Parvo Facts

Parvo, or parvovirus, is a potentially life-threatening disease that affects a dog's digestive system. The illness is particularly prevalent among puppies, and frequently leads to heart failure if left untreated. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms, treatment options and prevention methods for parvo.

Symptoms of Parvo

The parvovirus attaches itself to quickly dividing cells within the host's body. Due to the high rate of replication in the lining of the digestive system, the virus tends to propagate in the dog's intestinal tract. Here, the virus kills the healthy cells responsible for absorbing nutrients and liquids into the body. The most identifiable symptom associated with parvo is diarrhea. In many cases, blood or a foul odor may be present in the stool.

Vomiting, fever and loss of stamina are additional symptoms of the parvovirus. If left untreated, then the dog may suffer from dehydration, which can lead to death. Overtime, the parvo virus can also attack the heart. This can also lead to death through congestive heart failure.

Treatment for Parvo

Sadly, there is no cure for the parvovirus. However, in many cases the dog's natural immune system effectively fights off the virus and the dog makes a full recovery. To maximize a dog's chance for survival, steps must be taken to limit the negative effects of dehydration, loss of nutrition, excessive fever and improper electrolyte levels. If no such steps are taken, then the chance of the dog's survival is poor (estimated at about 20 percent).

As a result, it is extremely important to seek the guidance of an experienced veterinarian in the event you suspect parvo. The vet will attempt to optimize your dog's internal systems with the help of an IV drip and antibiotics. Since parvo affects a dog's health rapidly, it is important to administer such care as soon as possible. The estimated survival rate for dogs that receive palliative care is estimated somewhere between 80 and 50 percent.

Preventing Parvo in Dogs

The parvovirus is highly contagious. Adult dogs often carry the illness without showing any outward symptoms. The virus has also been shown to survive in contaminated fecal matter for as long as five months. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that you vaccinate your new puppy against the parvo virus at six to eight weeks of age. Additionally, contact with other animals during these first few weeks of life should be kept to a minimum. To minimize the spread of the disease among multiple dogs, steps should be taken to remove bowel movements from your yard and other areas.