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How to Help Dogs with Parvovirus

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Dr. Brooke West from West Toledo Animal Hospital introduces a dog who survived parvovirus, a virus that attacks rapidly dividing cells. There is no cure for parvovirus, but Dr. West talks about ways to support a dog with the disease.

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The survival rate is approximately 70%

Death usually comes from the inevitable symptoms of dehydration, deadly bacterial infections or toxins in bloodstreams, or a intestinal hemorrhage.

Parvovirus cases occur frequently in clusters throughout the US, most recently occurring the Washington, where four fatal cases have been detected.

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The epidemic in canines of the 70's, creating many headlines.

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Sgro, Jean-Yves. Parvovirus Particle. Digital image. VIRUSWORLD. Institute for Molecular Virology, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.virology.wisc.edu/virusworld/viruslist.php?virus=cpv>

Dog Anatomy Diagram. Digital image. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell University, n.d. Web. `16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.vet.cornell.edu/baker/about/articles/images/oldparvoright_000.jpg>.

Parvovirus Life Cycle. Digital image. Centro De Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa. CBM, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.cbm.uam.es/joomla-rl/images/Grupos/B.Virologia/B020.JMAlmendral/fig03.png>.

Newspaper Headlines of CPV. Digital image. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015. <http://www.vet.cornell.edu/baker/about/articles/images/HistoryRight1.jpg>.

West, B. (Writer). (2012, July 23). How to Help Dogs with Parvovirus [Television series episode]. InNBC 24 WNWO TODAY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQF5JhZXiOQ

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There are no drugs available that can kill the virus as of now, and any dogs infected with the parvovirus need good treatment at a veterinary hospital. There they receive antibiotics, antiemetics to curb vomiting, nutrition therapy, anthelmintics, H2 Blockers, and intravenous fluids. The treatment lasts from 5-7 days, and it doesn’t always work, which is why getting dogs vaccinated is of such importance.

Parvo should be considered an extremely important vaccine for all young dogs, and it’s important to keep dogs up to date on all necessary vaccinations. There is one particularly common vaccine called a “5-in-1” that protects the dog from leptospirosis, hepatitis, distemper, parvovirus and parainfluenza, and it is highly suggested that puppies receive this vaccine.

Parvo is a viral infection, so there is no real cure for it. Treatments focus on lessening the symptoms that come with the virus and preventing any secondary bacterial infections.

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Parvo in Dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_canine_parvovirus_infection

Parvo (Parvovirus) in Dogs. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/parvo-parvovirus-dogs

Butler, J. (2014, May 12). Parvo In Dogs: Warning Signs And Prevention of Parvovirus. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.caninejournal.com/parvo-in-dogs/

Canine Parvovirus. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.vet.cornell.edu/baker/about/articles/CanineParvovirus.cfm

Mayo Clinic, S. (n.d.). Parvovirus infection. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parvovirus-infection/basics/definition/con-20023045

Press, T. (2015, November 16). Parvovirus cases confirmed in Washington; disease can be deadly to dogs. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2015/11/parvovirus_cases_confirmed_in.html

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The virus has a lytic lifecycle. As shown, the virus injects its genetic material into the cell.

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Parvovirus attacks the small intestines of canines, causing digestive problems.

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The Canine Parvovirus first appeared in dogs in Europe in 1976. Within two years, the virus spread worldwide and became an epidemic for all of the canine species. The infected canines suffered myocarditis and gastroenteritis

Parvovirus is thought to be a mutation of a past virus in felines known as Feline Panleukopenia Virus, from the 1920’s.

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Attacks the heart organ of young puppies

Causes respiratory and cardiovascular failure

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Symptoms begin to appear 3-10 days after the canine is exposed to the virus.

Most distinctly, a bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea that can lead to life-threatening dehydration, as well as lethargy, severe vomiting, and general loss of appetite.

Parvovirus comes in one of two streams: Intestinal or Cardiac form.

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Vomiting

Diarrhea

Severe weight loss

Lack of appetite (anorexia)

Lethargy

Dehydration

Fever

Seizures

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Puppies, adolescent dogs and canines are susceptible to the virus.

The canine parvovirus affects most members of the dog family (wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc.).

Breeds at particularly higher risk include Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Labrador retrievers, American Staffordshire terriers and German shepherds.

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Acute gastrointestinal illness in puppies.

Rare variant of the disease in puppies is myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)

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Parvo is a highly contagious virus. It can be transmitted through any creature or object that happens to come in contact with the feces of an infected dog. It is highly resistant, and can survive out in the environment for more than a year without even needing to come in contact with a dog.

It is very common for dogs that have not been vaccinated to contract the virus, especially in areas where there are many dogs about. Because of this, it is of utmost importance that all dogs get vaccinated as soon as possible.