Parvo is a Killer In Dogs

Parvo is a serious viral disease that can be deadly even when treatment is started swiftly. The Parvovirus is a disease that attacks dividing cells. The most prominent location for dividing cells in your dog’s body is the intestinal lining or the lining of the digestive system. When this disease attacks and kills these cells it causes dogs and puppies to unable to absorb nutrients or liquids. Parvo is seen more in puppies than in adult dogs, but both can catch the disease.

The most obvious symptoms of parvo include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and dehydration. Dogs will suffer loss of appetite, diarrhea, high fever, and depression. Their stool can be very liquid, foul smelling, usually yellow in color, and may sometimes contain blood. The secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, which includes vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The later stages of parvo lead to server dehydration, convulsions, shock, and eventual death.

The transmission of the parvovirus from one dog to another is through their feces and can be alarmingly rapid. It can be carried in an adult dog that shows no outward signs, but the disease can be found in their stool. The disease is not an air born type, but can be spread through the sole of your shoe and even birds may carry this deadly disease into your yard if they have been in contact with the infected feces.

Puppies and dogs which have not been vaccinated are particularly at risk but even dogs which have been vaccinated against parvo can still catch and carry the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can offer an 80% survival rate but this drops sharply if treatment is delayed. Without treatment the survival rate is less than 20% in dogs to less than 1% in puppies.

Once an outbreak of the Parvovirus has been confirmed, everything the dogs came into contact with needs to be sterilized or incinerated and all areas scrubbed or steam cleaned. This also applies to the boots, shoes and clothing of anyone who came in contact with them.

(ArticlesBase ID #1227078)

Noel Dundas is the author of several publications, including The Canine Diabetes Management Guide and the Canine First-Aid Handbook.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/parvo-is-a-killer-in-dogs-1227078.html

Sep 14, 2009 | 0 | Parvo

Problems with traditional Canine Parvovirus treatments

Canine Parvovirus is a truly awful disease. For the average dog owner, it can be heartbreaking to watch your dog go through the suffering of the disease. Normally when your dog is in such a position you will take your dog straight to the veterinarian. This is generally the best thing to do whenever your dog is sick, but once parvovirus has been confirmed, it is wise to be more cautious.

Did you know that there is no cure for Parvo? That’s right. There is no magical treatment that will make your dog back to normal right away. I wish it was that easy but the sad reality is that all your dog can do is wait it out. If there is no cure for the disease, then what exactly is the vet doing to help your beloved pet?

Well the vet is simply rehydrating and nursing your poor dog back to life. The vet is simply making your dog feel comfortable so that the dog can heal itself using its own immune system. At over a hundred dollars a night, this does not seem to be a very efficient use of your money. Furthermore, surely your dog would recover and get back to full health better if it were in its own home?

This is where alternative medicines come in. There are a number of alternative medicines available for canine parvovirus. Not only are these much cheaper than keeping your dog in the vet but also survival rates are comparable if not better than having your animal looked after professionally. After all, if you were a dog would you rather be treated at home or in a cold clinical room?

To find out more about these alternative treatments, please see Canine Parvovirus, your number one information source on the Parvo disease.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/problems-with-traditional-canine-parvovirus-treatments-1114300.html

Aug 10, 2009 | 0 | Parvo

how much does parvo virus shots cost?

♥lauri babii♥ asked:


thnx to every1 who answered my question bout the vets… now i need help findong how much parvo virus shots cost ????? i would reallly appreciate it ! :)

Addendum:

Parvo vaccines are still recommended by many vets, including annual boosters, but research indicates these are both unnecessary and dangerous for your dog.

Feb 27, 2009 | 1 | Other - Pets