Canine Parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious viral disease that is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs under 6 months of age. It first appeared in the late 1970s, and is now one of the most common serious dog disease problems encountered in animal shelters. Recently, Bend veterinarians have seen an increase in canine parvovirus and, perhaps of more concern, many of these dogs had already been previously vaccinated. Dr. Byron Maas, owner of Bend Veterinary Clinic, states, "It hasn't been just young dogs that haven't been vaccinated yet. It's been adult dogs with really good vaccination history." 

The disease is also reported in coyotes, foxes, and wolves and probably affects most, if not all, members of the canine family. Puppies are the most susceptible, and their clinical signs are worsened by concurrent infections with roundworms, other internal intestinal parasites, protozoa (such as Coccidia), and viruses or bacteria.  

Dr. Maas has seen six cases within the last few months where dogs tested positive for parvo.  

In general, if aggressive therapy is initiated early in the course of the disease, the prognosis for puppies to recover can be good, although fatalities do occur.  

Cause 

Dogs contract the virus by ingesting the feces or vomit of an infected dog. The parvovirus is very stable in the environment and very resistant to most disinfectants. It can persist in organic material in the environment for up to two years!  

Parvo disease is spread from dog to dog mainly through exposure to contaminated feces. It is also spread through contact with fomites (contaminated objects). Common fomites include shoes (whatever you walk through, you bring home to your pets), hands, instruments, clothing, food and water dishes, toys and bedding. Insects and rodents can also provide a means for disease spread. Dogs contract the disease by ingesting the feces or vomit of an infected dog.  

The incubation period, or period between contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms, is usually 4-6 days.

Parvovirus can be shed in the feces 3-4 days after infection with the virus, which is generally before clinical signs of illness appear. The virus will also be shed in the feces for 14 days post infection.

Clinical Signs 

Parvovirus affects the digestive system and the heart. The signs can vary widely:

• There can be sub-clinical infection with no signs or mild signs of lethargy and loss of appetite that only last for 1 or 2 days.
• Varying degrees of vomiting, foul-smelling diarrhea that can be very bloody, loss of appetite, fever, weakness, depression and dehydration.
• Affected puppies are also very leukopenic, meaning they have too few white blood cells.
• The heart symptoms are rarely seen today and usually occur in puppies infected in utero or during the neonatal period, but they can cause sudden death without other signs, sudden death weeks to months after apparent recovery from other parvo signs, or sudden onset of symptoms of congestive heart failure in puppies under 6 months of age.

The disease is commonly diagnosed by an evaluation of the clinical signs accompanied by clinical laboratory tests. It must be remembered that not all cases of bloody diarrhea and vomiting are caused by parvovirus, therefore, routine general surveillance testing for the disease is not recommended.  

Prevention

Veterinarians recommend a series of vaccinations starting when puppies are eight weeks old. The second booster shot should be administered at 12 weeks old and the third at 16 weeks. Some veterinarians recommend an extra booster at, or near, 21 weeks of age, especially in some particularly sensitive purebred dogs. Thereafter, booster vaccinations can be given once yearly or once every three years. Although some of these boosters are available 'over the counter', it is not recommended to purchase these vaccines. Mishandling, storage at inappropriate temperatures and improper administration all reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. Further, vaccine manufacturers only guarantee their products when administered in a licensed veterinary practice.    

A blood test, called a titer, can also be performed to determine the level of protection a dog has. A vaccine titer is a blood test that measures the antibody level a dog is carrying against a certain virus. There are two methods of measuring parvovirus antibody titer: Hemagglutination inhibition and serum neutralization. The value refers to how diluted the dog's serum (blood) must be for antibodies to still be detectable.  

The reason for the recent outbreak in Central Oregon is not known, though Maas suggests several explanations. He said some owners may be foregoing followup booster vaccinations. Another possibility is that the yearly boosters had become ineffective due to mishandling. The virus may have mutated and the cases may be a new strain of the disease.  

In light of the local increased incidence of parvo, your best bet for keeping Fido safe is to take preventive measures by staying away from public areas such as dog parks. Owners should be watchful of what they track into their homes, on the bottoms of their shoes. Call your veterinarian if you have questions or need advice on how to protect your pet from this preventable disease.   

While you are busy making your festive plans for the holidays, please don't forget to include your pets. The holidays are a time for giving, but there are some things you should not share with your furry friends. Once you know the hazards, a little precaution and prevention will make holidays a happy time for everyone.

Some of the more common holiday hazards include:

Holiday Feasts & Bones:

Leftovers from delicious meals can leave behind lots of tantalizing treats and bones, but don't feed them to your pet! Ingestion of fatty foods can cause a sometimes fatal condition called pancreatitis. Resist feeding steak and pork bones, too. Small bones or bone chips can become lodged in the throat, stomach, and/or intestinal tract. Sweet treats are unhealthy, and sometimes toxic, for dogs and cats.  

Holiday plants:

Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. The lovely poinsettia may not be truly poisonous, but its milky white sap and leaves can certainly cause severe gastric distress. With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet's reach.

Electrical cords:

Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way.

Candles:

Lighted candles should never be left unattended and that is even more important if left at kitty's eye level or within puppy's chewing zone. An exuberant tail or a swat of a paw can turn candles and hot wax into an instant disaster. Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

Holiday tree:

Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall, using strong cord or rope. Preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible or not used. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well. Check around the tree for fallen pine needles, which can puncture your pet's intestines if ingested. Sharp or breakable ornaments, dreidels, and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all costs! They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach. Linear objects like these are simply irresistible to some cats!  

Stress and company:

With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and sneaky pets. Make sure your pets have updated collars and tags on in case of escape. Microchipping your pet will also help if your pet escapes. All pets should have at least two forms of ID on them at all times. Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot and remind them that sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.

Each year, as the families we serve struggle to stretch holiday budgets, we see a sharp increase in demand for our services.

Your holiday gift can help families in need.

Nothing spreads the spirit of the holidays like the kindness of one animal lover helping another. Giving generously means that another family can keep their beloved companions healthy this holiday season.

A gift at any level will make a difference:

• $15 will help vaccinate one pet
• $45 will provide a spay or neuter for a kitten or cat (feral or friendly) 
• $100 will help provide a microchip, vaccines and spay/neuter surgery
• $200 alters a small cat colony
• $1000 provides medical equipment for our clinic 

We hope the pets we serve can count on your support!  

Thank you,
Your friends at Bend Spay and Neuter Project

P.S. Spread the word and tell your friends about our mission! Our goal is to end pet homelessness in Deschutes County by providing low cost spay and neuter services.