Canine parvovirus is a condition that affects more dogs than any other infectious disease in the United States. Parvovirus began to emerge in the U.S. around 1980 and is highly contagious. This disease most commonly is seen in puppies. Puppies that have been vaccinated for the disease can still contract parvovirus and become quite sick or die. Certain breeds of dogs are at an increased risk of developing a severe case of parvovirus. These include the Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher and the Labrador retriever.
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Gastrointestinal Effects
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The most common form of canine parvovirus affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, dark stool, bloody stool and lowered white blood cell counts. The most dangerous part of gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs is dehydration. According to Long Beach Animal Hospital.com, parvovirus makes eating and drinking painful for the dog and may result in dehydration. Vomiting and diarrhea also can cause increased weakness because of a disruption of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium in the dog's body. The presence of parasites or bacteria also can hamper the dog's ability to recover from parvovirus.
Cardiovascular Effects
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Parvovirus can cause a heart condition known as myocarditis. Myocarditis causes inflammation of the thickest layer of the heart wall and affects puppies that contract the disease. According to The Dog Health Handbook.com, myocarditis is a serious condition that may cause pulmonary collapse and cardiac insufficiency. However, this form of parvovirus has a lower mortality rate than the gastrointestinal form of parvovirus. Since veterinarians have begun vaccinating puppies against the disease, myocarditis is far less common.
Weight Loss
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Puppies that contract the canine parvovirus often suffer from anorexia, which is a lack of appetite. Parvovirus causes the stomach to cramp, and most dogs that suffer from a severe form of the disease do not eat well, if at all. When anorexia is combined with the other symptoms of the disease such as diarrhea and vomiting, the result is a rapid and significant amount of weight loss. Other effects of parvovirus in dogs are fever, weakness, dehydration and lethargy. Some dogs that suffer from the effects of parvovirus may have mild to moderate symptoms, and others may die within just a few hours after symptoms appear.
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