Monthly Update
Issue Contributors: Kenneth Palladino Jr., DVM, Practice Limited to
Internal Medicine @ CCVS  
Editor: William B. Henry DVM, DACVS  
November 2013

WHAT'S THE SCOOP WITH THAT POOP? - CANINE PARVOVIRUS PART 1

Kenneth Palladino Jr., DVM
 
 
HISTORY OF CANINE PARVOVIRAL INFECTIONS
Canine Parvovirus has been cited as the most common cause of infectious enteritis in dogs worldwide. Other causes of viral enteritis in dogs include canine distemper virus, canine enteric coronavirus, rotaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses and novel viruses that include a norovirus, kobuvirus, sapovirus, and possibly also a circovirus. Canine enteric coronavirus usually causes mild diarrhea in puppies less than 6 weeks of age. It can also be seen in conjunction with other viruses such as Canine Parvovirus. Rarely, canine enteric coronavirus has been found as a cause of more significant diarrhea in young dogs. 
 
Canine Parvovirus caused a worldwide pandemic of illness in dogs. It spread rapidly over about 1-2 years. In the USA, the initial research on the virus was carried out at the Baker Institute in Cornell University. The virus was noted almost simultaneously in other countries including Australia and many in Europe.  
 
For more on the History of Canine Parvoviruses CLICK HERE
 
TYPES OF CANINE VIRUSES
It is important to note that there are two types of Canine Parvovirus. Canine Parvovirus Type-1 is also called the Minute Virus of Canines and Parvovirus Type 2. Canine Parvovirus-2 has further evolved into type 2a, 2b and 2c. 
 
CANINE PARVOVIRUS-1 
Canine Parvovirus-1 was discovered in 1968 by Dr. Leonard Binn who isolated the virus from the normal feces of US  Army dogs stationed in Germany. (Figure 1)  Several retrospective studies later revealed neutralizing antibodies to Canine Parvovirus-1 in commercial canine distemper/hepatitis serum as early as 1956. Canine Parvovirus-1 is distinct from Canine Parvovirus-2 and the parvoviruses of other species. The complete genomic sequence of Canine Parvovirus-1 has been accomplished on isolates from Korea and the USA. The virus appears more closely related to the bovine parvovirus.  
 
CANINE PARVOVIRUS-2 
Canine Parvovirus-2 is the strain that emerged in 1978 and caused the worldwide pandemic. Many aspects of the virus itself may have led to such a rapid distribution. The virus is stable in the environment and highly contagious. The principal source of infection was likely feces sent via mail, and on shoes or clothes. Due to movement of dogs, and their owners, in transit by air, land or sea the virus was definitively noted worldwide by 1980. 
 
CANINE PARVOVIRUS-2a, 2b and 2c 
Canine Parvovirus-2a emerged around 1979. It was a mutation of the original Canine Parvovirus-2. Dr. Collin Parrish was able to determine that Canine Parvovirus-2a differed from Canine Parvovirus-2 in three amino acid changes in the capsid protein (VP-2) which resulted in antigenic change. Now the pathogenesis and mode of viral growth was affected. Canine Parvoirus-2 did not originally infect cats however Canine Parvovirus-2a was noted to have this ability. 
 
The virus quickly mutated again and in 1984 Canine Parvovirus-2b was discovered. These two strains became the predominant types but their geographical locations differed. Canine Parvovirus-2 underwent yet a third change when in 2000-2001 Canine Parvovirus-2c emerged in Italy. It has since been reported in regions around the world including Spain, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, South America and North America. This strain is highly virulent. It is thought to be the cause of more recent outbreaks, especially in some adult, vaccinated dogs. 
 
For more on Canine Parvovirus Types CLICK HERE
 
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Parvoviruses are small, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA viruses. The name comes from the Latin parvus, meaning small, as the virus is only 20 to 26 nm in diameter. It has an icosahedral symmetry. (Figure 2) They can survive for long periods in the environment, some over 1 year. Contact with the virus that persists in the environment is an important source of transmission. Small rodents and insects may also play a role as mechanical vectors of disease.   
 
Generally, puppies between 4 weeks and 6 months are susceptible. Those under the age of 12 weeks are especially at risk. Even partially vaccinated puppies are at risk due to interference of acquired immunity by maternal antibodies. Certain breeds of dogs have also been reported to be at a higher risk of developing parvoviral enteritis. These include Rottweilers, Staffordshire terrier breeds, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, English springer spaniels and Labrador retrievers. (Figure 3) Other risk factors that may play a role in increased susceptibility of certain breeds include breed popularity and lack of appropriate vaccination protocols. The disease may be more rapid or severe with concurrent infection with other enteric viruses such as Canine Corona virus. Intestinal parasites can also play a role in the severity of the disease, adding insult to the intestinal mucosa. 
 
For more on Epidemiology CLICK HERE.
 
DISEASE TRANSMISSION AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 
Transmission of the virus is through the fecal-oral route. The virus is shed in the feces or vomit of infected dogs. It is important to remember that the virus can persist on fomites such as clothing, water bowls, even hands. The incubation period for the virus is 7 to 14 days although shorter incubation periods have been reported in experimental infections. Once the virus enters the blood stream, it disseminates and causes damage to areas in the body that have rapidly dividing cells. Areas such as lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, thymus and especially the gastrointestinal tract are most susceptible.  
 
For more on Disease Transmission and Pathophysiology CLICK HERE.
 
CLINICAL SIGNS
Clinical signs at the onset of the disease are non-specific and can include lethargy, anorexia and fever. Within 24-48 hours most affected puppies will develop vomiting and small bowel diarrhea. (Figure 8) Gastrointestinal signs will usually lag behind viremia by about 2 to 3 days. The vomiting is usually copious and protracted. The diarrhea will often begin as watery and mucoid but will rapidly progress to hemorrhagic. The large amount of fluid losses from the diarrhea and vomiting leads to severe dehydration. Hypovolemic shock often ensues due to the dehydration coupled with severe protein loss through the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal pain is another consistent finding on physical examination. This can be secondary to severe gastroenteritis or intestinal intussusception.
 
See next month's article for more on Canine Parvovirus including diagnostics, treatment options and prevention.  
In This Issue
Canine Parvovirus Part 1
CT Scan Diagnostics
Business Tip
Tech Tip
Continuing Education
Wellness Practice Educational Tips
Previous Tech Tips
Newsletter Archive
CT Scan Diagnostic 

CCVS CT Scan Hours: 

  

8:00 AM-6:00PM 7 days a week.  1-800-457-4900  

The breakdown of CT charges are as follows:

1. CT Scan, In patient $905.00 (case already hospitalized at CCVS or referred to CCVS for work up and treatment and has a CT scan)  
2. CT Scan, Additional image (if you add an additional scan site $300.00)  
3. CT Scan, Out patient $985.00 **(case sent to CCVS exclusively for a CT; this includes charges for doctor overseeing case, IV catheter, and fluids post CT).  
4. CT "Met Check" $590.00  
5. CT STAT fee, $50.00 (on top of whatever you are doing). 

These charges cover the CT, the contrast, radiologists read, rapid infuser, sevo anesthesia, and technician fee if we need to call someone in for the CT. It does not cover injectable drugs, if needed for IV anesthesia; estimated additional cost $50.00-$75.00. 

 

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Business Tip

I have recently had a few clients who have Petplan Insurance and believed it was the best one they could find. Here is a comparison with Trupanion. Petplan advertise on the internet as being " the first choice of veterinarians when it comes to protecting your pets". I still rank Trupanion as the best pet insurance program available. The following comparison confirms it is superior to Petplan.

 

Tech Tip

Continuing Education Opportunies

All our lectures provide 2 hours of Continuing Education Credits. You can register online through our websites, Boston Veterinary Specialists and

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists. A meal is provided during each lecture. Your technicians are welcome as well.

Watch upcoming newsletters for future dates.
Wellness Practice Newsletters
Editors note:
Dr. Beverly Mason, Medical Director for our two general practices, writes a monthly newsletter that is emailed to our clients and printed for a handout to clients coming into the practices. They have been copied, pasted and passed around on the Internet. They are very concise, informative, and seasonally appropriate topics. Our general practice technicians find them helpful to educate their clients in the office and the email version gets very positive feedback on our Facebook and Yelp  accounts. We thought you might like to use them in your own practices and will provide them to you each month.      
     
This Month's Wellness Practice Newsletter: 
  
 
Previous Tech Tips 


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