Breed Occurrence
Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) affects all breeds of domesticated dog, as well as
wild dogs (including bush-dogs, coyotes, maned wolves) and the virus may also be
transmitted to cats, ferrets and mink. CVP-1 appears to only affect domesticated
dogs..
Puppies aged 6weeks-6months in some breeds of dog have been reported to have
a higher risk of developing canine parvovirus (CPV-2) disease than
others, including :
- Alaskan sled dogs
- Doberman Pinschers
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Labrador Retrievers
- Rottweilers
- Staffordshire Terriers (American)
Canine parvovirus disease due to CVP-1 affects the same organs in young
puppies up to 3 weeks of age and causes :
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for canine parvovirus, so puppies should be
vaccinated against according to the local veterinary practice's normal
protocol - usually at least 2 doses from 6 weeks of age with the second dose at
10 weks age or older. Some pups have strong
immunity from the mother and they may benefit from being vaccinated later. Protection
from a vaccine may only last for up to 15 months, so regular boosters are
needed. The vaccine is only effective against CPV-2 and there is no
vaccine available against CPV-1. Most licensed vaccines now need to be boosted
every 3 years after the initial booster 1 year after the puppy course.
For clinical cases fluid therapy is essential
to reverse dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Other drugs may also help
such as antibiotics and antiemetic drugs (eg metoclopramide) to prevent
vomiting. Puppies should be kept warm and in isolation when being treated.
Dietary management is important in the recovery of parvovirus patients because
the gastrointestinal tract may take some time to recover from the damage
caused by the virus. A highly digestible, low fibre ration is usually
recommended and supplementation with oral glutamine may help enterocyte regrowth.
CPV-2 is responsible for the most serious disease outbreaks and
it can survive in the environment on inanimate objects for up to 5 months.
Unfortunately the virus is resistant to many disinfectants - but it is
sensitive to bleach (sodium hypochlorite) at a dilution rate of 1:30
bleach:water and this should be used to clean areas in which an infected dog has
been kept.
Prognosis
Puppies that survive CPV-2 infection usually do so within 7 days, but the
younger the pups are when they succumb to the disease the poorer the prognosis.
Also puppies with concurrent disease such as canine coronavirus are less likely
to recover.
Puppies with CPV-1 infection usually die despite treatment, but they should
be kept warm and given nutritional support as well as pups with CVP-2 infection.