Posts tagged "parvo"

Canine parvovirus, commonly called parvo, is a serious and potentially deadly affliction for household dogs. As part of a Paw Nation series providing background about the medical problems your pet may suffer, we spoke with Dr. Craig Blair, owner-operator of the Clays Mill Veterinary Clinic in Lexington, Ky., to get some insights about the condition.

What are the signs that my dog has parvo?
Signs of parvo include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's most often seen in puppies less than 6 months old. The diarrhea is often bloody and very foul-smelling, which are good indicators the dog has parvo.

A. What are some indicators and symptoms of parvo?

The recent death of Oprah Winfrey's Cocker Spaniel puppy from parvo has many dog owners worried about their own pups.

Parvo is short for canine parvovirus, a viral disease most commonly found in puppies, though any dog can contract it.

Parvo usually affects the intestines and tends to cause bloody diarrhea and heart trouble. It is the most common lethal virus known to dogs and is highly contagious, but the good news is that it can be prevented with timely vaccines.

The first parvo vaccine should be administered to a puppy at about six weeks, then three more times before the dog is a year old. After that it's administered yearly.

If you adopt a dog from a shelter be sure to schedule a visit to your own vet, even if he or she has been checked by the shelter's own veterinarian. Shelter vets are very busy and sometimes miss symptoms.

If your dog does have parvo, you're looking at about a week of intensive treatment. It's best to leave your dog with the vet to make sure it receives the aggressive fluids it needs. This treatment is expensive (between $1,500 and $3,500!), but with the right care there's about an 80% chance your dog will make a comeback.

Matthew Cooper is an emergency medicine veterinarian with NYC Vet Specialists.

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Parvovirus, commonly known as parvo, is a deadly viral disease seen most often in dogs and puppies. It attacks the lining of the digestive system and prevents the animal from absorbing nutrients or liquids. Early symptoms include vomiting, high fever, and sever diarrhea. Parvo can be prevented with early vaccinations.

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