The most common infectious disease of canines in the United States is Canine parvovirus. Parvo Symptoms are generally characterized by diarrhea, quite often bloody, vomiting, lethargy and severe dehydration. Strains are professionally labeled Type 2 (CPV-2). About 25 years ago in the early 1980's, the original strain of CPV-2 was supplanted by the variety known as CPV-2A and in 1986, yet another variety formally named CPV-2B came on the scene. Presently, CPV-2B is pretty much the major Parvo player, replacing all others. Because all of these strains and Parvo Symptoms in Puppies. are all similar, its easier to just call the family CPV-2 (parvovirus). There is currently some concern that there may be other strains that are starting to manifest and have yet to be formally labeled.

Present day vaccinations have assisted in the control of the spread of the disease, however although many dogs are vaccinated, some still contract the disease and the outcome is often fatal. There is a great deal that is not known about the virus or the most effective way to treat the disease – although it seems that there are many herbal/holistic methods that are showing success, even surpassing survival rates of veterinarian clinics.

One problem is misinformation about the disease, its spread, and vaccination. With a better understanding natural of the disease, pet owners will be able to make good husbandry decisions that will help prevent and reduce the spread of this disease.

How is parvo spread?

Parvo is able to survive on inanimate objects - such as dog food pans, and kennel floors, and even clothing - for 36 weeks and longer in the right conditions. Certain insects and various rodents can serve as carriers playing an important role in the transmission of the disease. All parvoviruses are resistant to adverse environmental influences such as low pH and high heat, and even short bursts of cold or freezing weather. Exposure to ultraviolet light and a 1 to 32 dilution of bleach – or approcimately ½ cup bleach per gallon of water can assist in making the disease inactive. However, the bleach solution can lose its effectiveness by organic matter and requires sufficient exposure in the proper concentration to be successful. Incubation period for CAV-2 is from 7-14 days, which is when parvo symptoms will first appear. The virus can manifest itself in the feces within 3 days of exposure, many times prior to clinical symptoms, and may be sustained for one to two weeks after the disease's onset.

What are Parvo Symptoms?

There is a wide range in the seriousness of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with the disease. Adult dogs exposed to the virus can show little, if any symptoms. Most cases of Parvo are seen in dogs less than 6 months of age being most severe in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age. There are also significant differences in response to CPV-2 infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs. Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Labradors are statistically more susceptible than other breeds. The most prevalent form of the disease is the gastrointestinal form known as enteritis. Enteritis is manifested by often intense vomiting, diarrhea, and most notably, severe dehydration. It is important to realize that the symptoms are what usually kills the animal, and not the virus itself. Visual inspection of the feces will reveal it to be dark and bloody. In more dangerous cases, high fever and reduced white blood cell counts are detected. Aggressive CPV-2 enteritis can occur in dogs of any breed, sex, or age. The disease will progress very rapidly and death can result as early as two days after the onset of the disease. The presence of certain bacteria, parasites, or other viruses can amplify the seriousness of the disease and slow down the recovery process.

Diagnosis

The presence of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are not always caused by Parvovirus and oftentimes sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having the disease. The only reliable method of knowing whether or not a dog has the Parvovirus is by a controlled lab test. The traditional method of the blood, has given way to a quicker, simpler and less expensive test that can be done to the fecal matter of the puppy suspected to have contracted Parvo. Time is of the essence when testing for this disease, making the latter test more desirable. In any event, proper testing of all suspected cases is the only way to correctly diagnose and treat this disease.

Treatment

Treating a puppy infected is fairly straightforward and directed at supporting the systems under attack by the CPV-2 virus (There is no cure or means to destroy the virus – it must run it's course). Natural body fluids are lost because of vomiting and diarrhea and therefore, these fluids must be replaced. Traditionally, administration of rehydrating fluids along with an electrolyte solution is used, but in the recent phenomenon of natural cures, oral fluids may be administered along with natural methods while the puppy is cared for at the home.

It is very important to understand that the disease must run its course, and it is the Parvo Symptoms themselves that are treated, and not the virus. This has paved the way for some very successful natural remedies being employed. Body fluids being rapidly dismissed through diarrhea and vomiting is the primary concern. Traditionally, in cases of severe vomiting, drugs to slow the vomiting were used, but this aspect has been also addressed successfully by utilizing natural herbs, with less strain on the already weakened system. Parvaid is the most well known natural remedy with a success rate exceeding that of veterinary care.

It is also important to restrict food intake during periods of vomiting. Even with the best available care, the mortality of severely infected animals is high. Without the correct amount of properly balanced intravenous fluids, the chance of recovery in a severely stricken animal is very small. However, as previously stated, there has been a rise of reported success rates by the use of natural approaches. Figures as high as 85 percent have been quoted. Because the approach is natural, without known side effects, Some vets are open to using natural treatments and many have reported excellent results. For many, this is reason enough to have these remedies on hand, just in case Parvo Symptoms do crop up.