(970)856-4474
Surface Creek Veterinary Center
  • Home
  • Meet the Team
  • What Pet Owners Are Saying
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Laser Information
  • Therapy Laser
  • Farm Page
  • Dental Information
  • Laboratory Information
  • Hospital tour
  • X-ray Information
  • Microchipping
  • Resources
  • Map

Parvo is live and well in Delta county

11/8/2014

1 Comment

 
We have seen a rapid uptick in the number of Parvovirus cases we are seeing lately.  This is an entirely preventable disease, caused by a very hardy virus.  The virus is spread via fecal-oral contact, which means anywhere any infected dog has pooped, your dog could be infected.  They might walk through an area that looks clean, but really isn't, then lick their feet when they get home.  They might be sniffling in the grass in a contaminated area, then lick their nose.  There are so many ways your dog can be exposed, it is scary.  That is why vaccinations are so important.  This disease can be prevented by a full series of puppy shots, and by 18 weeks your little furball should be immune.  And do remember to keep up with those annual boosters, to maintain that protection throughout life.  Unvaccinated dogs of any age are susceptible.
The cases we are seeing have all come out of Delta.  As a precaution, avoid dog parks and common dog walking areas with your young puppies, or if you have young puppies at home.  You could easily bring this virus home on the bottom of your shoes.  Better safe than sorry!
The Parvo virus in dogs attacks the lining of the intestinal tract, and this results in diarrhea and vomiting.  Left untreated many dogs will die of dehydration or secondary bacterial infection.  With proper diagnosis and early treatment, many dogs will survive.  Having had any vaccines, even one parvo shot, greatly increases the odds of survival.  During treatment, we keep dogs hydrated through IV fluids or fluids under the skin.  This is an essential way of hydrating because with the damaged intestinal lining they cannot absorb fluids the usual way, by drinking.  We also treat them with antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection in their susceptible condition.  Additionally, we use some other medications that help the intestinal tract, as well as keep the dogs totally off food and water.  This allows the intestines to heal without further irritation.
In conclusion, dogs and puppies that are not vaccinated are at significant risk of Parvo infection.  All dogs should be vaccinated for this deadly disease.  If your dog or puppy is not vaccinated, call us immediately to get them scheduled, and in the meantime, do not take them anywhere other dogs go...which is just about everywhere.
  For you cat owners, Dr. Jeff says not to worry about this K9 disease, but also wants you to know there is a feline virus in the same family of parvo viradae. 
1 Comment
Hillary link
5/23/2022 08:38:15 am

Apppreciate your blog post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    October 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011

    Categories

    All
    Allergies
    Amputation
    Anesthesia
    Arthritis
    Bloodwork
    Caseous Lymphadenitis
    Cats
    Cattle
    Circovirus
    Declawing
    Dental Disease
    Dog Jog
    Dogs
    Endocrine Disorders
    Flower
    Goats
    Heart
    Heartworm Disease
    Holidays
    Hyperthyroidism
    Injection Site Sarcoma
    Kidney
    Laser
    Liver
    Obesity
    Pancreatitis
    Pregnancy
    Puppy
    Rabies
    Sea Lions
    Soft Tissue Sarcoma
    Teeth
    Vaccination
    Weight Issues

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.