Parvo Season Is Rapidly Approaching! Watch for These Signs in Your Pet
March 22, 2019 9:52 pm Leave your thoughtsSpring is officially here, and that means people will be flocking outdoors to enjoy warmer weather and outdoor activities. Pet owners, too, will begin getting outside more with their dogs, visiting dog parks, going on longer walks and enjoying time in the park.
Unfortunately, as nice as spring is, it also marks the beginning of parvo season. Pet parents must be extra vigilant this spring to watch out for signs of the illness and get their dog to a veterinarian in Phoenix, AZ right away.
What is parvo?
Canine parvovirus (CPV or parvo) is an infectious disease that affects dogs. The illness is extremely contagious, which makes it even more dangerous for your pet because it can easily be exposed to it and get infected.
The virus usually manifests in one of two forms: intestinal or cardiac. Most dogs that contract parvo will experience intestinal issues, but young puppies may get the cardiac version, which can be fatal.
Parvo is most common in puppies aged six weeks to six months. It can be spread through direct contact with infected dogs or through contact with feces from an infected dog. The parvovirus can live in soil for around a year and is resistant to many cleaning agents; bleach is one of the cleaners than can actually remove it. This makes parvo extremely dangerous, especially for young, curious pups.
Identifying and preventing parvo
Parvo can be prevented through the administration of vaccines when your puppy is at an early age. The parvo vaccine has done a tremendous job in minimizing the number of parvo cases your veterinarian in Phoenix, AZ sees every year. However, this does not mean parvo will never affect your pet.
Parvo has a few distinct signs, mostly related to gastrointestinal upset. Watch out for:
- Severe diarrhea with blood
- Vomiting
- Rapid weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- Lethargy
These signs usually indicate a gastrointestinal form of the parvovirus. If you notice these signs, know that your dog is at risk of losing a lot of weight because it isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, as well as becoming severely dehydrated. Without veterinary care, your dog’s illness may become fatal, so make sure to visit a veterinarian in Phoenix, AZ right away if you think your pup is suffering from parvo.
If you recently got a new puppy, have it vaccinated to protect it from parvovirus as soon as you can. Until it is vaccinated, avoid taking it to dog parks, kennels, doggie daycare or other places where it has the potential to interact with infected dogs.
Visit Christown Animal Hospital if your dog needs parvo treatment or prevention!
At Christown Animal Hospital, we offer everything your dog needs to stay healthy or recover from intense illness like parvo. If your dog isn’t vaccinated, don’t hesitate to bring your pet in to get it up to date.
We serve both cats and dogs, providing a variety of healthcare services, including preventative medicine, surgery, boarding, grooming and daycare. Call us today to hear about our New Client Wellness Exam for only $25!
Categorised in: Veterinarian
This post was written by Writer