Parvovirus infection a dog killer
Greetings dear reader!
WITH the recent spate of Parvovirus infection – and resultant deaths − in dogs, we are reminded of the importance of disease prevention and vaccination. Parvovirus kills many puppies and young dogs and owners often do not realise the animal is sick until it is too late. But with careful care of young puppies and a good vaccination program it is a preventable disease. This week Dr Jo Olver, SPCA's head veterinarian, talks to us about parvovirus.
What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a virus. Most viruses cause disease in one species only. Measles virus in humans, distemper and parvo virus in dogs and leukaemia virus in cats.
How does Parvovirus kill?
Parvovirus destroys rapidly developing cells in the body. In particular, it attacks the cells lining the intestines. This causes intense and severe signs of vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Puppies die of severe and ongoing dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and invasion by bacteria.
The virus is passed in the faeces and will remain in the environment, sometimes for years long after the faecal matter has washed away in the rain. Puppies ingest the virus and if there is no protection, they get very sick or die.
How do I prevent Parvovirus?
Prevention involves keeping your puppy away from any area where unknown dogs have been or frequent regularly - keep them off sidewalks, streets and common play areas, even a new yard you have recently moved into. Follow a complete vaccination program.
There are very few medicines which kill viruses - we have yet to kill viruses in a body as quickly and efficiently as our immune systems do. So, the best we can do for now is to vaccinate, which is a means of helping the body's immune system to identify a virus and neutralise it before it causes disease.
Think of viruses as invaders who sneak into a body under cover of darkness. The body does not recognise their presence until the invaders have started 'blowing' things up (causing disease) and often by then it is too late to stop serious illness or death.
Vaccination "teaches" the body's immune system how to recognise the parvovirus when it enters the body. This allows the immune system to swing into action and target the parvovirus invaders as they arrive and neutralise them before they can cause any signs of disease or serious illness.
How do I know my puppy is fully vaccinated?
Young puppies should get their first vaccination injection when they are six−eight weeks of age, a second or "booster" of the same at 10−12 weeks of age and a third or final in the series at 14−16 weeks of age. I prefer an eight, 12 and 16 week series. If the puppy is over three months old it gets a series of two vaccinations which are given 3−4 weeks apart.
Here in Fiji it is ideal to give annual vaccinations for three years then after that the timing for virus vaccinations is every three years. After 12 or so years of age there is little risk of these viral infectious diseases.
Annual vaccination starts one year after the last puppy vaccination.
Vaccinations should always be administered by a veterinarian, or under direct supervision of a veterinarian. You should always receive a record of the vaccination given and bring this health record with you for every visit.