13 Little-Known Factoids About Parvo Virus

1. 80% of dogs that are infected by Canine Parvovirus that are not treated die in four to five days - with the older 2a and 2b strains of the virus.
2. Fully-vaccinated dogs, including both puppies and adults, are being infected by and dying from the current 2c strain of the Parvovirus.
3. For reasons nobody yet understands, some breeds, such as Rottweilers, Black & Tan Coonhounds, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Pit Bulls are more prone to the Parvovirus.
4. Although the Parvovirus is especially prevalent in the southern states, with California, Texas, Arizona and Florida being the four worst hit, every state in the US, including Hawaii and even Alaska, are suffering outbreaks.
5. The Canine Parvo virus can survive extremes of temperature, including both frost and hot weather, and can live in the ground for up to twenty years, making it incredibly hard to destroy.
6. If you take your dogs to the vet's to be treated, it could cost you anywhere from $500 to over $10,000 per dog.
7. You can only expect a 25% - 80% chance of a full recovery if you take your dog to the vet.
8. It is now suspected that the latest 2c strain may be airborne, even though the Canine Parvo virus has historically been transmitted through contact with infected feces and vomit.
9. It is ironic that cats can now be infected by the latest 2c strain of Canine Parvo virus, given that it has always been suspected that Canine Parvovirus originally evolved from a similar feline virus, Feline Panleukopenia (aka Feline Distemper).
10. The latest 2c strain of Parvo can kill your dog within one day of symptoms first appearing, with some dogs dying in only six hours.
11. The Canine Parvo virus can incubate for anywhere from three days to 15 days, although five to seven days is the average. This means that your dog could be sick for up to two weeks and you would not even know it, as there would be no visible symptoms. However during this time, the virus is building up its attack force, ready to cause massive damage to your dog's body.
12. Ironically, administering a Canine Parvovirus vaccine, especially the very first shot, can actually increase the chance of your puppy contracting this virus. This is because the maternal antibodies in the puppy's body can kill off the modified live virus contained in the vaccine, but as shots work in part by lowering the body's natural immune system, this actually opens up the puppy to infection by the full, live virus (not to mention other infections too).
13. Some breeds of dogs, notably Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, appear to be at a lower risk of contracting Parvo, although this does not mean that they will not be infected.

» left by Ronyae

3 years 35 days ago.
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Mark,

 

I've lost at least 3 pet dogs to this virus. So, I appreciate you sharing this information with us.

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