What is PARVO and who can get it?
Unlike the name suggest "Kat griep" does not affect cats at all.
"kat griep" or Parvovirus is a deadly virus most commonly found in very young puppies.
This article will help your puppy get better.
Parvo is species-specific and only affects dogs.
The virus attacked the cells found in the intestines where it destroys the cells, disrupts the gut barrier, and prevents dogs from absorbing nutrients, leading to dehydration and malnutrition. This weakens the immune system making secondary infections very common.
Unfortunately, many dogs who are diagnosed with parvo will not survive.
The good news is that early vaccination in young dogs reduces their chances of contracting Parvo.
One of the most common symptoms is that puppies go from being healthy and playing as normal one day, and the next day they refuse to eat and are unable to get up.
Use the checklist to see what symptoms your pup has so we can properly treat him/her.
Symptoms appear within 3 to 7 days after exposure.
There is no cure for Parvo. Offer supportive care over 10 days by treating the symptoms listed above. If possible isolate the sick dog to prevent it from spreading
If treatment starts early enough survival rate goes up to about 60%
After 4 days most puppies do a lot better, but treatment must continue to support the recovery process.
Stages of Parvo
Knowing how it spreads and how it works can help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
1. INFECTION
The puppy (or adult dog) is exposed to viral particles via fecal material from an infected dog. They can come from a few places:
the environment, like parks, walks and visiting other dogs
People/clothing that came into contact with infected feces
Only a small amount of fecal matter is necessary to transmit the infection
2. INCUBATION
The incubation period is between 3 and 7 days in which the dog is infected and contagious but doesn't show symptoms yet. The virus multiplies in places like the lymph nodes in the throat and then spreads to the bloodstream. One in the blood it seeks out places like the bone marrow, stomach, and small intestine lining where it divides further. In very small puppies the virus is also known to affect the heart.
3. ILLNESS
When the virus infects the bone marrow it attacks the immune system, which leads to a drop in protective white blood cells. This weakens the body's ability to protect itself and allows the virus to take over. The worst damage is often found in the gastrointestinal tract(GI). Most of the symptoms are associated with damage to the GI, and this is also part of the body that needs the most support during treatment.
4. TREATMENT
Treatment is mostly supportive care and will depend on the severity of the illness. If caught early enough, it can be managed as an outpatient. Proper cleaning protocols must be followed as part of treatment. In severe cases, dogs will be placed in isolation units at the vet with round-the-clock care, but even with treatment recovery is not guaranteed.
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