10/24/2024
Dear DCVS Clients/ ,
We are getting reports of many confirmed parvovirus cases in the Dubuque Area.
What is canine parvovirus?
Parvovirus is an illness that affects dogs of all ages, but primarily unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated dogs under 1 year of age. The virus is nasty and attacks rapidly dividing cells like those found in the intestinal tract and bone marrow. This results in the lining of the intestine dying and sloughing off, allowing body water, electrolytes, and blood to dump into the intestinal tract. This causes distinctly foul-smelling, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Because the protective intestinal lining is damaged, gut bacteria can also enter the bloodstream, causing severe blood infections. Since the virus also attacks bone marrow and the body's ability to make infection-fighting white cells, the puppy is unable to fight the infections. Death occurs from severe dehydration and secondary infections. Treatment involves fluids, electrolytes, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, and antivirals given through an IV because the intestinal tract is damaged. This treatment can be extensive and expensive and may still, in some cases, result in death.
Parvovirus is EXTREMELY CONTAGIOUS because it is very difficult to kill. It is resistant to most disinfectants, heat, and cold. Infection can be passed directly from one infected dog to another or indirectly through f***s in the environment (in which the virus lives a long time). Simply walking through an area with contaminated f***s can result in spread.
So, I'm asking all of my clients with dogs under 1.5 years of age to stay away from the Dubuque dog park right now. Everyone else with older dogs, use at your own risk and make sure your vaccines are up-to-date.
Puppies require a series of vaccines starting at 6 weeks of age and ending usually between 16-18 weeks. While undergoing the vaccine series, they are not considered fully vaccinated. At DCVS, parvovirus is part of the distemper combo vaccine and this is the case at most veterinary clinics. I recommend young puppies only attend social dog gatherings once their series is complete, including dog parks, pet stores, daycare, group puppy classes, etc. I do still believe it's essential for them to play with other dogs during these fear period ages, but I recommend you be selective (think covid rules). Have your dog play with friend's dogs who are:
A. Fully vaccinated!
B. good with other dogs, so this experience is a positive one for them
C. Also does not attend social gatherings to minimize exposure risk to contagious diseases.
