What is Parvovirus?
The name may sound innocent enough but parvovirus (also referred to as Parvo) is a life threatening canine disease. This virus is highly contagious for your dog and if not treated by an experienced Veterinarian promptly, your dog could die before your eyes. The virus rapidly attacks the intestinal tract of dogs and is also known for causing cardiovascular damage in puppies. Rottweilers are particularly vulnerable to contracting parvovirus. There are various strains of the parvovirus but all are potentially deadly. In the meantime, you could help strengthen your dog's immune system by using a well known herbal product. Get more info on Parvo-K - Proven herbal dog Parvovirus treatment
How the virus is contracted:
Parvovirus is
transmitted from dog to dog or through infected surfaces and feces.
Wolfs, Coyotes and Foxes also transmit this virus. The virus could
also be transmitted by infected clothes or shoes when a person has
come in contact with an infected animal or contaminated surface.
Parvovirus is known to survive for up to 5 months on inanimate
objects. So, anytime you venture outside you and your dog are
potentially exposed to this virus.
Watch for bloody diarrhea along with vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. Your dog will also become lethargic, appearing to be exhausted. The loss of bodily fluids through vomiting and diarrhea will also lead to accelerated dehydration. Dogs that die from Parvovirus usually do so within three days, so it is vital that you rush your dog to your Veterinarian if you suspect parvovirus or observe the above noted symptoms.
How to protect your dog:
The best defence against this virus is to inoculate
your puppy against it, but this is easier said than done. A small
percentage of dogs that are properly vaccinated will still contract
the disease. Research indicates puppies are generally protected by
the mother’s milk but this immunity begins to wane when puppies are
between 5 – 6 weeks old. At this age the puppies may only have 30%
coverage which may vary from puppy to puppy. Initial vaccinations
may not be effective due to the lingering effect of the mother’s
antibodies. To
counteract this challenge, some veterinarians are now recommending
the following schedule, using Intervet’s Progard or
·
Three dosages between the ages of
6 to 16 weeks. For example – 6-10-14 or 8-12-16. The schedules will
vary from Veterinarian to Veterinarian and some Veterinarians will
recommend only two initial vaccinations vs. the three.
·
Booster vaccination at one year.
You could also ask your Veterinarian to do a titer
test (blood test)
to see what level of protection your dog has against parvovirus.
