Canine parvovirus is a severe, contagious disease that is often fatal to puppies and severely debilitating to adult dogs. The parvovirus damages the dog through attacking the dog's intestines and damaging the lining of the dog's intestinal tract, which allows bacteria to attack the weakened area. Learning more about the symptoms of canine parvovirus leads to early intervention that can save a dog's life.
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Lethargy
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Because canine parvovirus will exhaust a dog's resources and energy, a dog who has been affected by it will seem tired and lethargic. He might be uninterested in playing or exercising, and even he is active, he won't be able to maintain that level of activity.
Loss of Appetite
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The dog's intestinal tract loses its ability to function when the parvovirus starts affecting it. Because of this, the dog's digestion will be disrupted, and this can lead to feelings of discomfort that culminate in a loss of appetite. A loss of appetite can mean many things, but it is a sign that the dog's owner should try to determine what might be causing the problem.
Fever
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The dog's body will raise her own internal temperature to try to kill off the parvovirus that is attacking her. Fever can be sign of parvovirus or another illness in the dog, and dog owners should take a dog with a fever to the veterinarian.
Vomiting
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A dog with parvovirus will be inclined to vomit because of his malfunctioning digestive tract. The vomiting may be severe, and dog owners may notice projectile vomiting, where matter is ejected at great force.
Diarrhea
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Parvovirus affects the dog's intestinal tract, which is instrumental in the dog's ability to process food and waste. Because the intestinal tract is not functioning properly, a dog might have diarrhea. The dog's stool may also be bloody, which indicates severe injury in the digestive tract. Dog owners should take a dog with bloody diarrhea to the veterinarian immediately.
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