The Tribune

By Dr Basil Sands

Parvo Viral Enteritis (or PARVO) for short is a relatively new disease. This highly contagious and often lethal virus was first identified in 1978 and is found throughout the world. While the exact source of this new virus remains unclear, most suspect it resulted from a mutation in a feline Parvo virus. This mutated cat virus had developed the ability to infect dogs- and did it ever.

This new virus, we now know as Canine Parvo Virus spread throughout this worldwide dog population during the late seventies, and as some of you may remember infected and killed many dogs young and old. There was little veterinarians could do to help.

Ultimately effective vaccines were developed and the epidemic slowed, but the problem was far from eradicated. In fact, because of this I have had to make a bigger isolation area at my hospital.

Originally, this virus infected dogs of all ages, but now with rare exceptions, it is a disease of young dogs less than a year of age. Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers seem to be more severely affected by Parvo virus than other breeds are. The highest incidence of CPV occurs in kennels, pet stores, shelters and poor quality breeding facilities.

Hallmark symptoms of Parvo infection are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and listlessness. These symptoms often come on very quickly so it is not unusual to hear that a puppy seemed fine in the morning but was sick by the afternoon.

Unfortunately, these symptoms are rather non-specific; that is to say illnesses other than PARVO can show the same symptoms. Your veterinarian should examine any dog exhibiting vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite and listlessness.

Your vet can diagnose Parvo infection with a fecal test that screens for this virus in the blood. Additionally certain blood tests can help with developing a treatment plan and in determining a prognosis for recovery. Caring for a dog with Parvo is no small task. Understand that there is no medicine we can give these patients that will kill the virus.

Puppies that recover from this illness do so only because their immune system can summon the ability to rid the virus. Such therapy involves supportive care with fluid to replace fluid losses from the vomiting and diarrhea and prevent dehydration.

Antibiotics are very important since the virus temporarily damages the gut lining, which can allow intestinal bacteria access to the blood stream. Since these patients are vomiting and cannot hold down any orally administered fluid and medicines most cases require hospitalisation with fluid and medicines administered intravenously. These patients are definitely in the I.C.U/Isolation ward of the veterinary hospital. Hospital stays can vary from a day or two in mild cases to a week or more in severe cases.

If there is any good news here, it is that PARVO is largely a preventable disease. Good quality vaccines given at the appropriate times during puppy hood with boosters in adulthood can prevent most infections.

Vaccination is not a guarantee, but it will dramatically reduce a dog's chances of contracting this dreaded illness. This is not the time to be "penny wise and pound foolish". The nominal cost of vaccination pales in comparison to the potential cost of treatment. Even worse than the potential costs, nothing can be worse than this loss of a beloved new family member. Vaccinate your dog - save a life. Be wise and immunize.