Parvo doesn't necessarily come on suddenly, but the signs and symptoms may seem to develop and worsen quickly if left untreated.
Parvo has an incubation period of about 5-7 days, this means that they may not get sick until five days after they have been exposed to the virus. Symptoms to look for are vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, dehydration and bloody, very smelly diarrhoea.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
Dogs that contract parvovirus will typically begin to show symptoms of the infection within 3-10 days of being exposed. However, most deaths from parvo happen within 72 hours of the symptoms beginning and so it is essential that you seek treatment immediately if you believe that your dog may have been infected.
A pet infected with parvovirus may develop a fever and behave lethargically, possibly refusing food within the first few days of infection. Within 24-48 hours, copious vomiting and diarrhea present, often containing blood in the later stages.
Dehydration is very serious; dogs with canine parvovirus refuse water and quickly dehydrate due to their constant vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
Even if your veterinarian does everything right, there is still a chance that your puppy won't survive parvo. The near-death signs of parvo include severe lethargy, continuous bloody diarrhea, anorexia, and bloody vomiting. You may not want to admit it to yourself, but this is the point of no return.
Once a puppy has symptoms of parvo, if left untreated they can die within 48 - 72 hours. It can be simply diagnosed and survival is possible if treated soon enough. If left untreated the mortality rate is as high as 91%.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus. Vaccines for the parvovirus are recommended for all puppies and are usually given in a series of three shots when the pup is between 6-to-8 weeks old, again at 10-to-12 weeks, and at 14-to-16 weeks.
In the U.S., people tend to get infected with parvovirus B19 more often in late winter, spring, and early summer. Mini-outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection occur about every 3 to 4 years. Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat.
There is no cure for parvo. Your vet will offer your puppy supportive care over the course of the illness, treating symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, and making sure that your puppy gets adequate nutrition.
Since an ELISA test sometimes comes back with a false positive, your vet may also check your dog's white blood cell count. Parvo attacks a dog's bone marrow, so a low white blood cell count is usually a pretty good indicator that the dog has parvo—especially in combination with a positive ELISA test.
Parvo is so infectious that humans can spread it unknowingly to other dogs if they have recently come into contact with an infected pup, just by touching them. This means an innocent pat on the head could result in a life-threatening condition.
These tests, which utilize a fecal swab to detect CPV antigen, provide quick results (usually within 10-15 minutes) and can easily be performed by staff. Positive results are a reliable indicator of infection when associated with consistent clinical signs.
How do dogs and puppies contract Parvo? Parvo can be found in almost any environment. It is transmitted when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus. This includes contact with the feces of an infected dog, or objects that contain the virus (shoes, clothes, bedding, bowls, grass, carpets, floors, etc).
Recovery: It can take fourteen to twenty days for a puppy or adult dog to fully recover from parvovirus. You need to make sure your dog is eating and drinking enough and that they remain isolated until they are no longer infectious.
The good news is that 85% of infected puppies who are treated go on to survive although treatment can be drawn-out and distressing. The even better news is that parvovirus in dogs can be virtually eliminated by a simple vaccine given every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age.
What is the incubation period for Parvo? When a dog becomes infected with the Parvo virus, they usually show signs of illness within 3-5 days. However, the incubation period can be up to 14 days. Dogs can begin to shed the Parvo virus from their feces 3-4 days even before they show clinical signs of illness.
Your dog will sleep a lot during the day and show less activity. As the infection progresses, the poor pup will develop a severe fever. Vomiting and diarrhea are other serious symptoms of parvo with dogs. In fact, it is the biggest tell-tale sign that Bingo could be suffering from Parvo.
As canine parvovirus causes extreme stomach and digestive tract upset, the feces of a dog with parvo is usually liquid diarrhea. It will begin brown in color, but will gradually become more red as the disease develops.
IV fluids and management of electrolytes are the cornerstone of treatment for parvo. Antibiotics are given to prevent secondary infections, along with medications to help relieve vomiting, nausea and pain. De-wormer should be given since many puppies also have intestinal parasites that can worsen diarrhea.
Parvovirus is a scary disease that typically affects unvaccinated puppies. It is highly contagious, so if your dog is diagnosed with this virus, you'll want to thoroughly disinfect your home before it returns.
Parvovirus is found in any environment (lawns, homes, kennels, dog parks, etc.) and comes from infected dogs that excrete the virus in their vomit or feces. Puppies are more likely to get parvo because they are more likely investigate everything on the ground.
The virus usually enters the dog through sniffing or eating infected feces or direct contact with an infected dog. Dogs can shed the virus before they show signs of illness and for several weeks after disease has resolved. Therefore, even dogs that appear healthy can transmit parvovirus.