Symptoms of Parvovirus Disease in Dogs

Canine parvovirus is a highly infectious viral disease. Symptoms of parvovirus manifest within three to seven days after the dog's initial exposure to the virus, and without medical treatment, death can occur within 48 to 72 hours. It is important for dog owners to learn and recognize the signs and symptoms of canine parvovirus so that proper medical attention can be administered immediately to help increase your pet's chance of survival.

  1. Loss of Appetite

    • One of the first signs of parvovirus is loss of appetite. This symptom may be difficult to detect in finicky eaters that routinely turn up their nose at the food being presented to them. If your dog refuses to eat, even when offered highly palatable foods, and is exhibiting other symptoms associated with canine parvovirus, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

    Depression/Lethargy

    • At the initial onset of infection, your dog may appear depressed or lethargic. Lethargy can be recognized by general weakness and apathy of the limbs, sleepiness and sluggish behavior. If your dog is normally very active and attentive, these symptoms can indicate a serious medical problem, including the onset of canine parvovirus.

    Fever

    • A dog's body temperature normally averages between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Dogs suffering from parvovirus often develop a fever that can climb as high as 106 degrees. Determining if your dog has a fever can be difficult, because contrary to popular belief, it is not as easy as checking for a warm, dry nose. The best method for checking for a fever in your dog is to use an electronic rectal thermometer. A dog running a high fever may also exhibit other signs of discomfort, including shivering, runny nose and depression or lethargy.

    Vomiting

    • Chronic vomiting is one of the key indicators that your dog may be infected with parvovirus. Recurrent vomiting is a very serious condition, because it can quickly cause your pet to become dangerously dehydrated from loss of fluid. Vomit that stems from parvovirus may contain signs of blood. A puppy that experiences a sudden onset of chronic vomiting should immediately be tested by a veterinarian for the presence of canine parvovirus.

    Diarrhea

    • Severe diarrhea is also a common symptom of canine parvovirus. As with recurrent vomiting, chronic diarrhea will quickly lead to dehydration and even shock in infected dogs. The rapid loss of essential fluid from severe diarrhea and vomiting is the leading cause of death from parvovirus. Diarrhea that is caused by the virus may contain signs of blood.