Signs a Beagle Puppy Has Parvo

Parvovirus is very contagious among dogs. This form of the virus only affects dogs and cannot be passed to other animals or humans. Dogs of any breed, age or gender can be stricken with the virus. Infection does not always mean the dog will get sick. The sickness is more prevalent in older dogs, young puppies and Rottweilers and Dobermans.

  1. Overview of Parvo

    • Small dogs and puppies are more likely to die after infection.

      Parvo often causes death in canines. If the dog is very young or very small, chances of death from the virus increase. Unlike other viruses, parvo is equally likely to be transmitted year round because it survives through extremely cold and extremely hot weather. The virus is also continuously spread because normal cleaning products and alcohol have no effect on it.

    Types of Parvo

    • There are two forms of the virus, cardiac and intestinal.

      There are two forms of parvo, cardiac and intestinal. The cardiac form is most likely to infect puppies less than 8 weeks of age. The symptoms can include constant whimpering, difficulty breathing, gasping for breath, loss of appetite, loss of energy, irregular appetite and sudden death. The intestinal form can affect any dog, but puppies are more likely to get very sick. Symptoms of intestinal parvo are loss of appetite, fever, loss of energy, loose stool (with or without blood) and vomiting (may be bloody).

    Transmission

    • Sometimes an infected dog will display no symptoms.

      Parvo is transmitted when a sick dog comes into contact with an uninfected dog. The virus is found mostly in a sick dog's fecal matter. Dogs sniff where other dogs have defecated, and the virus enters the healthy dog's system through the nasal passages which is the most common method of infection. Parvo is also easily spread indirectly by hands, feet, clothing, shoes and any other object that will carry it.

    Cleaning

    • Use chlorine bleach to kill the virus.

      The best best way to kill parvo is with chlorine bleach. Mix 1 part bleach with 30 parts water and apply to all hard, nonporous surfaces for at least 10 minutes. Also, wash any cloth material the dog has come into contact with such as bedding and clothes in a hot wash cycle with bleach added. For clothing, bedding and carpets that cannot be cleaned with bleach, have these items steam cleaned to eliminate the virus.

      The virus itself cannot survive more than 30 days, and it is best to wait 30 days or more to return a dog to any infected outdoor area or other places that can't be thoroughly cleaned.

    Treatment

    • Take your dog to the vet immediately if symptoms of parvo occur.

      Recognizing the virus early is important to treat an infected dog. If you suspect your dog has the virus, or if you know it came into contact with an infected dog, get treatment from a veterinarian immediately. Since this is a virus, there is no medicine that will cure the dog. Fluids are important when treating dogs with the infection. Intravenous fluids will rehydrate and nourish the sick dog. Medication may be given to treat symptoms such as fever or diarrhea. Even with treatment or hospitalization there is no guarantee the dog will recover.