Anyone who deals with a puppy knows how sensitive they can be. First of all, one of the main threats they face is the cause of the disease, Parvovirus. mother dog viral disease and as Neutro experts explain, “this very serious, potentially fatal and particularly alarming in puppies“But it can also attack immunocompromised, unvaccinated adult dogs. We’ve heard experts from Survet, Veterinary Hospital specializing in Barcelona Emergency, Intensive Care and Veterinary References, and owners whose pets have gone through this situation, to learn from experience and to prevent it.
Symptoms of Parvovirus
A year ago, Rubén and his partner gave him a Labrador puppy from a newborn litter. He was only a few weeks old when he got home and just weaned so not vaccinated yet. Bad luck, by the afternoon of his first day in his new home, the dog is already showing signs that something is not right:
“He made some very ugly poops but diarrhea in puppies can be a normal consequence of a change,” Rubén says over the phone. , something happens”, warns our expression.
Although occasionally the disease can occur without being associated with symptoms (especially in adult dogs who are better able to resist), Parvovirus is, as experts explain, It usually presents clinically as bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea., accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition of the animal. And in general, the virus first attacks the lymphatic and intestinal tissue.
However, in addition to diarrhea, The variety of symptoms that can appear include:: vomiting, fever, anorexia and malaise, apathy and/or lethargy, depression, weight loss, abdominal tenderness and, in more severe cases, dehydration.
It was precisely the fear of thirst that prompted Rubén to rush the dog to the vet after realizing this. you had whitish gums instead of pink. Under normal circumstances, healthcare professionals will perform a blood test for diagnosis, but rapid stool antigen testing is also possible. In this case, the prognosis was so serious that they were referred directly to the hospital and after admission the pups were placed in intensive care.
infection
Professionals consulted rated Parvovirus as very contagious. They tell us that their short incubation period (between five and ten days) and by direct oral/nasal contact with an infected dog, through the feces of infected dogs, as well as intrauterine (ie from infected mother to puppies during pregnancy).
Treatment
Unfortunately, we were told There is no treatment that directly combats the virus: While antibiotic therapy is necessary, treatment focuses on alleviating the consequences of the disease and helping the dog’s immune system.
Rubén knows how “fuck” the virus is. There are very few puppies that have survived, and yours was not one of them. However, as he learned from experience, survivors recover very quickly: “Within three or four days you start to see an improvement and they rise from there,” he says. However, his dog had many ups and downs, and when it seemed to start eating and drinking, he fell again.
They stayed like that for a few weeks. with all the suffering it entails for the animal and what it takes to be admitted to a hospital at the monetary level.. Therefore, we testify to those who find themselves in a similar situation, “if after a few days the dog does not improve, be cool, although very difficult. The dog was only due to the medication and vitamin injections, but in reality the disease was not overcome”.
One day, the vets called Rubén and said that they had revived her after she had a new attack and she had to make a decision. asked the hospital to let it go and not resurrect it if it happens again. A few hours later they sedated him to stop his suffering.
prevention
Experts agree Vaccination is the best way to fight infection. from puppies. In fact, Pepa, whose dog also has the disease, tells us that Dobby contracted him just before he was adopted and survived. Despite this, she continues to vaccinate him according to the usual schedule. He was lucky, and all that remained of the illness was psychological because at a crucial moment in his social development he needed to be isolated so as not to infect his siblings.
Parvovirus is so contagious that vets told Rubén and his partner. not to adopt another dog for one year, because “the virus looks very good on surfaces”. Also, in a house where this organism has entered, everything should be thoroughly cleaned with bleach and “first of all throw away everything the dog came into contact with: bedding, drinkers, toys…”, Rubén said, meanwhile, that he adopted another puppy after a reasonable period of time. and today he explains that he is a healthy and happy dog.
Photos | splash
Source: Trendencias
