Dog Parvo What You Can Do

Parvovirus

Parvo is a viral disease discovered in dogs in 1978. For some of us that is very recent. It's a viral disease that attacks the rapidly multiplying cells in the intestines and sometimes the heart muscles of puppies. Parvo is a disease that most often occurs in puppies before their vaccines are given or in dogs who don't get Parvovirus vaccinations. Another way dogs get it is when they haven't been vaccinated and they come into contact with a dog with Parvo or go to an area where there has been a Parvo dog living or playing as Parvo is very contagious to dogs but not cats or humans. Indoors the Parvovirus can last about a month or so on surfaces and can be moved around on shoes or dog beds or whatever it's on. Outdoors Parvovirus lasts much longer more like five to six months with the same concerns about moving it around and such.

Symptoms of Parvovirus

Symptoms of Canine parvovirus, If a dog has parvo of the intestine the symptoms can be small things like no symptoms, fever, bad smelling diarrhea, tiredness and maybe vomiting. So as you can see you can have a dog with no symptoms that seems fine or a dog that appears very sick. With this disease especially in young puppies who haven't had their canine vaccines yet the death rate for can be pretty high. Even if your puppy doesn't actually die then they will be very unhealthy for the remainder of their lifespan.

Parvo Diagnosis

     If you think your dog has Parvovirus you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible. When you are at the vet they are going to do a few tests to make sure they either do or don't have Parvovirus as Parvo can be fatal to your pet. The vet will usually do a fecal test, blood work to determine white blood cell count, and a standard physical examination. 

Canine Parvo

Currently there is no cure for dog Parvo only supportive care. What is supportive care for Parvo? Things like fluids or electrolyte fluids like you would give a child when they are dehydrated but not if your dog is vomiting. Nausea medications to stop the vomiting and further damages. Antibiotics. All of this just to make sure your pet survives the Parvovirus and you will still have a very unhealthy dog when it's all over not that same puppy you had before the Parvo. So please get your puppies Parvo shots on schedule.

Parvo Vaccines

The Parvovirus vaccine is the number one way to protect your dog against Parvovirus. Most puppies get Parvo Vaccines at the ages of 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks of age. This will protect them throughout their lives. Some breeding dogs also get Parvo Vaccines before they get pregnant to protect the puppies. So if you can keep you dog free of Parvo for that first nine weeks you should be okay. So get those Parvo vaccinations as soon as you can at nine weeks to protect that new puppy, that's really the best way to protect your dog from Parvo. 

Price of Dog Vaccinations

The price of dog vaccinations varies by area but it's relatively cheap maybe twenty to a hundred dollars depending if the vet charges you for an office visit or not and where you live. The price of Parvo vaccinations if very cheap compared to taking care of a dog with Parvo think of the cost of IV's and fecal tests and electrolyte fluids not to mention the fact that you will have to clean all the Parvo from your home which is easier said than done involving bleach and possibly killing your lawn, because if you don't get all the Parvovirus out of your house any dog you bring into your home could get it as the virus lives for a very long time.

Give a Parvo Shot

Personally I go to the vet for animal services but I know several people who do give their own dog vaccines and Parvo shots and they recommend it. I personally just like to use the vet as they will maybe find other things wrong with my dog at the time of the shots or what have you but if you do want to give your own shots. I would ask the vet to show you how to do the first one and then you can purchase all the materials and do the rest of them but with the vets guidance on the first one I think this is something you can do. Theres even a video to show you how. good luck.