What is parvo disease?

Answer 1

Canine Parvovirus ("Parvo") is a viral disease of dogs. It affects puppies much more frequently than it affects adult dogs. The virus likes to grow in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body. The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody), depression and suppression of white blood cells -- which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells. In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to "sudden" death.

"Parvo" is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids. Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an immature immune system. When dogs and puppies contract parvo, they often have diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Usually they stop eating and develop a bloody, foul-smelling, liquid stool.
Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, and death follow.

Parvovirus is characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, high fever and lethargy. The diarrhea is particularly foul smelling and is sometimes yellow in color. Parvo can also attack a dog's heart causing congestive heart failure. This complication can occur months or years after an apparent recovery from the intestinal form of the disease. Puppies who survive parvo infection usually remain somewhat unhealthy and weak for life.

If you suspect your puppy or dog has Parvo, or has been exposed to it, contact your veterinarian immediately. A clinical evaluation and diagnosis by a qualified veterinary professional, including a test for Parvo, will determine if your dog does indeed have Parvo and requires urgent veterinary intervention and care.

Answer 2

its an extremely deadly disease for dogs if left untreated. It is a virus that affects the lining of the digestive system. It causes vomitting, blow-out diarrhea, lethargy, and fever. Most commonly you will see that the dog stops eating and will have very severe bloody diarrhea. They have a vaccine against it...it is included in the DHLPP vaccine at your local vet. Also, it is easily discovered by doing the parvo SNAP test. IT takes 10 minutes to get the results. Can be treated if caught early enough. It is also highly able to live in the environment for many months. It takes usually 7-10 days for the dog or puppy to test positive and start to show symptoms...usually only puppies and older, ill dogs get parvovirus. Any other questions, try looking at this website... http://www.workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm......Goodluck!

Answer 3

Parvo is not a disease but a virus that causes severe dehydration. Vomiting, Diarrhea . and certain Death. It is usually passed from one dog to another by 1 dog going behind anothers fecal matter. It mostly attacks pups. There are a vaccinations for this but not a cure usually once you dog gets it. It kills very fast. Within a couple of days. Symptoms are ; Vomiting Diarrhea being lethargic, and almost constant water drinking. If dog poops a large puddle of blood than most likely it to late.

Answer 4

it is a terrible disease that attacks the dogs intestine. they will throw up. and most likely they wont make it through. puppies usually get it bc it is so highly contagious. parvo germs can live on surfaces for 6 months. there are shots the dog can get to pervent it. but once the dog has it. especially if its a puppy it will take alot of money and work to get it back to healthy. also the dog may not even show signs of it until 6 weeks into the disease. so you need to be careful!

Answer 5

Parvo is a very serious intestinal disease in dogs. They get very sick. Start getting depressed and have no energy first. Usually starts with infectious looking "poop". Then turns into bloody watery "poop". They throw up clear or yellowish throw up. Loose their appetite and get dehydrated. The dehydration is what usually kills them-------not the disease. Can be carried in thru other dogs or something as simple as you walking in infected "poop" and you carrying it back in. It can take 6 months to a year to be rid of the virus even after your dog is better. Bleach is the only thing that kills the virus. It can be very costly if you have the vet treat them. About 6 months ago one of my dogs got it while we were on vacation. My daughter didn't know he was sick----------just thought he was missing us. By the time we got home and I got him to the vet he was really bad. They wanted a $500.00 non refundable deposit to keep him (which they recommended) And couldn't make me any guarantees of saving my dog. And no clue how much more it could cost. I couldn't afford the deposit and ask them if I could treat him at home. They said I could but he already only had a 50/50 chance if he stayed in the hospital and less than that if I took him home. They sent me home with IV medicine, antibiotic and 2 or 3 other medicines. Didn't seem to be really helping after about a day of giving it to him. I did research on line and found a product called Parvo Guard. Was skeptical, but ordered it anyway. Gave it to him for 2 days. After the first dose he was already eating. Now you would never know he had it at all. Had puppies too and gave them one dose and they never got sick.

Answer 6

As everyone else has told you and you are probably aware of now,it is an awful disease.And one you certainly don't want your dog to get.
If it has got it,the quicker you get it to the vet and put on a drip the more chance you will have of the dog surviving.As one of the complications to parvo is a dog dehydrating.Once this gets to severe,the dog will most probably die.
Make sure your dog has it's yearly booster vaccination and you will not have any problems.
It is more common in young puppies and also old dogs that haven't been vaccinated as their immunity isn't as good.

Answer 7

Parvo is a viral infection that affects the lining of the digestive tract. It can ultimately affect the heart. Puppies are more susceptible to parvo because of their young immune systems.

Answer 8

)Parvo is an intestinal virus. The dogs become very sick with diarrhea, throwing up. Diarrhea is bloody and has a foul odor. The dogs usually die from dehydration caused by the virus.

Answer 9

It's a virus that you DO NOT want your poor dog to get....please make sure it gets all of its vaccinations