What is Canine Parvo?
This highly contagious virus is the most common virus that causes death in puppies. It causes the lining of the intestines to be stripped of it's villi, resulting in severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea, fever, lethargy, inappetence and septic infection. It can even cause heart problems in very young puppies. Animamls that contract the disease usually require hospitalization for days to weeks. This must be done in an isolation room and proper procedures have to be followed to prevent the spread of the disease to other areas of the hospital. The virus is very stable in the environment and can live for up to 6 months at room temperature. The vaccine is very effective at preventing the disease. |