Sled Dog Society of Wales
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    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
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    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
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      • Bleeding (external)
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      • Drowning
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    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
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      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
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    • Head Collar
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    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
Picture
Parvovirus
 
Parvovirus is the name given to both an unpleasant and potentially deadly canine disease and the virus that causes it.
 
Parvovirus (also known as CPV or “parvo” for short) is most commonly experienced in high density locations like boarding kennels and doggie parks where one carrier animal may rapidly infect other animals.
 
Parvovirus Risks
Parvo is a thoroughly unpleasant disease for dogs, with the symptoms being even more severe in puppies and elderly dogs.  Studies suggest that without proper treatment mortality rates in dogs can exceed 90%.  This is why most canines in the UK are vaccinated as puppies, with regular boosters to help maintain their immunity.
 
The severity of the disease is also why many countries require dogs to be fully vaccinated before allowing entry. As a result, if you plan to relocate your dog overseas ensuring that it has had the vaccine should be considered a priority in order to protect both your dog and those of others.
 
Parvovirus Transmission
Parvovirus is most commonly transmitted from one dog to another through the faeces or bodily fluids.  For this reason, parvovirus does seem more prevalent in areas where cleanliness and hygiene have been less carefully monitored.
 
It is important to note that the virus is incredibly tough and, unlike many other viruses, can survive outside the canine body for long periods of time.  Most experts agree that the virus is capable of lying dormant in the environment for months or even years.
 
This is important to note because it is possible for non-vaccinated dogs to pick up the virus unexpectedly, even when they have not come into direct contact with other dogs.  Transmission may come, for example, from direct contact with another dog’s faeces or even from sharing bedding or food bowls.  In the most extreme circumstances even pet owners themselves can inadvertently transmit the virus from one dog to another.
 
For this reason if parvovirus is suspected complete isolation for the dog is essential, as is careful bio-control to prevent the virus infecting other animals.
 
Parvovirus Symptoms
The primary source of distress in parvovirus cases is severe enteritis (swelling of the intestine).  This typically leads on to secondary symptoms including lethargy and severe vomiting and diarrhoea (often with signs of blood).
 
In puppies the symptoms can develop particularly quickly, where anaemia may also be experienced.  The outlook for infected dogs is dire, so early identification and treatment should be considered of primary importance.
 
To be certain of a diagnosis it will be necessary for a vet to test your pet.  If you are concerned it is worth telephoning your vet immediately; whilst an early diagnosis is important, you also don’t want to risk infecting other dogs when attending the surgery.
 
Parvovirus Treatment
Sadly there are currently no medications that will cure parvovirus.  Parvovirus treatment therefore tends to focus on treating the symptoms of parvo, thus allowing your dog’s immune system the resources it needs to fight off the infection.
 
Of primary importance is the replacement of fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhoea, without which extreme dehydration can rapidly lead to listlessness and death.  This is most commonly administered intravenously.
 
In addition it is commonplace to provide antibiotics.  Whilst antibiotics will not treat the originating virus itself, they can help to reduce inflammation and assist your dog in fighting secondary infections.
 
In almost all cases veterinary admission and round-the-clock monitoring will be required. As a result, treating parvovirus can be an expensive exercise.  For this reason alone caring dog owners should not only possess suitable pet insurance but should also vaccinate as early as possible to prevent infection.
 
Parvovirus Vaccines
Fortunately these days most puppies are immunized against canine parvovirus. If in doubt, consult your veterinary surgeon who will be able to advise you on the best route for vaccination. Boosters are likely to be required from time to time in order to maintain full protection against the virus.
 
In Conclusion
If ever there was a good reason to maintain an effective vaccination program for your dog it is canine parvovirus.  Left untreated, this highly contagious disease can lead to a painful and unpleasant end for your best friend.  Don’t take risks with your pet’s health just to save a few pounds on the cost of vaccination; far better to invest now and rest easy knowing your pet is protected from this unpleasant infection.

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  • Home
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Dog Working, Showing & Pack Walks
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing >
        • Size & Colour Chart
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Keyrings
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Club Sponsors 2021
  • Canine First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter