Canine parvovirus, or parvo, is an infectious and potentially deadly disease that can affect dogs. Vaccinating your dog against parvo is vital for maintaining its health and happiness for the future. Clinton Hill Animal Clinic in Brooklyn, NY, offers parvo vaccination and treatment to keep your dog healthy and happy. Continue reading to learn more about parvo and how we can treat it.
Parvo Basics
Parvo is a disease that affects a dog's digestive tract, causing several gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Your dog may also have a loss of appetite and lethargy. Dogs are at the highest risk of parvo when they are between 8 and 16 weeks old or are unvaccinated. Dogs of any age can catch parvo, but puppies typically get much sicker from this disease than adult dogs.
The Parvo Cycle
Dogs typically catch parvo from the environment since the virus is present in feces. Dogs will smell each other’s feces to communicate, which leads to other dogs getting infected. Parvo can also get into the soil and infect other dogs who encounter it. Containing parvo outbreaks can be challenging due to the contagious nature of the virus.
Preventing Parvo
The best way to treat parvo is to help your dog avoid getting it in the first place. Vaccinations can significantly reduce your dog’s risk of catching parvo. Avoiding parvo without vaccination is nearly impossible since the virus is present in other dog’s feces and the soil.
Your veterinarian will give your puppy a series of three shots, beginning when it is 8 to 10 weeks old. Your pup’s series will be complete at 16 to 18 weeks, but your dog will still need booster vaccines. Your dog should get the first booster one year after the puppy series and every three years after that.
Treating Parvo
Vaccinated dogs rarely catch parvo. Unvaccinated dogs have a significantly higher risk of catching the disease than vaccinated dogs. Many pet owners think the virus is a death sentence, but treatment options are available at your veterinarian near me.
The main cause of death from parvo is dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea rather than the disease itself. Treatment focuses on supportive care to help your dog’s body fight off the virus. Your veterinarian can treat your dog’s parvo with antibiotics and IV fluids. The antibiotics keep your dog from developing a secondary infection, while the fluids keep it hydrated until symptoms subside.
Get Your Dog Vaccinated for Parvo at an Animal Hospital Near You in Brooklyn, NY
Vaccinations are the best way to prevent your dog from facing significant health issues due to canine parvovirus, so contact Clinton Hill Animal Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, to vaccinate your dog against parvo today. We offer emergency pet care at our animal hospital and preventative pet care to keep your dog healthy and happy. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (718) 623-3999.