Realizing that there’s something seriously wrong with your dog is scary. For residents of Lubbock, TX, Animal Medical Center is here to help you identify and address any health issues your pet is experiencing. If you suspect your dog has parvo, contact our veterinarian immediately, as it is a life-threatening condition. Read on to learn how to identify parvo and how to minimize your pet’s chances of contracting it.
What is Parvo
Parvo is a gastrointestinal virus that can cause loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and bloat. It can quickly overtake a dog, especially a young puppy. The virus invades the small intestines, bone marrow, and lymphopoietic tissues, leading to malabsorption and inflammation of the heart tissues.
Any dog owner who thinks that their furry companion has parvo should seek out immediate care. This virus can lead to the dog’s death. The sooner intensive treatment starts, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Symptoms of parvovirus include:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Hypothermia
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Preventing Parvo
The best way to prevent your dog from contracting parvo is to ensure your dog’s immunizations are all up-to-date. Puppies are vaccinated against parvo and dogs receive boosters of the vaccine as part of a regular immunization schedule.
You can also ensure that your dog only spends time with healthy dogs. Parvovirus is transmitted through direct contact with a sick animal or indirect contact with items that contain parvo. Parvovirus is a hardy virus that can live for two months or longer at room temperature indoors. It can also survive months or years outdoors if it isn’t in direct sunlight. Many disinfectants and cleaners are unsuccessful in killing the virus.
It can also be transmitted through the fecal matter of an infected dog. For this reason, it’s imperative to keep your puppy away from any location where other dogs visit until your puppy has a full round of parvo vaccinations.
The full loading dose schedule of parvo vaccinations requires several immunizations. The first is given at 6 weeks of age. Then we continue every three weeks until they are over 18 weeks of age. Our veterinarian can give you more information about what vaccinations your dog should receive.
Veterinarian in Lubbock, TX
If your dog is showing signs of parvo, contact Animal Medical Center immediately. We will determine whether or not your dog is suffering from parvovirus and proceed from there. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 806-794-4118