Q. I am hearing there are a lot of Parvo cases this fall. Should I be worried?
A.
Maine has seen an uptick in Parvovirus cases this fall. Starting in September Bangor north and the Augusta/Gardiner areas have seen more Parvo cases than normal. The cause for the increase is only speculative. What every dog owner should know is that Parvovirus is a very stable virus that lives a long time in the environment and in many other species. Wildlife may play a role for more cases. Coyotes, skunks, foxes, and raccoons can spread parvovirus.
Parvovirus is common and is easily preventable. It is a major concern for puppies less than 20 months with immature immune systems. It is a highly contagious and possibly fatal virus in puppies. The virus can live in the environment for several months and through the winter. Infected dogs can pass the virus through direct contact, feces, and objects, like bowls and toys.
The virus affects the immune system compromising the body’s ability to fight infection, produce healthy cells, and break down toxins. 90% of cases of untreated sick puppies can be fatal.
Parvovirus infections develop in stages, and it can take three to seven days before you see symptoms in your dog. Incubation is the time between exposure to the virus and the start of developing symptoms. These puppies will test positive for parvovirus even though they have no symptoms. Prodromal phase is the beginning of some general symptoms, such as, quiet, and decreased appetite. The acute phase is the most advanced stage. This is when the virus attacks the dog’s immune system. The virus destroys the villi in the intestinal lining causing bleeding, fluid loss, protein loss, and opens the rest of the body to bacteria creating sepsis. It affects the bone marrow causing a drop in white cells, whose job it is to protect against invaders like parvovirus.
Symptoms can range from mild in older dogs and vaccinated dogs to devastation in puppies.
Commonly, you will see bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, weakness, dehydration, and depression. All these symptoms are severe and need immediate medical attention.
To diagnose parvovirus your veterinarian will take a thorough history, examine the pup, and start tests. There is a test vets can run on the diarrhea that will show a positive result in 15 minutes if it is parvovirus. Sometimes this test will give a false positive, so other tests may be indicated. The most common treatment is a complete blood count to look for a low white cell count, which is an indicator of parvovirus. This test will also look at the red cell count to see if it is too high or too low. Treatment will be started with fluids, antibiotics for secondary infections, antiemetics if there is vomiting. In 2023 a new treatment was developed using monoclonal antibodies. Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) binds with the parvovirus which blocks its ability to attach to and enter intestinal cells. This protects the intestinal lining and directly fights infection. A single IV dose is given to dogs eight weeks and older. It can be expensive but also can shorten the time of vomiting and lethargy and save your puppy.
To prevent infection, you can be proactive by making sure your puppy is properly vaccinated, and older dogs have protective titer. If your pup has been exposed or treated for parvovirus, clean infected areas such as bowls, toys, carpets, floors, and yards with diluted Clorox solution. Avoid high traffic areas such as shelters, training areas, and dog parks until your pup is vaccinated.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH
Animal Wellness Center
Augusta, Maine
www.mainehomeopahticvet.com