What Causes Parvo?
lot of pet owners think that dog parvo is such a very rare disease. Actually, it isn’t that rare. All dogs are prone to this disease, especially if they are exposed to the risk factors. If you have a dog, it isn’t enough to be informed about the disease. You also have to send your dog to the vet for the necessary vaccines.
It also isn’t enough to know that the rest of the dogs in your neighborhood are given dog parvo shots. Individually, your dog has to be protected from it too. One of the places where your dog can acquire this disease is right inside your yard. The virus could be lurking in the grass just outside your door and your dog may accidentally come in contact with it. You certainly don’t want this to happen.
It also isn’t enough to know that the rest of the dogs in your neighborhood are given dog parvo shots. Individually, your dog has to be protected from it too. One of the places where your dog can acquire this disease is right inside your yard. The virus could be lurking in the grass just outside your door and your dog may accidentally come in contact with it. You certainly don’t want this to happen.
A dog protected from parvo doesn’t necessarily mean that it is totally free from the virus itself. The dog can still be a carrier of the disease, without anyone else knowing about it. The most common way to transmit dog parvo is through sniffing, licking, or getting in contact with the feces of a dog that may have it.
The virus is so small, that you can’t see it. You never know if it is flying about in the air and your dogs have inhaled it. There are some studies being conducted to discover if the parvo virus is indeed air-borne. If proven, this could be the scariest fact about the disease. Just imagine your dog acquiring it as easily as the common cold.
The real cause of this disease is unknown. Right now, even veterinarians know little about the disease. What they do know is the fact that it was discovered sometime in 1978 in Kentucky. The disease was spread through a dog show and it eventually reached Australia and Europe. The symptoms of the disease showed in many of the dogs that participated in the show, although cats are not affected by it as much. Just like cats, humans are not prone to the parvo virus either.
There was a suggestion that the virus is actually a result of a vaccine mutation and contamination. However, this theory was not proven and a lot of experts disagree with it. What’s definite though, is the fact that the virus could be very near you, waiting to attack your pet. You can only do so much to keep your dog indoors and prevent it from sniffing or walking over other dog’s wastes.
Then again, you can’t really control the movements of your dog at all. Most of the time, you would rather let your dog out to play and enjoy itself. Dogs need regular exercise to keep strong. You can’t keep your dog indoors just for the fear of the parvo virus. The best solution to this problem is to take your dog to the vet and have it vaccinated. This way, your dog will be able to run around freely outdoors, and you won’t have to worry about acquiring this dreaded disease at all.
The virus is so small, that you can’t see it. You never know if it is flying about in the air and your dogs have inhaled it. There are some studies being conducted to discover if the parvo virus is indeed air-borne. If proven, this could be the scariest fact about the disease. Just imagine your dog acquiring it as easily as the common cold.
The real cause of this disease is unknown. Right now, even veterinarians know little about the disease. What they do know is the fact that it was discovered sometime in 1978 in Kentucky. The disease was spread through a dog show and it eventually reached Australia and Europe. The symptoms of the disease showed in many of the dogs that participated in the show, although cats are not affected by it as much. Just like cats, humans are not prone to the parvo virus either.
There was a suggestion that the virus is actually a result of a vaccine mutation and contamination. However, this theory was not proven and a lot of experts disagree with it. What’s definite though, is the fact that the virus could be very near you, waiting to attack your pet. You can only do so much to keep your dog indoors and prevent it from sniffing or walking over other dog’s wastes.
Then again, you can’t really control the movements of your dog at all. Most of the time, you would rather let your dog out to play and enjoy itself. Dogs need regular exercise to keep strong. You can’t keep your dog indoors just for the fear of the parvo virus. The best solution to this problem is to take your dog to the vet and have it vaccinated. This way, your dog will be able to run around freely outdoors, and you won’t have to worry about acquiring this dreaded disease at all.
Symptoms of Dog Parvovirus
If you really love your dog, you won’t wish for the symptoms of dog parvo to show. Dog parvo is a very fatal disease. It can take your dog’s life within days of the time that the symptoms show. When it comes to the parvo virus, you must not wait until the dog shows all of the symptoms before taking it to the vet. The sooner the dog gets treatment, the higher are the chances that it will recover from this condition.
1. Diarrhea
The first and most distinctive symptom of dog parvo is dog diarrhea. If your dog excretes watery waste coupled with a very foul odor, it could be suffering from dog parvo. As such, you should take your dog to the vet for further diagnosis. While diarrhea is a symptom of many other diseases, it is better to be sure.
2. Dehydration
If your pet has diarrhea, dehydration will follow. If your dog sends out waste more than it takes in fluids, the effects of dehydration can be lethal. Make sure that you give your pet sufficient amounts of soup-based food and water to replenish what the diarrhea is taking out of its body.
2. Lethargy
Dogs that don’t like to run, exercise, and play around the house are probably sick. While this may not be because of dog parvo, it is better to be sure. You can save your dog’s life if you act fast on any visible symptoms.
3. Vomiting
Like humans, dogs don’t vomit without a good reason. When you see your dog throwing up, there’s something wrong. This symptom, when combined with the other symptoms, can be caused by dog parvo, the most dreaded disease.
4. Loss of appetite
A dogs that is not feeling well won’t want to touch its food. When your dog has skipped a meal or two, it’s time for you to be concerned. Don’t think that your dog is just being a picky eater. Instead, take it to the vet so that you will know what your pet is going through.
5. Bloody discharges
This is the worst symptom to see in your pet. The moment you see blood in your dog’s waste or vomit, you have to be ready for bad news, because the disease has taken over most of your dog’s body. At this point, dog parvo may be on its crucial stage and the chances of full recovery are slim. If your dog is three months or younger, it may not make it through this disease.
6. High fever
Bloody discharges and high fever usually go together. These two symptoms indicate that your dog is suffering from a severe infection. By now, you should have taken your dog to the vet, obtained a diagnosis about the condition, and be following medication therapy. If not, it will be very hard for you or the vet to cure your dog of its disease.
If you see any one of these dog parvo symptoms in your pet, don’t hesitate to go to a veterinarian right away. Request for further diagnosis and the necessary treatment therapy immediately.
If you see any one of these dog parvo symptoms in your pet, don’t hesitate to go to a veterinarian right away. Request for further diagnosis and the necessary treatment therapy immediately.
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