[P640]Prevent Spread Of Infection

The canine parvovirus is the most contagious disease that can affect dogs that have not been protected against the virus. It is most common in puppies from the age of weaning until they are six months old. Older dogs can contract it, but it is less common. The dog parvo symptoms can include, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea.

The disease can quickly spread between unprotected dogs through their feces. It will not be transmitted to humans, but humans can spread it between dogs. If your dog that has been exhibiting dog parvo symptoms, it is important to keep that dog separated from other unprotected dogs.

The disease has been spread in the places that dogs congregate. Dog parks, kennels, pet shops, and obedience classes are all places that the disease can spread. Typically dog kennels and grooming shops will require that dogs have been vaccinated for the disease before they are allowed to come in. However if a dog is exhibiting the dog parvo symptoms, whether it has been vaccinated or not, it should be kept out of these places and away from other dogs. A vaccination is not a guarantee that the dog will not contract the illness but it is a good insurance policy.

There are two different types of dog parvo that can be found. The first is enteritis, and the dog parvo symptoms that are present are the loss of appetite, lack of energy and vomiting that was described earlier. The dog will seem to be in extreme pain during this particular type of parvo. They can die within two or three days if they are not treated. A dog may also recover from the illness and suffer no long-term effects. Because there is no way to tell which dogs will recover and which ones will not, all dogs need to be treated by a veterinarian whenever dog parvo symptoms are present.

The second type of parvo is myocarditis. This form of the disease will attach the muscle cells in the heart. Puppies who contract this form of parvo may stop feeding from the mother and could potentially die within a matter of minutes or days. There is no treatment that has been effective in this form of the disease. It is important that the dog with the illness be kept apart from other dogs to prevent the diseases spread.

When you are trying to prevent the spread of dog parvo it is necessary to be aware of the dog parvo symptoms and keep dogs separated that are exhibiting them. You should get your dog immunized to protect them in case they come into contact with dogs that have the illness. The disease can be quite devastating if it is allowed to spread.