Dog Parvo Symptoms

About Parvo

Mention the word "parvo" and you instantly strike fear into any dog lover's heart. This powerful and deadly virus has been the cause of many dogs' deaths, especially puppies. Parvovirus requires swift action to help an infected dog survive.

Most dogs experience the intestinal form of parvo, but this is not the only form the virus can take.

Recognize Dog Parvo Symptoms

Symptoms of Intestinal Parvo

Intestinal parvo is the most common form of the disease. This is the "classic parvo" that most owners and vets see on a regular basis. The virus is ingested by eating contaminated feces and soil, leading to a rapid build up of the virus in the dog's lymphatic system. From this point, the virus is transmitted through the bloodstream to launch an attack.

Intestinal dog parvo symptoms include:

• Onset of lethargy: A normally healthy dog may suddenly seem weak and uninterested in his surroundings, even failing to respond to his favorite person. This is usually the first sign of trouble, and further symptoms usually kick in within 24 hours.
• Violent vomiting: This is one of the hallmarks of parvovirus. An infected dog will vomit uncontrollably, and continue to heave violently even after the stomach has been emptied.
• Severe diarrhea: This is the other primary symptom of parvo, and it is quite severe. As with the vomiting, the dog will continue to experience bowel spasms even after the tract has been emptied. The diarrhea is often mixed with blood.

Symptoms of Rare Cardiac Parvo

In rare cases, the parvovirus will head straight for the heart and attack the tissues and vessels. This causes massive internal bleeding that in turn leads to death.

The cardiac form of parvo is usually transmitted to unborn pups via the uterus of an infected mother. Cardiac dog parvo symptoms are sparse and come on quite rapidly.

You will only notice:

• Rapid breathing from the pup
• Sudden death

Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do in a case like this.

Supportive Treatment for Parvo

Unfortunately, there is no medication or treatment available that will wipe out parvovirus from your dog's system once it has struck. Vets can only provide supportive measures to keep your dog going while his immune system tries to fight off the virus.

These include:

• Hydration: Since copious vomiting and diarrhea can quickly throw a pet into dehydration, it is of primary importance to replace the fluids being lost. Without such measures, the canine patient will almost certainly die. Hydration is typically carried out by administering IV fluids containing a balance of electrolytes in a hospital setting. In the event an owner cannot afford hospitalization, some vets are willing to administer large doses of fluid injected subcutaneously. This creates a "bag of fluid just beneath the skin that the dog's body will slowly absorb.
• Anti-nausea medication: It's important to stop the vomiting as quickly as possible to ward off the risk of dehydration. Anti-nausea medication can quiet the brain's message to the stomach to throw up, and this in turn makes the dog more comfortable and less likely to dehydrate. Like IV fluids, this medication is delivered intravenously to be most effective.

If a dog survives the initial bout with parvo, there is still a risk of collapse during the recovery period. The dog must be gradually weaned off the IV fluid and slowly reintroduced to a bland diet and water. Perhaps the greatest risk at this time is the patient's vulnerability to secondary infections. This is because the immune system is usually depleted from the major battle and too exhausted to fight off opportunistic bacteria and other viruses. A vet will often prescribe a round of antibiotics to guard against bacterial infections during the recovery period.

Prevention

With treatment measures being limited, prevention is of prime importance to protect your dog from the parvovirus. All dogs should be vaccinated against this virus on a schedule recommended by your veterinarian. Failure to vaccinate leaves your dog at risk to contract the virus every time he meets another dog or takes a walk in public. This scenario may seem dramatic, but parvo is a very dramatic illness that carries dire consequences, so be proactive and have your dog vaccinated.