23/06/2017
Good morning everyone. Hope you have had a wonderful week and you're preparing for a fantastic weekend.
This week our topic is canine parvovirus:
"But hold up, what is parvovirus?"
Let me tell you: The parvovirus is a highly contagious disease in dogs. This virus attacks rapidly, dividing cells such as those in the lymph nodes, intestinal lining and bone marrow. This results in a depletion of white blood cells which is necessary for the immune system to function.
"OK now that we know what it is; what does it do?"
The virus continues its attack on the body causing rapid death to intestinal cells leading to the breaking away of the intestinal lining, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe intestinal bleeding. This (if left untreated) will eventually lead to the death of your puppy.
"This is all very scary, but how do dogs catch it?"
The parvovirus spreads easily from dog to dog through direct or indirect contact with their faeces. They become infected through oral contact with the faeces, infected soil or fomites.
"What are the syptoms involved and how do we prevent the animal from catching it?"
The symptoms include: lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, bloody diarrhoea, Dehydration and collapse.
The only to prevent the parvovirus is through vaccination.
So insure that your pets are all vaccinated up to date and let's keep them happy and healthy. And please remember other people pets too and if yours does happen to contract the parvovirus to keep it away from other dogs as to prevent more animals from catching it.
I do hope this has been helpful and informative. Have a wonderful weekend and always remember to love and play with your pets and take your dog's out for a walk, it's good for their health.
