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• Nearly 2,000 pet and stray dogs in Amravati city were affected by canine parvovirus virus last month with veterinarians cautioning pet owners against a severe outbreak.

So, what is Parvovirus?

• It is a highly contagious viral disease that can also be life-threatening in puppies and dogs.
• Parvovirus affects the intestinal tract of canines with puppies being more susceptible.

  

• Bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, drastic weight loss, dehydration and lethargy are some of the symptoms.
• The virus has reported a 90 per cent mortality rate.

How does the virus spread in dogs?

• The highly contagious virus spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object, including the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
• The dogs can get exposed to the parvovirus every time it sniffs, licks, or consume infected faeces.
• Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches the puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like food or water bowl, collars and leashes.

How to keep canines safe from infection?

• Parvovirus has no cure and inoculating a puppy or a dog gives them a fighting chance against the infection.
• The first dose is given at 45 days old and the second 21 days after the first dose. To properly protect canines, it is necessary to administer the vaccine to them while they are puppies and then continue to do the same every year.

Source: IE

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