Parvovirus In Dogs

Parvo is a serious viral disease that can be deadly even if treatment is given. Parvovirus is a
disease that attacks dividing cells. The most prominent location for dividing cells in your dog's
body is the intestinal lining or the lining of the digestive system. When this disease attacks
and kills these cells it causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids.
Parvo is seen more in puppies than in adult dogs, but both can catch the disease.

Symptoms of parvo include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Most dogs stop eating or have a
loss of appetite, diarrhea, high fever, and depression. Their stool can be very liquid, foul
smelling, usually yellow in color, and contain blood. The secondary symptoms appear as
severe gastrointestinal distress, which includes vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In the later
stages of parvo dehydration, shock, and death.

Transmission of parvo from one dog to another occurs through their feces. Parvo can be
carried in an adult dog that shows no outward signs, but the disease can be found in their
stool. The disease is not an air born type, but can be transmitted through the sole of your
shoe and even birds may carry this deadly disease into your yard if they have been in contact
with the infected feces.

All dogs and puppies are susceptible to parvo but there are a few breeds that seem to be more
susceptible than others. These include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and other black and
tan breeds. These breeds usually are more prone to contracting this disease and not
recovering.

Without treatment your dog only has a 20% survival rate and with treatment an 80% survival
rate. So, of course, the best medicine is to prevent the exposure and to vaccinate your dog
against this deadly disease