Parvovirus Infection in dog
Definition
• CPV-2 infection is an acute systemic illness characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis.
• Often fatal in pups, who may collapse in a “shock-like” state and die suddenly without enteric signs, after only a brief period of malaise.
• The myocardial form, observed in pups during the early outbreaks when the dog population was fully susceptible, is now rare.
• Most pups are now protected against neonatal infection by maternal antibodies.
• Monoclonal antibodies have revealed antigenic changes in CPV-2 since its emergence in 1978.
• The original virus is now virtually extinct in the domestic dog population.
• The viruses currently circulating in dogs, designated CPV-2a and CPV-2b, have been genetically stable since 1984.
• These viruses are more virulent than the original isolates, and case mortality rates appear to be higher than in the earliest outbreaks.
• Most of the clinical literature is based on the response of dogs to CPV-2 and should be reevaluated in light of the emergence and dominance of the newer types in dogs.
• As with rabies variants, the antigenic changes in CPV-2 do not affect the ability of various vaccines to protect dogs.
First identified in 1977, this virus, which is related to the feline panleukopenia virus, usually strikes young, unvaccinated puppies under the age of 6 weeks, although all ages can be susceptible to infection.
Species
Dog
Breed Predilections
Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and English springer spaniels are reported to be at exceptional risk of severe disease.
Mean Age and Range
• Illness may occur at any age.
• Most severe illness occurs in pups 6–16 weeks of age.
Spreading
It is highly contagious, spreading from host to host via oral contamination with infected feces. Parvovirus affects the intestines, the immune system, and/or the heart of infected canines and can quickly be fatal if neglected.
Clinical Sign
The parvovirus is attracted to those areas of the body in which normal cells are actively dividing and multiplying. In dogs, the lining of the intestines, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are targeted areas. In addition, in puppies less than 6 weeks of age, the virus can infect heart cells, causing irreparable damage to this organ.
The intestinal form of the disease is by far the most common. Signs seen include loss of appetite, persistent vomiting, and profuse, odiferous diarrhea, often streaked with blood. In severe cases, the actual lining of the intestines may be shed in the stool. As these signs develop, dehydration and secondary bacterial infection can rapidly occur, especially in the young pup. If not treated immediately, both conditions can lead to organ failure and death.
The cardiac, or heart, form of the disease is usually characterized by sudden death for no apparent reason, and often with no outward signs to indicate involvement of the virus. In a few cases, severe breathing problems may arise as the heart is attacked, which may then be followed up by vomiting and diarrhea as the disease progresses into its intestinal stage.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of parvovirus infection is based on clinical signs, vaccination history, and laboratory tests. A declining white blood cell count, which reflects the virus’s invasion into the bone marrow, is one of the most consistent signs seen with parvovirus. In fact, this parameter is used as a prognostic indicator by veterinary clinicians for determining the severity of a particular infection. In general, if this white cell count continues to fall even after 3 days from the onset of clinical signs, the prognosis for recovery is poor. On the other hand, if the count rebounds, and starts its way back up by day 3, recovery can usually be expected, provided, of course, supportive treatment is continued.
Treatment
Because there are no specific antiviral agents available for this disease, treatment for parvovirus infection involves supportive care and the prevention of secondary complications. Success of treatment depends on many factors, including how quickly it is instituted after the onset of signs, how aggressively treatment is applied, and which strain of the virus is involved.
Intravenous fluids are a must in treating existing dehydration and preventing further dehydration from occurring. Supplementation with potassium, a substance vital to the normal motility of the intestinal tract, is also used to replace the amount that was lost from vomiting and diarrhea.
Since an infected puppy or dog cannot keep any food down, a dextrose or sugar supplement and vitamins may be given intravenously as well. Antibiotics and drugs designed to control vomiting are also part of the support plan. Good nursing care to maintain an adequate body temperature and reduce stress is also a must.
Finally, injections with special preparations of antibodies (immunoglobulin injections) that actively fight the parvovirus are showing great promise in the active treatment of parvovirus infections. Whole-blood transfusions with blood from vaccinated dogs can help achieve a similar effect.
Starting immunizations at a young age is the most effective way to prevent serious complications associated with parvovirus exposure and infection. To help reduce the chances of puppies coming down with the heart form of this disease, bitches should be current on vaccinations prior to breeding in order to ensure that optimum amounts of protective maternal antibodies will be passed on to the offspring.
Minimizing exposure is also an important control measure for parvovirus. This virus survives relatively well in the environment outside its host, so its contagiousness can last for weeks. All puppies and dogs, even those vaccinated, should be kept well away from dogs infected with the virus. Owners should also realize that some of these infected dogs can even shed the virus in their stools for weeks after clinical recovery. Puppies should be restricted in their contact with other dogs and with stressful situations until their vaccination program is complete. Contaminated environments can be cleaned with a 1:30 dilution of bleach to help inactivate the virus.
( source vet-zone )
• CPV-2 infection is an acute systemic illness characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis.
• Often fatal in pups, who may collapse in a “shock-like” state and die suddenly without enteric signs, after only a brief period of malaise.
• The myocardial form, observed in pups during the early outbreaks when the dog population was fully susceptible, is now rare.
• Most pups are now protected against neonatal infection by maternal antibodies.
• Monoclonal antibodies have revealed antigenic changes in CPV-2 since its emergence in 1978.
• The original virus is now virtually extinct in the domestic dog population.
• The viruses currently circulating in dogs, designated CPV-2a and CPV-2b, have been genetically stable since 1984.
• These viruses are more virulent than the original isolates, and case mortality rates appear to be higher than in the earliest outbreaks.
• Most of the clinical literature is based on the response of dogs to CPV-2 and should be reevaluated in light of the emergence and dominance of the newer types in dogs.
• As with rabies variants, the antigenic changes in CPV-2 do not affect the ability of various vaccines to protect dogs.
First identified in 1977, this virus, which is related to the feline panleukopenia virus, usually strikes young, unvaccinated puppies under the age of 6 weeks, although all ages can be susceptible to infection.
Species
Dog
Breed Predilections
Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and English springer spaniels are reported to be at exceptional risk of severe disease.
Mean Age and Range
• Illness may occur at any age.
• Most severe illness occurs in pups 6–16 weeks of age.
Spreading
It is highly contagious, spreading from host to host via oral contamination with infected feces. Parvovirus affects the intestines, the immune system, and/or the heart of infected canines and can quickly be fatal if neglected.
Clinical Sign
The parvovirus is attracted to those areas of the body in which normal cells are actively dividing and multiplying. In dogs, the lining of the intestines, lymph nodes, and bone marrow are targeted areas. In addition, in puppies less than 6 weeks of age, the virus can infect heart cells, causing irreparable damage to this organ.
The intestinal form of the disease is by far the most common. Signs seen include loss of appetite, persistent vomiting, and profuse, odiferous diarrhea, often streaked with blood. In severe cases, the actual lining of the intestines may be shed in the stool. As these signs develop, dehydration and secondary bacterial infection can rapidly occur, especially in the young pup. If not treated immediately, both conditions can lead to organ failure and death.
The cardiac, or heart, form of the disease is usually characterized by sudden death for no apparent reason, and often with no outward signs to indicate involvement of the virus. In a few cases, severe breathing problems may arise as the heart is attacked, which may then be followed up by vomiting and diarrhea as the disease progresses into its intestinal stage.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of parvovirus infection is based on clinical signs, vaccination history, and laboratory tests. A declining white blood cell count, which reflects the virus’s invasion into the bone marrow, is one of the most consistent signs seen with parvovirus. In fact, this parameter is used as a prognostic indicator by veterinary clinicians for determining the severity of a particular infection. In general, if this white cell count continues to fall even after 3 days from the onset of clinical signs, the prognosis for recovery is poor. On the other hand, if the count rebounds, and starts its way back up by day 3, recovery can usually be expected, provided, of course, supportive treatment is continued.
Treatment
Because there are no specific antiviral agents available for this disease, treatment for parvovirus infection involves supportive care and the prevention of secondary complications. Success of treatment depends on many factors, including how quickly it is instituted after the onset of signs, how aggressively treatment is applied, and which strain of the virus is involved.
Intravenous fluids are a must in treating existing dehydration and preventing further dehydration from occurring. Supplementation with potassium, a substance vital to the normal motility of the intestinal tract, is also used to replace the amount that was lost from vomiting and diarrhea.
Since an infected puppy or dog cannot keep any food down, a dextrose or sugar supplement and vitamins may be given intravenously as well. Antibiotics and drugs designed to control vomiting are also part of the support plan. Good nursing care to maintain an adequate body temperature and reduce stress is also a must.
Finally, injections with special preparations of antibodies (immunoglobulin injections) that actively fight the parvovirus are showing great promise in the active treatment of parvovirus infections. Whole-blood transfusions with blood from vaccinated dogs can help achieve a similar effect.
Starting immunizations at a young age is the most effective way to prevent serious complications associated with parvovirus exposure and infection. To help reduce the chances of puppies coming down with the heart form of this disease, bitches should be current on vaccinations prior to breeding in order to ensure that optimum amounts of protective maternal antibodies will be passed on to the offspring.
Minimizing exposure is also an important control measure for parvovirus. This virus survives relatively well in the environment outside its host, so its contagiousness can last for weeks. All puppies and dogs, even those vaccinated, should be kept well away from dogs infected with the virus. Owners should also realize that some of these infected dogs can even shed the virus in their stools for weeks after clinical recovery. Puppies should be restricted in their contact with other dogs and with stressful situations until their vaccination program is complete. Contaminated environments can be cleaned with a 1:30 dilution of bleach to help inactivate the virus.
( source vet-zone )
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