28/09/2020
ā¢ā¢ā¢Canine Distemperā¢ā¢ā¢
is a virus that affects a dogās respiratory, gastrointestinal, respiratory and central nervous systems, as well as the conjunctival membranes of the eye.
ā¢What Are the General Symptoms of Canine Distemper?
The first signs of canine distemper include sneezing, coughing and thick mucus coming from the eyes and nose. Fever, lethargy, sudden vomiting and diarrhea, depression and/or loss of appetite are also symptoms of the virus.
ā¢How Do Dogs Get Canine Distemper?
The virus is passed from dog to dog through direct contact with fresh urine, blood or saliva. Sneezing, coughing and sharing food and water bowls are all possible ways for the virus to be passed on.
ā¢When Is it Time to See the Vet?
Immediately! Please see your vet right away if you suspect your dog has been infected with the canine distemper virus. The virus spreads rapidly and must be aggressively treated as soon as itās discovered.
ā¢How Is Canine Distemper Diagnosed?
Canine distemper tests do exist, but the results alone are not always reliable. Rather than just testing for the infection, your vet has to look at the whole picture, including a dogās specific symptoms and health history. Positive results can help confirm an infection, but a dog can still be infected even if test results are negative.
ā¢Which Dogs Are Prone to Canine Distemper?
Puppies and adolescent dogs who have not been vaccinated are most vulnerable to the distemper virus. They are typically rescues with unknown vaccination histories or have been bought from pet stores. Serious infections are most often seen in puppies or adolescent dogs. Puppies younger than seven weeks, born to mothers who havenāt been vaccinated against the virus, are extremely susceptible. Once infected, puppies are severely weakened. Often the virus travels to the brain, causing seizures, shaking and trembling. A weakened immune system leaves an infected dog open to secondary infections like pneumonia.
ā¢How Can Canine Distemper Be Prevented?
Make sure your dog has completed his series of vaccinations. The vaccine for dogs is called the distemper shot. If you have a puppy, make sure he gets his first vaccination at six to eight weeks of age. Be sure to keep him away from any possibly infectious dogs or environments until heās finished with his vaccinations at four or five months old. Also, routine cleaning and disinfecting your home (or kennel) will ensure that the virus is not in your dogās living environment.
ā¢How Can Canine Distemper Be Treated?
There is currently no available medication that can destroy the virus that causes canine distemper. Rather, supportive care is the mainstay of treatment. Veterinarians can offer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and antibiotics to ward off secondary infections while the infected dog builds up his immune response. Some dogs are able to survive the infection, while for others canine distemper can be fatal.
ā¢Are There Lasting Health Issues?
Dogs who recover from canine distemper may have seizures or other central nervous system disorders that may not show up until many years later-sometimes in their old age. They may also be left with permanent brain and nerve damage, and these symptoms also may not show up until years later.
ā¢ā¢ā¢Canine Parvovirusā¢ā¢ā¢
(CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus manifests itself in two different forms. More common is the intestinal form of parvo in dogs, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and lack of appetite (anorexia). Less commonly seen is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of fetuses and very young puppies, often leading to death. The majority of cases of parvovirus are seen in puppies that are between 6 weeks and 6 months old. The incidence of parvo infections has been reduced radically by appropriate vaccination and boostering in puppies.
ā¢Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs
The major symptoms associated with the intestinal form of parvo infection include:
1.)Severe, bloody diarrhea
2.)Lethargy
3.)Anorexia (no appetite)
4.)Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
5.)Vomiting
6.)Severe weight loss
The intestinal form of parvovirus affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients. A dog with parvo will quickly become dehydrated and weak from lack of nutrient and fluid absorption. Vomiting and diarrhea, often containing blood, are the most common rea*ons that dogs with parvovirus are taken to the veterinarian. The wet tissue of the mouth and eyes may become noticeably red, and the heart may beat too rapidly. When your veterinarian examines your dogās abdominal area, your dog may respond due to pain or discomfort. Dogs that have contracted CPV may also have a low body temperature (hypothermia), rather than a fever.
ā¢How Is Parvo Spread?
There are a variety of risk factors that can increase a dogās susceptibility to parvovirus, but itās usually spread either through direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route. Parvovirus Can Live in P**p and in the Ground. Heavy concentrations of the virus are found in an infected dogās stool. So when a healthy dog comes in contact with an infected dogās stool (or a**s), that dog can contract the disease.
The virus can also be brought into a dog's environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected f***s or other objects that were not adequately disinfected.
There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for more than a year. Itās resistant to most cleaning products and even to weather changes. Parvovirus Spreads Quickly in Kennel Environments. Even Vaccinated Puppies Could Get Parvovirus.
ā¢How can vaccinated dogs get parvo?
Puppies require a series of vaccinations to create an immunity to parvovirus. So if they miss a booster in the puppy vaccine series, they are prone to parvovirus and if they do not continue to receive lifelong boosters as recommended by their veterinarian, their antibody levels can drop too low and they will be susceptible to parvovirus. Some pet parents choose to test their dogās antibody levels with vaccine titers every year before getting the vaccinations. If antibody levels are low, vaccination is recommended. Viral mutation can also lead to puppies being susceptible to other strains of parvovirus that are not contained in the vaccine. This is why your veterinarian will want to revaccinate your puppy even if their records indicate they have had a vaccination.
ā¢How Do Vets Test for Parvovirus in Dogs?
Parvovirus is diagnosed with a physical examination, blood tests, and a special test for the parvovirus in f***s. A urine analysis, abdominal x-rays, and abdominal ultra*ounds may also be performed. Low white blood cell levels and significant dehydration are indicative of CPV infection, especially in association with bloody stools.
Blood and urine analysis may reveal elevated liver enzymes and electrolyte imbalances. Abdominal x-ray imaging may show intestinal obstruction, while an abdominal ultra*ound may reveal enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, or throughout the body, and fluid-filled intestinal segments. You will need to give your vet a thorough history of your pet's health, vaccination history, recent activities, and onset of symptoms. Itās important to retrace your dogās steps for both possible exposure and potential contamination.
ā¢Is Parvovirus Treatable?
Since the disease is a viral infection, there is no real cure for it. Parvovirus treatment is focused on treating the symptoms and preventing secondary bacterial infections, preferably in a hospital environment. Intensive therapy and systemic support are the keys to recovery. Intravenous fluid and nutrition therapy are crucial in maintaining a dogās normal body fluid after severe diarrhea and dehydration. Protein and electrolyte levels will be monitored and regulated as necessary.
Medications that vets may use to treat dogs with parvo include drugs to curb vomiting (antiemetics), antacids, gastroprotectants, antibiotics, and anthelmintics (vet-recommended dewormers) to fight parasites.
The survival rate in dogs is about 70% when treated in the vet hospital, but death may result from severe dehydration, a severe secondary bacterial infection, bacterial toxins in the blood, or a severe intestinal hemorrhage. Prognosis is lower for puppies, since they have a less developed immune system. Itās unfortunately common for a puppy who is infected with CPV to suffer shock and sudden death.
ā¢How to Care for Your Dog After Parvo Treatment
Even after your dog has recovered from parvovirus, they will still have a weakened immune system for some time, and will be susceptible to other illnesses. A high-quality, easily digestible diet is best for your dog during recovery. Your dog will still be contagious and able to spread parvo to other dogs for at least two months after the initial recovery. You will need to isolate your dog from other dogs for this period of time, and you may want to tell neighbors who have dogs that they will need to have them tested.
If you need to clean up a parvovirus-contaminated area, first pick up and safely dispose of all organic material (vomit, f***s, etc.), and then thoroughly wash the area with a concentrated household bleach solution, one of the few disinfectants known to kill the virus. Wash all of the objects your dog uses (e.g., dishes, dog crate, dog kennel, dog toys, bedding). Itās best to wash these items in the dishwasher or washing machine, and put bedding in the dryer. Everything else should be deep-cleaned using a concentrated bleach solution as recommended by your veterinarian. This includes your clothes, shoes, and anything else that may have come in contact with your dog or infectious material.
If a dog has had parvovirus in a home, it is best not to have a puppy in that home for several years. Parvovirus is highly contagious and you do not want to put any other dogs at risk.
ā¢How to Prevent Parvo in Dogs
The best prevention you can take against parvovirus is to follow the correct protocol for vaccination. Young puppies should be vaccinated beginning at 6-8 weeks of age, then every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. So a puppy that is first vaccinated at 6 weeks would then be vaccinated at 9 weeks, 12 weeks, and 15 weeks. High-risk breeds may require a longer initial vaccination period of up to 22 weeks. During this time, your puppy should only socialize in private areas with fully vaccinated dogs. Avoid all public areas where dogs spend time, including the dog park, dog beach, pet stores, dog-friendly restaurants, farmers markets, and other dog-designated areas.
Always pick up your dogās f***s immediately. This is a good habit to start immediately, as it reduces environmental contamination and the spread of intestinal parasites. Parvovirus is a disease with serious consequences. Fast action by you and your veterinarian gives your dog the best prognosis for a full recovery.
source: PETMD
