Canine Parvovirus Infection: Symptoms & Prevention

Canine Parvovirus infection is a highly contagious and severe disease in dogs caused by the Canine Parvovirus. The clinical presentation varies, but the disease primarily manifests as either enteritis or myocarditis. In some cases, enteritis may be accompanied by myocarditis changes.

Enteritis Type: The natural infection incubation period is typically 7 to 14 days. In the first 1 to 2 days, affected dogs may show signs of depression, loss of appetite, fever, and vomiting, with clear, bilelike, or bloodstreaked vomit. Subsequently, severe diarrhea begins, with feces initially appearing gray or yellow, then turning to a dark brown or tomato juicelike consistency, accompanied by a distinctive foul odor. Within 24 to 48 hours after gastrointestinal symptoms appear, dogs may exhibit dehydration and weight loss, followed by chills, peripheral circulation disturbances, and a highly depressed state of shock. Blood tests may show an increase in red blood cell count and a decrease in white blood cells. Dogs often die in a coma within 3 to 4 days.

Myocarditis Type: This type is more common in puppies aged 28 to 42 days, often without any warning signs or only with mild diarrhea. Puppies may suddenly become weak, showing signs like whining, dry coughing, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, difficulty breathing, a rapid and weak pulse, heart murmurs upon auscultation, and pathological changes on an electrocardiogram, leading to death within a short period.

Treatment Plan: The treatment approach focuses on antiviral therapy, preventing secondary infections, symptomatic treatment, and supportive care.

Antiviral Therapy:

[Prescription 1] Monoclonal antibody against Canine Parvovirus, 0.5 to 1 milliliter per kilogram, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, once daily for 3 days; for severe cases, the dose can be doubled.

[Prescription 2] Virazole, 5 to 7 milligrams per kilogram, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, once daily.

[Prescription 3] Interferon, 100,000 to 200,000 units per dose, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, every other day.

Preventing Secondary Infections and Antibiotics:

[Prescription 4] Ampicillin, 20 to 30 milligrams per kilogram, administered orally, twice to three times daily; or 10 to 20 milligrams per kilogram, administered intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly, twice to three times daily.

[Prescription 5] Cefazolin sodium, 15 to 30 milligrams per kilogram, administered intravenously or intramuscularly, three to four times daily.

[Prescription 6] Suprax (Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium Suspension), 0.1 milliliter per kilogram, administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously, once daily.

[Prescription 7] Enrofloxacin, 2.5 to 5 milligrams per kilogram, administered orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously, twice daily.

Fluid Replacement and Boosting Immune Response:

[Prescription 8] Lactated Ringer's solution with 5% glucose, ATP, coenzyme A, and vitamin C to replenish body fluids.

Antiemetic Therapy:

[Prescription 9] Metoclopramide, 0.2 to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, administered orally or subcutaneously, three to four times daily, or 0.01 to 0.08 milligrams per kilogram per hour, administered intravenously.

[Prescription 10] Aemmor, 2 milliliters per dose, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, twice daily.

[Prescription 11] Omeprazole, 0.5 to 1.5 milligrams per kilogram, administered intravenously, subcutaneously, or orally, once daily, for up to eight weeks.

Hormonal Antiinflammatory Therapy:

[Prescription 12] Dexamethasone, 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, administered orally or intramuscularly, once to twice daily.

Haemostasis for Hemorrhagic Diarrhea:

[Prescription 13] Tranexamic acid, 2 to 4 milliliters per dose, administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

[Prescription 14] Vitamin K, 10 to 30 milligrams per dose, administered intramuscularly.

Treatment for Diarrhea:

[Prescription 15] Smecta, 250 to 500 milligrams per kilogram, administered orally.

[Prescription 16] Vidicon, 0.02 to 0.08 grams per kilogram, administered orally, twice daily for 2 to 4 days.