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This is one of the most deadly viral infections
for dogs. Young puppies who have not yet finished their vaccination
schedules and dogs with compromised immune symptoms are most at risk.
TRANSMISSION and SYMPTOMS
The virus is easily transmitted through a fecal-oral route. You can
track in fecal matter on your shoes and expose your dog to it at home.
Parks that have many dogs using it are high-risk areas, as are unknown
dogs which may be shedding the virus. Some breeds, for example the
Rottweiler, are more subsceptible to contracting this disease.
Lethargy and listlessness, proceeding rapidly to
almost uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting.
TREATMENT
The puppy must be taken in immediately to the veterinarian for round the
clock monitoring and IV's to replace the fluids the puppy is losing.
If the puppy survives, he will make a full
recovery. There are no lasting effects of the illness and he will be
fully immune to the disease thereafter, assuming a healthy immune
system.
PREVENTION
A full series of vaccinations, with the last shot being scheduled for
after 20 weeks of age is essential. Isolation -- don't let the at-risk
dog be exposed to other dogs or their feces.
If you have an area (house and/or backyard) that
has been exposed to a dog with Parvo, you can clean it up with a 3%
bleach solution (3 parts bleach to 100 parts water).
Thank you
to Cindy Moore, rpd-info@netcom.com
and K-web.com for
this letting us cross post this important article about Parvo. Find this article at: K-9web.com
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