Clinical Signs of Parvo Virus Infection
s p o n s o r e d l i n k s
Canine parvo virus causes lethargy; loss of appetite; fever; vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and most deaths from parvo virus occur within 48 to 72 hours following onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian promptly.
Vaccination is important. Young puppies are very susceptible to infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers’ milk may wear off before the puppies’ own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine parvo virus during this gap in protection, it may become ill. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother’s milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally succumb to parvo virus. To narrow gaps in protection and provide optimal protection against parvo virus during the first few months of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered.
source: avma brochure, image: cvmbs.colostate.edu