Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

Canine Parvovirus (CPV), or incorrectly called "cat flu", is a very serious, very contagious viral disease in dogs. In the South Coast CPV is one of the major killers in dogs. The main signs are vomiting and diarrhoea, but in rarer cases the heart muscle can also be affected. The disease is mainly transmitted from infected dogs through contact with faeces. CPV is a vaccine preventable disease. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies and young dogs are mainly at risk. Humans are not affected. Early recognition of the symptoms and prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Symptoms & Diagnosis
Common signs are quick onset of lethargy, vomition, inappitence, bloody diarrhoea, dehydration and collapse. In the case where the heart muscle was affected sudden death can also be seen.

The fairly accurate diagnosis of Canine Parvovirus is made on a stool test. Strong indicators, such as an unvaccinated puppy, severe vomition and diarrhoea can be very indicative, but because there are some other common, less dangerous diseases that can look very similar, it is better to be sure.

Transmission
Apart from being very contagious, the CPV is also a very stubborn virus and can survive in the environment for weeks to months! This virus is excreted in the faeces of effected dogs, where an at risk dog then ingest it through the mouth (licking, eating sniffing). Canine Parvovirus can also be, and very often are, ingested from an indirect source such as in contact clothes, hands, fur of other dogs etc. In some reports it was proven that the virus can survive in the environment for close to a year.

Treatment
Early recognition of the symptoms and prompt treatment can be lifesaving. Important factors to be aware when it comes to the treatment of CPV are dehydration, electrolyte correction, anorexia, septicaemia and a weak immune system. Almost all these cases should be hospitalised for intensive treatment including intravenous fluids, antibiotics, immune boosters, anti-emetics and some sort of assist feeding. Complete treatment can take anything from 3 to about 10 days.

Untreated dogs will almost invariable die, but intensive treatment increases the average success rate to about 80%. Reports say that black and tan coloured dogs, such as Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and Pit bull terriers are more at risk of dying.

Prevention
The best way to prevent this disease is by vaccinations. The routine Canine Parvovirus vaccine should be given early and boosted regularly. Puppies should be vaccinated at 6 weeks, 9 weeks and then 12 weeks of age. Adult dogs should then be vaccinated once every year.

Strong disinfectants containing a chlorine or Quaternary Ammonium (QACs) base are proven to be effective and can be used to minimise the spread of CPV. The F10 disinfectant range (containing QACs and Biguanidine) are strongly recommended.

"Cat Flu"
As the word "cat flu" may imply, this disease actually has nothing to do with felines! Being a fairly new disease (recognised in 1978), the virus was thought to be originating from the feline panleukopenia virus (FPV - also a parvovirus and called by some the true "cat flu"). Since its discovery, newer technology has disproved this thought and although the two viruses are 98% identical they are not transmitted to and from cats.

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