Dogs

previous 1| 2| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |11 | 12 |13 | 14 | 15 |16 | next

Important Infectious Diseases of Dogs

CANINE PARVOVIRUS

Parvovirus is a "new" disease that first occurred in the USA in early 1978. It soon established itself worldwide and was a major cause of dog deaths until dogs were vaccinated. It is currently the most important infectious disease in dogs that we see in Melbourne . The virus is very hardy and disinfecting contaminated places is very difficult. The virus is shed in the droppings of infected dogs and it can survive up to 12 months if protected from drying and sunlight. Normal disinfectants have no effect on it. It can be carried around on shoes, tires etc, so your pup can be exposed to the virus without actually contacting a carrier dog.

Symptoms

The virus attacks body cells, which are rapidly dividing. There are two distinct forms of the disease depending on the age of the pups. The bowel form of the disease is the one we see most commonly.

Parvoviral myocarditis occurs when the virus attacks the cells of the muscle in the heart. This occurs in pups affected at or before birth and the bitch has no immunity to the virus. Once the bitch has immunity she passes on some of it to the pups until they can develop their own and this form of the disease does not occur. When pups are affected with this form sudden death occurs in a litter of apparently healthy pups. Some pups survive longer and may show weakness. Death may occur up to 14 weeks of age due to heart failure. This form was commonest when the first outbreaks of parvo were occurring. There is no treatment for parvoviral myocarditis.

Parvovirus enteritis occurs in older pups and adult dogs when the virus attacks the cells of the gastrointestinal tract. These cells are rapidly dividing and cell turn-over is every couple of days. Cell death occurs so the lining of the tract can be completely removed. This causes diarrhoea, often with blood, vomiting, abdominal pain, fewer, loss of appetite and extreme depression. Pups are often collapsed with gums that are grey in colour. They will cry or moan if the tummies are touched and just touching them may be enough to cause them to vomit. Rapid dehydration and death can occur. Dogs of any age may be affected, but fatalities are more common in young dogs under 6 months, small breeds of dogs and in Dobermans and Rottweilers. Some adults will contract and fight off this disease without needing medical assistance.

Treatment

Treatment consists of intravenous fluids, antibiotics and general nursing support while the puppy fights the virus. The course of this disease is approximately a week and can be very expensive. Treatment is continued until vomiting and diarrhoea cease. This is a severely debilitating disease and secondary infections and organ damage can occur. Affected pups, which have cramping and an overactive gut, are prone to the gut telescoping inside itself. This must be urgently corrected with surgery; however most pups do survive this disease.

Prevention

Vaccination will prevent this disease. Parvo stimulates the immune symptoms extremely well so that the bitch should pass on lots of immunity to her pups. This immunity wears off over time and is variable from pup to pup, litter to litter. This is the reason we give 3 vaccinations for this disease, so that we are more likely to vaccinate just as this immunity wears off. Pups are considered to be at decreasing risk throughout the vaccination schedule and are not fully vaccinated until 10 - 14 days after their last shot. Vaccinations are given at 6- 8 weeks, 12- 14 weeks and at or over 16 weeks of age. Vaccinations are then given yearly although it is thought that immunity may last up to three years.

If it is necessary to clean up an environment contaminated with Parvovirus it is necessary to thoroughly clean and remove all organic material (faeces) before a disinfectant can be used. Anything that has been in contact with the infected dog should either be soaked in the suitable disinfectant or destroyed. Sunlight helps to destroy this virus so that after disinfecting, bedding should be dried in the sunshine. If in doubt then dispose of equipment or bedding. Parvocide is one suitable disinfectant. Use per manufacturers directions.

.

more...

back