Dog Parvovirus

Parvovirus in dogs is a serious and deadly disease. Dog
parvovirus attacks the lining of the intestine causing severe
vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Sam Meisler DVM, a
small animal veterinarian, discussed parvovirus in dogs, how
it affects your dog and how it is treated.

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Parvovirus in Dogs

Dog Parvovirus is a very, very deadly disease that enters
ground or their paws. The parvovirus goes directly to the
intestine and multiplies destroying the intestinal lining that
Dog Parvovirus is a very, very deadly disease that enters
takes five days to grow back. Without the intestinal lining,
your dog has no method for digesting and a weakened
intestinal wall is at risk to bacteria intrusion, will bleed and
become inflamed.

Dog parvovirus symptoms usually include severe vomiting
and diarrhea, often with blood in it and with a blood-bleachy
smell. Vets can often recognize the presence of parvovirus
just by the smell alone. Dogs will become seriously
dehydrated, bacteria infected (septic), and lose electrolytes.
Electrolytes are very important to nerve conduction,
regulating heartbeat, and muscle contraction. Dogs have
been known to die from cardiac arrest because their
potassium level was too low.

Parvo is a deadly disease but most dogs, if treated
aggressively, can survive. To diagnose, the first test to
perform is a stool test for dog parvovirus antigen. Blood
work will check the electrolytes and allow the vet to
determine a prognosis depending on the white blood count.
Fluid therapy, and sometimes nutrition therapy, is given to
keep the pet hydrated. Drugs to decrease vomiting as well
as antibiotics can also be administered. The goal is to
support the dog through the five-day period until the
intestinal lining regenerates. Treatment is very expensive,
time consuming, messy, and isolating. Home treatment of
parvovirus in dogs is possible but carries a much poorer
prognosis if vet treatment is beyond your budget.

- Sam Meisler DVM

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