Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Parvovirus and Your Dog

Parvovirus (Parvo usually) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is much more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious consequences for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in rapidly dividing cells of the intestine of the dog. Because the virus attacks and kills cells and causes massive diarrhea stops or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, lethargy and depression. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite and finally signs of more serious such as vomiting and diarrhea, often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage of dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of infected animals also harbor the virus is low and can survive outside the body of your dog in the area, while nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as carriers of the virus transmission to other animals in contact with.

There is no cure for parvo. Dogs who are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. This treatment is mainly to provide fluids, repeated blood transfusions, and prevent dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, approximately 80% of those infected die. It is a very serious illness.

Parvo is especially for certain breeds of dogs more than others. Doberman, Rottweiler and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason is unknown, but the fact that these dogs are more at risk does not mean that the owners of other types of dogs can rest easy. Dogs of a breed can be infected.

Although no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against the disease at a young age. Most vets recommend puppies be vaccinated from six weeks of life with vaccinations remains of twenty weeks old. Adequate immunization is the best way to avoid contracting a dog to parvo.

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