What you should know about parvovirus in your Jack Russell dogs? Canine parvovirus or commonly called CPV is a highly infectious disease affecting our four-legged friends. Every mammal has its own specific parvovirus. Canine parvovirus affects dogs and can not affect cats or other animals.

In the late 1970s, Canine Parvovirus was discovered but was only recognized in 1978. Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers and Pit bull terriers are at higher risk but that doesn’t exempt Jack Russell dogs from developing this disease.

This disease is transferred from dog to dog through physical contact. The virus is passed on usually through feces and when ingested, it attacks your pet’s gastrointestinal tract. This disease can as well damage the heart muscle of very young and even unborn puppies.

This disease exhibits symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea, visible within three to ten days. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea result to dehydration so it is important to treat these two immediately. Infected dogs are also prone to intussusception, a condition wherein a part of the intestine has prolapsed to another section of the intestine,

Presence of this disease should be discovered and treated immediately. When not treated immediately, victims of this disease may need extensive hospitalization especially when dehydration sets in. CPV can be diagnosed through CPV test in the feces using either hemagglutination or electron microscopy. Your veterinarian will then diagnose the disease based on clinical appearances and these laboratory tests.

Veterinarians can not prescribe what drug can exactly kill the virus in infected dogs because until now, there is still no known drug for this disease. The treatment usually starts in treating dehydration. Electrolytes and fluid losses should be replaced immediately. Vomiting and diarrhea should be controlled.

Young pups are immune to diseases because of their mom’s milk. This immunity wears off in due time and if that happens, CPV can get in. Without vaccination they are just exposing more of themselves to this infectious disease.

Along with vaccines and medications, hygiene and proper cleaning are also ideal tools to combat canine parvovirus. Kennels and areas where infected dogs are kept should be properly cleaned and disinfected. To ensure total cessation of the spread of this disease, infected dogs must be separated from other dogs.

Caution plays an important role in our lives, even among dogs. Your checklist in maintaining your dog’s health includes vaccinations, nutritious foods, regular grooming and cleaning and most also, caution when taking your Jack Russell dogs outside whether to play in the park, attend obedience classes or dog shows.