal wall results in dehydration and possible sepsis (infection of the blood).
To confirm canine parvovirus infection, the veterinarians at the Moab Veterinary Clinic run a “snap” test. This test reacts with an antigen found in the feces of patients that are positive for the canine parvovirus, takes eight to ten minutes to run, and is done “in house”.
Treatment for canine parvovirus involves hospitalization with intensive care and monitoring in an isolated ward. Patients are on IV fluids, antibiotic injections, and injections to reduce nausea if vomiting. Patients may be hospitalized for over seven days and cost of treatment ranges from $800 to $1000 as of 2019. Sometimes patients are hospitalized for less time if they are not as severely affected.
As of December of 2022, a vaccination for canine parvovirus (which also includes distemper and other diseases) costs $25. We also offer a “puppy package” for $83 (please be aware prices go up at the beginning of each new year due to inflation and prices may fluctuate throughout the year due to vaccine manufacturers increasing their prices). Puppies get immunity from their mothers and this immunity wanes as a puppy grows older. For optimal protection, puppies should receive a “set” of vaccinations every 3-4 weeks for a total of three “sets”. The last “set” includes a vaccination for rabies which is required by law. Once puppies are fully vaccinated they can safely play with other dogs and visit areas frequented by dogs such as dog parks.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/parvovirus-in-dogs
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/about-us/animal-health-articles/canine-parvovirus
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-small-animals/canine-parvovirus
https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/canine-parvovirus.aspx
Canine parvovirus is, as the name suggests, a virus that invades the intestinal wall and causes inflammation. This virus is highly contagious between dogs and the most at risk are dogs and puppies that are unvaccinated. Canine parvovirus is so contagious that we have seen it spread through entire litters and households. The virus is very resistant to many detergents, disinfectants, alcohol, heat, cold, humidity, and even drying. Clothing, feces, toys, dishes, the environment (dog parks or other areas dogs frequent), and even people can be sources of infection. It can be transported from one environment to another on shoes or the feet of animals. Direct contact is not required. The best way to clean an area or items contaminated by parvo is with a chlorine bleach solution, using a half cup of bleach per one gallon of water. There is no evidence currently to suggest that canine parvovirus can be transmitted to cats or humans.
While parvovirus can present differently in individuals it generally begins with lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diarrhea is typically bloody, but not always. Parvovirus also tends to strike quickly, but not all cases are the same. Parvovirus has an incubation period of three to seven days and the virus typically begins to deplete the body of its white blood cells that help protect against infection. The virus then begins to attack the gastrointestinal tract, which causes the vomiting and diarrhea commonly associated with canine parvovirus. The intestinal wall that is attacked is an important barrier to prevent bacteria from moving into the body. It also helps protect against fluid loss and absorbs nutrients. The damage to the intestinal wall results in dehydration and possible sepsis (infection of the blood).
To confirm canine parvovirus infection, the veterinarians at the Moab Veterinary Clinic run a “snap” test. This test reacts with an antigen found in the feces of patients that are positive for the canine parvovirus, takes eight to ten minutes to run, and is done “in house”.
Treatment for canine parvovirus involves hospitalization with intensive care and monitoring in an isolated ward. Patients are on IV fluids, antibiotic injections, and injections to reduce nausea if vomiting. Patients may be hospitalized for over seven days and cost of treatment ranges from $800 to $1000 as of 2019. Sometimes patients are hospitalized for less time if they are not as severely affected.
As of December of 2022, a vaccination for canine parvovirus (which also includes distemper and other diseases) costs $25. We also offer a “puppy package” for $83 (please be aware prices go up at the beginning of each new year due to inflation and prices may fluctuate throughout the year due to vaccine manufacturers increasing their prices). Puppies get immunity from their mothers and this immunity wanes as a puppy grows older. For optimal protection, puppies should receive a “set” of vaccinations every 3-4 weeks for a total of three “sets”. The last “set” includes a vaccination for rabies which is required by law. Once puppies are fully vaccinated they can safely play with other dogs and visit areas frequented by dogs such as dog parks.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/parvovirus-in-dogs
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/about-us/animal-health-articles/canine-parvovirus
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-small-animals/canine-parvovirus
https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/canine-parvovirus.aspx
