Canine Parvovirus Infection -

 What You Should Know About It


 By R. Edward Jacobs,D.V.M., St. Croix
 Information supplied by the American Veterinary Medical Assoc.

What is Parvovirus Infection?
 Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious virus disease
of dogs that attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells, and in
some cases the heart muscle. Since its appearance in Texas in 1978,
this new disease has appeared on all continents including England,
where a rigid 6-month quarantine is imposed on animals to prevent
the introduction of diseases. The first known confirmed case of
CPV in the Virgin Islands occurred in October 1980. A number of
cases have occurred on all islands since then.

 CPV infection is thought to be spread by dog-to-dog contact
and has been diagnosed wherever dogs congregate, including dog
shows, obedience trials, breeding and boarding kennels, pet shops,
humane shelters, veterinary hospitals, parks, and playgrounds.

 A dog that is confined to a house or yard and is rarely in
contact with other dogs is far less likely to be exposed to the virus.

 The source of infection is fecal waste from infected dogs;
large amounts of the virus may be present in fecal material of
infected dogs. The virus is resistant to extremes in environmental
conditions and can survive for long periods. It is readily trans-
mitted from place to place on the hair or feet of infected dogs or
by contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects. Definitive infor-
mation on other means of transmission, if any, is lacking.

 CPV infection cannot be transmitted to other types of
ailimals or people.

How Can you Tell if a Dog has CPV Infection?
 The first signs of CPV infection, usually vomiting and severe
diarrhea, will most often appear 5-7 days after the dog is exposed
to the virus. At the onset of the illness, the feces will generally
be light gray or yellow-gray. Sometimes the first sign will be fluid
feces streaked with blood.

 Animals may dehydrate rapidly due to the vomiting and
diarrhea. Depression and loss of appetite will also be observed.
Temperatures ranging from 1040-1060F may be recorded in
younger dogs, although there may be only a little elevation, if any,
in older animals.

 Some dogs may vomit repeatedly and have diarrhea, which
may be projectile and bloody, until they die; others may have
only loose feces and recover without complications. A common
feature of CPV infection is a drop in the white blood cell count
and a fever.

 Most deaths occur within 48-72 hours following the onset
of clinical signs. Pups suffer most with shock-like deaths, occurring
as early as two days after the onset of illness. Approximately 75%
of pups less than five months old and 2-3% of older dogs die from
this disease.

 Another form of parvoviral infection is inflammation of the


heart (myocarditis) in pups less than three months of age. This
syndrome occurs without concurrent diarrhea as the virus multi-
plies rapidly in muscle cells of the growing heart.

 Pups with parvoviral myocarditis may act depressed and stop
suckling shortly before they collapse gasping for breath. Death
may follow Within minutes. Others may die at intervals over the
next several days. There is no effective treatment. Pups that sur-
vive may have permanently damaged hearts. Such animals may
die from heart failure weeks or months after they have recovered
from infection.

How is CPV Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
 There are no specific drugs that kill the virus in infected
dogs. A veterinarian will make an initial diagnosis based upon
clinical signs but only after considering other causes of vomiting
and diarrhea. Evidence of rapid spread in a group of dogs is strongly
suggestive of CPV infection and may be confirmed by electron
microscopy.

 Treatment of CPV infection, which should be started im-
mediately, consists primarily of efforts to combat dehydration by
replacing electrolyte and fluid losses, controlling vomiting and
diarrhea, and preventing secondary infections. Sick dogs should be
kept warm and be provided good nursing care. Antibiotic therapy
may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial invasions.

What About Prevention and Protection?

 With few exceptions, dogs of any age should be vaccinated to
prevent CPV infection. Ask your veterinarian about the availability
of vaccines, duration of immunity, and recommended schedule for
inoculations.

 Proper cleaning and disinfection of kennels and other areas
where dogs are housed is essential to control spread of the virus.
Remember, the virus is capable of existing in the environment for
many months unless the area is thoroughly cleaned. Sodium