Canine Parvo Virus

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Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV), most commonly known as Parvo, is a highly contagious viral infection. CPV was first discovered in the 1970’s. In less than 2 years, the virus had spread worldwide. There are two forms of CPV-2 that affect the canine community, there is the cardiac manifestation and the intestinal manifestation. Both forms of CPV-2 can be medically treated, but there is a real threat that the virus can be fatal. The cardiac manifestation of CPV-2 is not the most common manifestation of the virus. The cardiac form of CPV-2 is found mainly in puppies under 8 weeks old. Infection typically occurs in utero. Upon birth the puppies, may be asymptomatic. Most cases of cardiac manifestation result in the animal’s death. Some puppies show respiratory distress prior to death, but in most cases there are few if any signs of illness. In cases where a necropsy is performed, the cardiac manifestation of CPV-2 has caused necrosis of the cardiac tissue. A small percentage of animals are able to survive, but they may have complications later in life due to the growth of fibrous tissue in cardiac muscles. The intestinal manifestation of CPV-2 is passed in a canine’s feces. An animal is infected through ingestion of grass, food, or any object that has come into contact with contaminated feces or ground that has been contaminated by the virus. The intestinal form of CPV-2 is replicated in the lymphatic tissue, it then spreads through the bloodstream and begins attacking the body. The areas of the body most affected by the virus are the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the intestinal tract. The Canine parvovirus type 2 can live in the environment for 6 months. The CPV-2 has an incubation period of five to ten days after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms of infection are vomiting, fever, lethargy, and diarrhea which may contain blood. Bloody diarrhea is a

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