Two recent outbreaks of canine parvovirus, in Massachusetts in
August, and in central New Jersey in September, has made the news in recent
weeks. At latest report, 15 dogs had died in the Massachusetts outbreak, and
dozens more in the New Jersey outbreak.
Canine parvovirus is transmitted by oral contact with feces from
an infected dog. Because the virus is extremely hardy in the environment, it
can also be passed via contaminated soil or other contaminated objects.
Once a dog is infected, the virus attacks rapidly dividing cells
of the body, which includes cells of the bone marrow and the gastrointestinal
tract. This results in decreased immune function as well as intractable
diarrhea and vomiting.
The illness caused by parvovirus is so severe that most infected
dogs will die without treatment.
There is no targeted cure for the infection, rather it is treated with
supportive care. This means that
we provide the necessary interventions required to keep the organs functioning
and animal alive long enough for the virus to run it's course. Even with rapid
and aggressive treatment, many dogs do still succumb, which is why prevention
through vaccination is so important.
At Princeton Animal Hospital, we see multiple cases of pets
suffering with parvovirus each year. One recent case was an 8 week old mixed
breed puppy named Tucker. The owner had gotten the puppy two days prior to
presentation, from a friend. The puppy had not received any vaccinations, and
was lethargic, not eating, vomiting, and having bloody diarrhea. Lab work
showed a severe deficiency of white blood cells, due to the virus attacking the
bone marrow, where the white blood cells are made. A test run on the pup's
stool confirmed the presence of parvovirus.
After making the diagnosis, our veterinarians instituted
immediate and aggressive supportive care. This included intravenous fluid
therapy to restore hydration, dextrose supplementation to support blood sugar,
and plasma transfusions to provide antibodies to support the immune system, as
well as provide vital proteins.
Anti-emetics and anti-diarrheal medications were used to control for
further loss of fluids and make the patient comfortable. Day by day Tucker
showed minor improvements in his condition, and over the course of six days of
intensive care, he recovered; from near death to a happy and thriving pup.
The vaccine for parvovirus is one of the core vaccines for dogs.
It is most often administered as a combination vaccine along with distemper,
adenovirus, and parainfluenza. When administered at the appropriate times in a
dog's life, this vaccine provides highly reliable protection against these
diseases. Puppies should receive this vaccine starting at 6 weeks of age, and
then every 3-4 weeks until they are 14-16 weeks old. It is then boostered
yearly, or at a minimum, every three years.
If your dog is experiencing any concerning symptoms, or if you
are unsure if your dog is up to date on his or her vaccinations, please call us
at 609-520-2000.
Have you or anyone you've known had a pet who contracted
parvovirus? If so, we'd be interested to hear your experiences and comments.
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Princeton Animal Hospital All Rights Reserved
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