Isn’t not spectacular

The best companion of man has sundry

of threats, some of which can be
prevented
Canine Parvovirus
(Parvo)
Canine Enteritis Virus
Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad Khan
RCVetS
Introduction
• Canine Parvo is an acute, often life-
threatening viral disease of dogs,
affecting mainly intestinal tract, bone
marrow, and lymphatic tissues.
• Clinically, it is characterized by fever,
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
(blood-filled), dehydration, shock and
death.
parvovirusareDNAvirusbelongtofamily Parvoviridae andsubfamilyParvovriinae.
Thereare4strainsofparvovirusC : PV-2(theoriginasltrain)anditsnewerstrainsCPV-2aC, PV-2bandCPV-2c.
Parvovirusareresistantoheatc,olda,ndmostdisinfectants(moreresistanthanCDvirus).
Itcanremaininfectiveforover6monthstoyears,undersuitableenvironmentalconditions.
Theviruscansurviveonhandsorclothesevenafterwashingwithsoap.
Introduction
• Parvovirus can affect cats, with clinical disease
much similar to dogs.
• Feline panleukopenia or Feline parvo are
misnamed as Feline distemper (not a distemper
virus).
• The Feline parvovirus is not caused by the same
strain of virus that affect dogs, but some strains
of canine parvo (CPV-2a and CPV-2b) can infect
cats.
Susceptibility

• The disease is generally seen in animals;

• Very young,
• Unvaccinated,
• Improperly or not fully-vaccinated,
• Under 6 months of age,
• Fail to mount a protective immune response.
• Having low maternal immunity,
• Undernourished and those harboring other
intestinal diseases (worms, bacteria, viruses).
Can older dogs get Parvo (No – Yes)
Susceptibility
• Any new strain of Parvovirus, different from used in
vaccine, may cause the disease in vaccinated dogs.
• Ingestion of massive dose of virus (eating infected dog’s
feces or vomitus) may break the immunity.
• Some dog breeds (Doberman, Rottweiler, German-
shepherd, Labrador, Bull-terrier) are more prone to
canine parvo.
• Dogs with immune suppressive disorder can get the
disease at any age.
• Normally, older and full vaccinated dogs rarely get Parvo.
Transmission
• Pups or susceptible dogs can contract the
disease directly/indirectly by contact with
feces or vomitus of sick or carrier animals
or from the contaminated environment.
• Veterinary clinics can also be the source of
Parvo for visiting unvaccinated pups.
• Owners can also bring the virus home after
visiting infected animals or premises.
Healthy dogs should not be allowed to eat shit or vomitus of other dogs because of
danger of parvo virus infection
Pathogenesis
• The Parvovirus is a single stranded DNA virus.
• The parvovirus replicate in rapidly-dividing cells,
of intestinal crypts, bone marrow and lymphatic
tissues (thymus, lymph nodes). It can also infect
fetus, heart, brain, joints or skin cells.
• The virus enter the cells and makes 100s of its
DNA copies, along with its capsids and proteins
forming new viruses.
• The infected cell death/necrosis is the basis of
the development of clinical signs.
Pathogenesis -Intestine
• The intestinal lining is raised into
millions of small finger like
projections, called Villi, that absorb
fluid and nutrients.
• The villi cells originating from Crypts
at the base, migrate outwards after
maturation. Thus the youngest cells
are closest to the crypts and oldest
cells at the tip of villi.
Pathogenesis -Intestine
• Parvovirus, replicates in rapidly dividing cells of
crypts.
• During viral replication, these cells are destroyed,
fall off, leaving ulceration and bleeding, which
can be seen in the feces and vomitus.
• Ulcers expose the internal tissues (connective
tissues and blood vessels) to the chemicals,
digestive enzymes and bacteria in the intestine,
which may lead to Septicemia and shock.
Pathogenesis -signs
• The swelling of intestine can also cause its
paralysis (Paralytic ileus – a non moving gut) or
Intussusception.
• Paralytic Ileus causes inability to keep passing
food or fluids downward, a cause of vomiting.
• The inflammation and bleeding ulcers may result
in enormous loss of blood, water and body-
proteins into the intestines, which can lead to
severe anemia, dehydration, hypoproteinemia,
shock, and death.
Hemorrhagic enteritis
Hemorrhagic enteritis
Septicemia and suppurative processes

• Bacteremia and septicemia can develop with

paralytic ileus and ulceration of intestinal wall.
• Extensive septicemia may cause septic shock.
• Due to septicemia other organs (joints, eyes,
heart and kidneys) can also get infected.
• Sudden cardiac arrest and Septic arthritis are
well known complications of Parvo infection in
pups.
Cardiac enlargement can be seen in Parvo
Pathogenesis -Bone marrow and
lymphatic-tissues
• The rapidly-dividing cells of bone marrow and
lymphatic tissues (lymph nodes, thymus) are also
the main target sites for Parvovirus.
• Damage to bone marrow cells will cause decrease
in circulating WBCs, called Panleukopenia (where
Feline panleukopenia gets its name).
• As a consequence - overwhelming bacterial
infection can occur.
(So, sick animals are genuinely in need
of continuous IV antibiotics)
Mild Parvo infection
• Some animals show mild GI tract signs or
no signs at all with Parvo infection.
• These animals survive and clear the virus
from intestines or may become carriers.
• This mild parvo infection might be due to;
Mild type of Parvo strain,
Low dose of virus ingested or
The animal may have some degree of
immunity at time of infection.
Diagnosis of Parvo
• Parvo can be diagnosed by typical clinical
signs, Elisa, Hemagglutination,
Biochemistry and by Electron microscopy.
• Generally, the Parvo is diagnosed by ELISA
based test kits (commercially available).
• In this test, a swab of feces is taken from
the dog's rectum and run through the test
kit to detect the presence of virus
antigens.
Parvovirus test kit
Virus infect cells of the Villi
False positive test
• False positive result can occur when
the test animals are vaccinated with a
live Parvovirus vaccine, just 4-14 days
beforehand.
• In this case the vaccine virus
replicating in the intestine can give
positive at stool test by ELIZA, but
don’t cause the disease.
False negative test
• It takes about 4 days for virus to replicate and
shed in the feces to be detected in test kits. So
the test may be negative in early disease
process.
• Occasionally, high antibody titer, develop in late
stage of disease, may be able to kill the virus, in
the feces, or
• These antibodies bind to viral antigens in the
feces and 'block' test-kit antibodies interaction.
Differential diagnosis
• Canine distemper
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Pancreatitis, gastritis, gastro-
enteritis
• Other diseases affecting the GI
tract
Parvo Treatment Options
• Symptomatic Treatment;
1st. Intravenous Crystalloid fluids:
If animals develop severe vomiting and
diarrhea, s/he is urgently need of
intravenous fluids. The choice of fluid
should be Crystalloid fluid containing all
electrolytes and glucose.
Parvo Treatment Options
Intravenous Colloidal fluids:
The dogs losing excessive amounts of protein
into their intestine - require plasma or plasma
extender (to maintain colloid-oncotic pressure).
For this purpose, fresh blood plasma, or plasma
extenders (synthetic colloidal fluids, e.g. 6%
Dextran, Gelatin or Hexastarch), should be used.
Pups with shock and low blood pressure
are specially need of these fluids.
Pallor of mucosa and increase CRT are
indications of much loss of blood (anemia)
Parvo Treatment Options
• Intravenous Whole Blood transfusion:
It is recommended when there is severe anemia.
For this purpose, blood if taken from vaccinated
donor, will provide blood cells, albumin, fluid
volume as well as antibodies (which the animal
is in real need).
 Plasma may be superior over whole blood
transfusion in cases of DIC - a Parvo
complication.
Parvo Treatment Options
• 2nd. Treatment of Complications
Parvo infected animals may require IV broad
spectrum bactericidal antibiotics.
The antibiotics of choice are Cephalosporins,
Ticarcillin (Timentin), Fluoroquinolones
(Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin), & Metronidazole.
 Some of these antibiotics are considered
contraindicated in pups under 12 months old
because of harmful effects on growing
cartilage.
Parvo Treatment Options
• Choice of Antibiotics
Aminoglycosides – (Gentamicin,
Kanamycin, Ampicillin).
These are toxic to the kidneys and
so, should not be used in
dehydrated animals.
Parvo Treatment Options
• 3rd. Anti-emetics (to stop vomiting):
These are used to make pups feel better,
reduce the loss of fluids through repeated
vomiting.
 They are best given as continuous rate
infusions (in a constantly-running drip)
rather than frequent injections.
Parvo Treatment Options
• 4th. Pain relief
Abdominal pain is one of the many Parvovirus
symptoms. Pain relief must be given to make
pups feel comfortable. Choice is with you, but
Methadone and Fentanyl are considered better.
 NSAIDs (Carprofen, Meloxicam, Tolfedine)
and Corticosteroids (Prednisolone,
Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone) are
contraindicated in animals with severe
ulcerative intestinal disease.
Parvo Treatment Options
• Pain relief
The intestine of the pups is not moving,
the stomach can be filled with large
amounts of fluid. This can cause bloating
and abdominal distension.
Simply, passing a stomach tube (via the
mouth) can help in release the fluid and
provide comfort to the animals.
Parvo Treatment Options
• 5th. Ulcer medications
Injectable medicaments to reduce gastric acid
production in the stomach are also useful, e.g. IV
Omeprazole (costly) or H2-blockers (Ranitidine
and Cimetidine).
Oral antacids and ulcer-coating drugs can also
be given to animals that can tolerate oral
medications (Carafate, Aluminum hydroxide,
Bicarbonates, etc.).
Continuous monitoring is key to success of
treatment
Monitoring
• Severely septic parvo-affected pup requires an
extremely high level of intensive care, it includes;
 Regular examinations of temperature, pulse and
respiration; heart and lungs; and blood pressure.
 Regular care of IV lines and catheters.
 Urine monitoring.
 Regularity in treatments (prescribed) and
adjustments.
 Regular blood testing, for PCV, Electrolytes,
Glucose, Proteins, RBCs, WBCs, etc.
Prognosis
• Complications such as severe Leukopenia,
heart disease and undernourished,
underweight and immuno-compromised
status of health, indicate poor prognosis.
• In addition, Myocarditis, DIC, severe
sepsis, Septic shock and Multiple Organ
Failure Syndrome, can reduce the chances
of survival of young pups.
Prevention of parvo
• Prevention of parvo involves several
principles (very much similar to Canine
distemper).
Immunization and enhancing immunity
Avoiding contact with virus
Enhancing health status
Vaccinating against parvo virus
• Parvo is one of the five core vaccine viruses used
in almost all pup vaccines.
• Vaccination against parvo begins at 6-8 weeks of
age, however one may start it earlier if the pup is
in a very high-risk parvo area.
• After 1st exposure, at 6-8 week, the pups require
follow-up (boosters).
• The protocol may vary with the brand of vaccine
used or manufacturer’s instructions.
Conventional vaccine
Vaccinating against parvo virus
• The recent, Potentiated vaccines that stimulate a greater
immune response.
Vaccines include Fort Dodge's Protech
Duramune vaccines:
 The guidelines for these vaccines typically advise a 6
week, 9 week and a 12 week vaccine. Or at 9 week
and 12 week only.
Intervet's Nobivac DHP and Fort Dodge's
Duramune Adult C3:
 The guidelines for these vaccines, advocate a 6 week,
8 week and 10 week vaccine. Or 8 and 12 weeks.
Enhancing the health, body condition and
immunity of the animal

Pups should be dewormed routinely.

Pups should be fed a balanced diet.
Pups should not be walked out until fully vaccinated.
A 15-30 minute walk, at least 3 times a week (once
vaccinated) is good for physical and mental health.
In-breeding should also be avoided, as excessive
inbreeding may result in genetic immune disorders.
Saving young ones are
important