13 Astonishing Factoids About Canine Parvo Virus
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80% of dogs that are infected by Canine Parvovirus that are not treated die in four to five days – with the older 2a and 2b strains of the virus.
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With the most recent 2c strain, even fully-vaccinated adult dogs, as well as puppies, are being infected by and dying from the Parvo virus.
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Some breeds, such as Black & Tan Coonhounds, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are more prone to the Parvo virus for reasons nobody yet understands.
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Although the Parvo virus is particularly prevalent in the southern states, with California, Texas, Arizona and Florida being the four worst hit, every state in the US, including Hawaii and even Alaska, are suffering outbreaks.
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Parvo is incredibly hardy and can live in the ground for up to twenty years, with an ability to survive extremes of temperature, including frost and hot weather.
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If you take your dogs to the vet’s for treatment, it could cost you anywhere from $500 to over $6,000 per dog.
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Most vets can only offer your dog a 50% – 80% chance of survival, in spite of their expensive treatments.
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Although Parvo has historically been transmitted through contact with infected feces and vomit, it is now believed that the latest 2c strain may be airborne.
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It is ironic that cats can now be infected by the latest 2c strain of Parvovirus, given that it has always been suspected that Canine Parvovirus originally evolved from a similar feline virus, cat typhoid (aka feline distemper).
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Dogs that are infected by the latest 2c strain of Canine Parvo can die within one day of symptoms first appearing, with some dogs dying in only six hours.
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The Canine Parvo virus can incubate for anywhere from three days to 15 days, although five to seven days is the average. This means that your dog could be sick for up to two weeks and you would not even know it, as there would be no visible symptoms. However during this time, the virus is growing in strength, ready to wreak havoc on your dog’s body.
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Ironically, administering a Canine Parvo virus vaccine, especially the very first shot, can actually increase the chance of your puppy contracting this virus. This is because the maternal antibodies in the puppy’s body can kill off the modified live virus contained in the vaccine, but as shots work in part by lowering the body’s natural immune system, this actually opens up the puppy to infection by the full, live virus (not to mention other infections too).
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A few breeds of dogs, especially Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, appear to be at a lower risk of contracting Canine Parvo, although this does not mean that they will not be infected.
If you’re looking for products you can use to treat Parvo, or for Parvo prevention, then you should check out these Parvo Treatment Value Packs, which contain Parvaid, Vibactra Plus, Life Cell Immune Support and, in the Gold Value Pack, Doggie Pain Relief.
