Ask the Vet
Parvo Is Challenging, but Preventable, Canine Disease
READER QUESTION:
We just had a dog die from parvo. Is there anything you can do if a dog gets parvo?
DR. MCMILLAN'S ANSWER:
Canine parvoviral enteritis is a disease that emerged worldwide in 1978. Most experts feel it was a mutation of the virus that causes feline panleukopenia. Since dogs had no natural immunity to it, the disease spread rapidly, producing severe and often deadly results. Over the years, with improved vaccine technology, the disease has become almost entirely preventable with a professionally designed and administered puppy health program.
Most cases of parvo are treatable. Treatment focuses on maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance with intravenous fluids, and medications to stop vomiting, protect the GI tract and relieve pain. Antibiotics are given to prevent secondary bacterial infections but have no effect on the virus. Until recently, there was nothing that could be done for the virus, but recently, a monoclonal antibody has been approved that targets the virus. The initial results have been very impressive.
Treatment of parvo is expensive, and some dogs may die even with aggressive treatment. Prevention of this and many other diseases is easy and much more cost effective. We recommend starting a vaccine series beginning at 6 weeks of age and giving boosters every 3 weeks until the puppy is at least 15 weeks of age. We check puppies for internal and external parasites and deworm them. We also start them on a heartworm and flea and tick preventives as soon as possible. With this program, I cannot remember the last puppy we had that broke with disease, so please take your puppies to your veterinarian.
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Editor's Note: Please contact your veterinarian with questions about the health of your herd or other animals. Every operation is unique, and the information in this column does not pertain to all situations. This is not intended as medical advice but is purely for informational purposes. Email Dr. Ken McMillan at vet@dtn.com.
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