Parvo in Puppies: Getty Images
Preventing parvo in puppies means early vaccinations. Veterinary procedures like deworming puppies also help to keep your pup healthy.
Parvoviral enteritis (or Parvo) is a viral disease that affects young, unvaccinated puppies between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. It attacks rapidly dividing cells in the intestinal tract and bone marrow, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, impaired immune function and sometimes death.
Parvo in puppies, despite being highly transmittable from one dog to the next (even after the puppy has recovered from the virus), is preventable if the necessary steps are taken.
Prevent Parvo in Puppies
The best way to prevent Parvo in puppies is to take a trip to your vet and get your pup all the necessary vaccinations. Additionally, deworming puppies is also a very good idea.
Puppies should start receiving these vaccinations around 6 weeks of age. After that, you should consult with your veterinarian on what the best course of action is in terms of determining the vaccination regime for your new family member.
Parvo in Puppies: Signs and Symptoms
Parvo in puppies attacks the animals' GI tract. As a result, some of the symptoms you might see from parvo in puppies include:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Loss of Appetite
- High Fever
- Lethargy
If you think that your puppy is experiencing symptoms associated with Parvo, it's imperative that you immediately visit your veterinarian for a consultation.
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Comments (7)
I'm really concerned about this virus. I just got a 2mth old Chihuahua. I got her, her first shots already. I'm gonna do everything I can to prevent her from getting sick. She is my dog and I already grew very attach to her.
Parvo does NOT only affect young, unvaccinated puppies.
Even fully-vaccinated dogs (including both puppies AND adults) can still get Parvo!
In case you were wondering, we've helped treat over 4,100 dogs (and cats) for Parvo, and we hear about vaccinated dogs of all ages still get Parvo all the time.
My German shepherd just passed away yesterday because of parvo. She's 1 year and 8 months. I miss her now badly. ='(
I just got a month old blue pit stafford mix puppy. We took him to a good home and treated him properly to try to get his health on the right track. we found out too late he had porvo. today, 4/6/2011 approximately 8 pm my puppy died in my arms. It was a sudden death and one not peaceful at all. I lost my first puppy to a virus i never heard of till i moved down here. If at any time no matter how minor it looks, your puppy has worms or doesn't eat. Even just a little bit. Take him to a vet!! No puppy should ever suffer what i witnessed in my arms today. I loved my solja. a beautiful boy. May he rest in peace and be in no more pain. heed my words, dont turn a blinds eye to ANY symptom no matter how small. He showed signs three days ago. we took him to the vet on the second day. he died the day after. Porvo took my puppy in only 3 short days. Keep your safe, treat immediately. SOLJA born: febuary 23, 20011 died: april 6, 2011
I love you boy and miss you. Rest in peace
We bought a 6 month old Boston Terrier puppy this past Saturday. He was fine, eating well. On Tuesday, our puppy would not move, eat, go out to pee, or drink anything. He is throwing up clear liquids and pooping the same. No blood... The only thing I can think of is we gave him a rawhide bone, he ate the entire bone. We took him to the vet, he can't find anything wrong with him, except his white blood cell count is really low.