Canine Parvovirus or ( CPV ) is the contagious viral disease of dogs that commonly effect on the gastrointestinal tract of the puppies. In this disease GIT Tract of puppy get disturbed. This disease mostly occur in the pups of age between 6 and 20 weeks old. But in few cases parvo virus can be seen in old aged dog also. A rare type of variant of this disease may be seen in a very young age ( neonatal ) puppies. This will cause myocarditis ( inflammation of the heart muscles ) in puppies.
Definition Of Canine Parvo Virus :
Canine parvo virus is the highly contagious virus that commonly causes GI disease in young, unvaccinated dogs. In this disease dog is suffering from anorexia ( loss of appetite ), lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea which is often hemorrhagic or blood is in loose stool.
Etiology And Pathophysiology :
As per name suggested that this disease occur in the puppies due to virus. The virus is CPV or Canine Parvo Virus is the highly contagious and relatively common cause of the acute, infectious GI illness in young and unvaccinated dogs. There is no any exact origin of this virus. Sometime it is believed that this virus is arisen from the the feline panleukopenia virus. This is the single – stranded DNA virus. This virus is resistant to many detergents and disinfectants, as well as to changes in the temperature and PH. This virus can persist indoors at room temperature for at least 2 months. Also this virus can persist for many months and possibly years.
There is most young ones are effected from this disease age up to 6 week to 6 months of age or unvaccinated dog can more effected from this viral disease. There are few breeds of dogs that are much more effected by this virus such as :
- American Pitbull Terriers.
- Doberman Pinschers.
- German Shepherds ( GSD ).
- English Springer Spaniels.
- Rottweilers.
First few weeks of life they are protected from the parvo virus due to effect of colostrum that help to produce antibodies in puppy body. This will helpful for puppy to fight against this disease or infection.
This virus is shed in the feces of the infected dogs with in 4-5 days of effect of this virus ( often before clinical signs develop ), throughout the period of illness. In this disease the infection is spread from the oral or nasal contact with virus containing feces.
Replication of this virus is initially occur in lymphoid tissue of oropharynx with systemic illness. Canine Parvo Virus is effect upon the intestinal crypt epithelium, Lymphopoietic tissue and bone marrow. There is adverse effect of intestinal epithelium necrosis, villous atrophy, impaired absorptive capacity and also disrupted gut barrier function. So this caused a adverse effect on the all intestinal components. There is bleeding occur in the intestine of dogs and can be seen in the feces of the pups.
Symptoms Of Canine Parvo Virus & Clinical findings :
Clinical signs of this disease can be seen in dogs within 5 -7 days of infection but can be range from 2 – 14 days during infection. There is few initial signs that show in virus such as lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting and few hemorrhagic small – bowel diarrhea within 24 – 48 hours. These are the initial findings that approximately 25 % of dogs may have non hemorrhagic diarrhea.
Physical Examination Findings : Depression, Fever, Dehydration and Intestinal Loops that are dilated and fluid filled, Abdominal pain, Intussusception, Poor pulse quality, Tachycardia and hypothermia. Although CPV – associated leukoencephalomalacia has been reported. CNS signs with hypoglycemia, sepsis or acid – base and electrolyte abnormalities. Inapparent or subclinical infection is common.
Gross necropsy lesions of Canine Parvo Virus can include :
- Intestinal wall is thick and discolor.
- Watery, mucoid or hemorrhagic intestinal contents.
- Edema and congestion of abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes.
- Thymic atrophy.
- Myocarditis.
Histology :
- Necrosis of crypt epithelium.
- Loss of crypt architecture.
- Villous blunting.
- Sloughing.
- Depletion of lymphoid tissue.
- Cortical lymphocytes ( Peyer patches, peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, thymus, spleen ) and bone marrow hypoplasia are also seen.
- Pulmonary edema.
- Alveolitis.
- Bacterial colonization of the lungs.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
- Syndrome.
- Endotoxemia.
- Septicemia.
Diagnosis Of Canine Parvo Virus :
Diagnosis of Canine Parvo Virus is totally depend upon the history and clinical signs and confirmation by fecal parvo viral antigen testing or viral PCR.
Treatment of Canine Parvo Virus :
Before treatment you should have to remember few points such as that dog suffer from CPV must isolated from the other dogs to prevent them from infection. In treatment of Canine Parvo Virus is totally depend upon the supportive care, including fluid therapy, electrolyte therapy, nutritional support, anti – emetics and antibiotics.
Prevention Points : Canine Parvo Virus
To prevent and control the CPV or Canine Parvo Virus, vaccination with a modified live vaccine is recommended at 6-8, 10-12 and 14-16 weeks of age followed by the booster administration 1 year later then every 3 years.
CPV or Canine Parvo Virus can remain viable in the environment for an extended period. In many kennel, shelter or hospital situation, cages and equipment’s should be cleaned, disinfected and dried twice before reuse.
Booster vaccination is much more essential for the protection from canine parvo virus.
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