Pet Care: CANINE PARO VIRUS ALERT! (continued)

Today we continue the discussion of this serious canine disease which, as mentioned last week, seems to be currently infecting animals and leaving a swathe of deaths in its wake, especially among unvaccinated pups and young adult dogs.
The general view, based on the experience and observations of veterinarians, is that once the disease is diagnosed early, and an aggressive treatment schedule is implemented and maintained, the chance of survival increases.
A positive empirical finding is that the current incidence of the disease in puppies and young adult dogs appears to be lower this year. This may well be attributed to the greater awareness of the disease by caregivers, and administration of polyvalent vaccines (including CPV). We must nevertheless maintain our vigilance, so as to ensure that our wards do not contract this CPV disease.

QUESTION: HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION FROM CPV?
ANSWER: Vaccinate as early as 6 weeks of age. There is a vaccination protocol, established from scientific research, which must be followed. Puppies must complete the primary course of vaccination at 9,12, (16) weeks of age, according to the recommendations of the vaccine manufacturer.
Thereafter, booster shots must be given annually.

QUESTION: ARE SOME BREEDS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CPV?
ANSWER: YES. It seems that German Shepherds, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Labradors exhibit the greatest incidence of CPV. This information is available in the literature. Here, in Guyana, CPV indiscriminately infects and kills all breeds, including our “common breeds”.

QUESTION: IS THERE A LABORATORY TEST THAT CAN BE USED TO DETECT THIS VIRUS?
ANSWER: Yes. Your vet can, and will, advise you accordingly.

QUESTION: CAN A VACCINATED PUP/DOG ACQUIRE CPV?
ANSWER: This is highly unlikely, if the vaccine has been transported and stored under the recommended conditions. It also helps immensely if the mother dog has been vaccinated before (never during) pregnancy.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THE PET’S SURVIVAL?
ANSWER: Reports coming out of the USA and Europe speak of relatively high mortality rates. My own experience is that even with early CPV diagnosis (within 2-3 days post infection), many animals, especially fragile neonates (young pups), will die.

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR A DOG WHICH HAS SURVIVED CPV?
ANSWER: Once a CPV patient has recovered from the disease, it is not likely that the dog would contract the ailment again, or succumb to it.
It is, however, important to note that dogs, having recovered from CPV, may serve as carriers, and can even shed the virus, infecting the surrounding environment, thereby possibly infecting young unvaccinated animals living in the vicinity.

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BEST SANITISER AGAINST CPV?
ANSWER: I always advise that any kennel and surrounding area which was exposed to the CPV infection should be thoroughly cleansed with bleach (1 part bleach to 30 parts water).
This is my final installment on CPV. Please be vigilant, and if any of your pets are exhibiting symptoms of CPV (inter alia soft, watery and/or bloody stool, dehydration, shock, vomiting, inappetence, listlessness, elevated temperature) as described last week, please urgently seek veterinary care.
Please continue to support the generous and well-established humane societies, whose objective is to minimise suffering of animals.