PHOTO 1: Two types of parvoviruses may infect dogs: canine parvovirus type 1 (CPV-1) and type 2 (CPV-2). CPV-1 is relatively non-pathogenic but may infect young puppies (>3 weeks old) causing gastroenteritis, pneumonitis and carditis. CPV-2 is associated with classical parvoviral enteritis. Dogs get infected with this virus via the faecal-oral route. The virus then invades and destroys rapidly dividing cells such as bone marrow progenitors and intestinal crypt epithelium. The severity of the disease can range from very serious to mild or even subclinical. Clinical features of canine parvoviral enteritis include inappetence, diarrhoea, vomiting and intestinal bleeding. Severe disease may result in sepsis, endotoxemia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The best diagnostic test for canine poarvoviral enteritis is an ELISA to identify large quantities of viral particles in faeces. Fluid and electrolyte therapy is crucial treatment and may be combined with antibiotics. Colloid therapy may be necessary for hypoalbuminic patients. PHOTO 2-3: Feeding small amounts of liquid diet via a naso-oesaphageal tube once vomiting has ceased may support intestinal healing. PHOTO 4: Critical care and hospitalization improves the chances of recovery and survival of puppies infected with parvovirus. It is however important to keep these patients separate from other patients in the ICU to prevent cross-infection.
REFERENCES: PHOTOS 1-4: 1. Nelson, RW & Couto, CG, (eds) 2009, ‘Small animal internal medicine’ 4th ed., Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis, pp. 443-445. 2. Tilley, LP & Smith, FWK 2004, ‘The 5-minute veterinary consult : canine and feline’ 3rd ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD, pp.184-185.
