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ASK DR. JO: What is parvo and how can it be prevented?

  Your Animals are God’s Creatures — Care for them please!  

A deadly disease that takes many puppies — especially if they have not been fully vaccinated — is called Parvovirus or “parvo”.  In very young puppies (less than 6 months old), the infection can spread quickly through the body.

The virus itself is extremely resistant and can remain stable in the environment (and therefore contagious to other dogs) for years. Adult dogs often pass parvovirus in the stool without showing signs because resistance occurs with age. Parvo mostly causes illness in young puppies,

The most common signs include lethargy or ‘laziness’, not eating, vomiting, and bloody, foul smelling diarrhea.  Hookworm parasites can cause the same signs – these are intestinal parasites. A test of feces can identify either of these diseases.

The infection is often fatal even with treatment.

PREVENTION IS KEY

• Have your puppy vaccinated in a series at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.  The vaccination called DHPP includes Parvovirus and other viral diseases.

• Vaccination is preventative; it is of no use once a dog actually has parvo infection.

• Do not allow your unvaccinated puppy to contact other unvaccinated dogs or to be exposed to dog feces (stool, excrement) in the environment. Your puppy should not be exposed to areas where dogs defecate often (foot paths and roadsides) until all puppy vaccines are complete. Keep your puppy in a confined space – safe from dangers big, small and microscopic.

• Shoes can carry the virus so take off your shoes when entering the area your puppies are housed.

• Virus is passed in the feces (stool) of your dog for several days prior to the puppy showing signs of illness, and the virus will typically continue to be passed for about 2 weeks. The virus can live in the environment for months or more.

For both these reasons, it is important to appropriately clean any cages, blankets, food and water bowls, and other objects used by the dog. Pick up and discard feces.   A dilution of bleach in water (1 part bleach to 20 parts water; handle carefully) is effective and destroys this virus. 

I will discuss with you the diagnosis and treatment options.  Puppies have the best chance of survival with treatment.  

There are no medications that kill the parvovirus itself. Treatment of parvo is supportive meaning we do all we can to keep the strength and hydration of the puppy so it can fight the disease.

Dogs that survive generally have no permanent damage or any other longterm negative effects and many are known to have immunity to parvo for the rest of their lives – this is a risky way to achieve this immunity!

For Any sick puppy the following guidelines are recommended:

•           isolate from other dogs in the household to provide a proper environment for the sick puppy and help prevent spread of disease.

•           Water should be available at all times but only small frequent amounts if it results in vomiting.

•           Very small amounts of food can be offered every couple of hours, and gradually increased when the puppy is not vomiting.

•           Take food away if it is not interested in eating and try again later.

•           Do Not force feed as this can lead to serious complications

•           When the puppy feels better it will naturally regain its appetite.

•           A sick puppy should have a calm, quiet environment.

All feces should be gathered and disposed of properly, and the environment disinfected with bleach solution.

PET OF THE WEEK

This sweet part lab is looking for a loving home.  To see about adopting a shelter dog or a puppy you can visit the Vet Clinic during open hours, or make an appointment if weekends are best so that one of the staff is available to help. 

(Call for an appointment if you want your pet to be neutered or spayed. Or just drop by if you can’t call — take a chance.

Dr. Jo Olver is our island’s permanent veterinarian and is an integral part of the local Health Department Animal Clinic’s mission to improve the welfare of our animals in the Territory. It is open from Monday- Friday.

She is a general veterinary practitioner originally from Manitoba, Canada and now serving the American Samoa community. Her weekly column will focus on keeping pets healthy and owners happy.)