What is a virus?
A virus is a sub-microscopic particle that ranges from 20 to 300 nanometres in size. It can infect the cells of a biological organism, such as a human or a dog, and cause anything from mild discomfort to serious, lethal disease. Viruses need to infect a host cell in order to multiply and can therefore not replicate without a suitable host.
Viruses causing dog disease A lot of well known dog diseases are caused by viruses, such as canine distemper, canine parvovirus disease, canine coronavirus disease, canine influenza, canine herpesvirus, canine minute virus, infectious canine hepatitis, kennel cough (can also be caused by bacteria), rabies, and pseudorabies. As you can see; virus diseases in dogs stretches from milder cases of kennel cough to diseases with an exceptionally high death rate like
rabies and canine distemper.
Virus and antibiotics Many different dog diseases are caused by viruses, and unfortunately antibiotics will not help if your dog gets infected with a virus. Some people – including dog owners – have a strong tendency to retort to antibiotics as soon as they feel ill, and irresponsible doctors and veterinarians sometimes let them have their way. If your dog comes down with a virus, demanding antibiotics is a bad idea for several reasons:
Antibiotics will not cure dog diseases caused by viruses.
Antibiotics can cause side-effects. Now your dog has to combat a viral infection and antibiotics side effects simultaneously.
Over-use of antibiotics increases the risk of antibiotic resistance development in bacteria. The more antibiotics we use, the greater the risk of cultivating bacteria that will be immune or highly resilient to antibiotics. There are however situations where the initial viral infection opens up the way for bacteria. A common Kennel cough (similar to a human cold) can for instance lead to pneumonia in dogs, just like a cold can develop into pneumonia in humans. If this happens, antibiotics should naturally be administered since the secondary infection is caused by bacteria and not by a virus.
Virus vaccination for dogs
The best way of keeping your dog healthy is to vaccinate it against common viruses. A vaccine will produce immunity and make it
possible for the immune system of your dog to successfully combat the virus from day one. The exact length of the immunity period varies; contact your veterinarian for more specific information. In many countries, vaccination of dogs is mandatory for serious diseases, such as rabies and canine distemper.
Anti-virus treatment for dogs
As mentioned above, giving your dog antibiotics will not help it if it has been infected with a virus. There are a few antiviral drugs available for dogs, but they are not a quick-fix for any type of virus. For some viruses an antiviral drug will work like a charm, but for many others there is still no cure. In many cases, the veterinarian will instead focus on helping your dog's immune system combat the virus. The veterinarian can for instance give your dog IV fluids to prevent dehydration, give it extra blood plasma from a donor, and
keep the fever down if it starts to rise to dangerous levels. The vet can also make your dog feel better by giving it painkillers, cough medicine and so on, depending on the symptoms.
A virus is a sub-microscopic particle that ranges from 20 to 300 nanometres in size. It can infect the cells of a biological organism, such as a human or a dog, and cause anything from mild discomfort to serious, lethal disease. Viruses need to infect a host cell in order to multiply and can therefore not replicate without a suitable host.
Viruses causing dog disease A lot of well known dog diseases are caused by viruses, such as canine distemper, canine parvovirus disease, canine coronavirus disease, canine influenza, canine herpesvirus, canine minute virus, infectious canine hepatitis, kennel cough (can also be caused by bacteria), rabies, and pseudorabies. As you can see; virus diseases in dogs stretches from milder cases of kennel cough to diseases with an exceptionally high death rate like
rabies and canine distemper.
Virus and antibiotics Many different dog diseases are caused by viruses, and unfortunately antibiotics will not help if your dog gets infected with a virus. Some people – including dog owners – have a strong tendency to retort to antibiotics as soon as they feel ill, and irresponsible doctors and veterinarians sometimes let them have their way. If your dog comes down with a virus, demanding antibiotics is a bad idea for several reasons:
Antibiotics will not cure dog diseases caused by viruses.
Antibiotics can cause side-effects. Now your dog has to combat a viral infection and antibiotics side effects simultaneously.
Over-use of antibiotics increases the risk of antibiotic resistance development in bacteria. The more antibiotics we use, the greater the risk of cultivating bacteria that will be immune or highly resilient to antibiotics. There are however situations where the initial viral infection opens up the way for bacteria. A common Kennel cough (similar to a human cold) can for instance lead to pneumonia in dogs, just like a cold can develop into pneumonia in humans. If this happens, antibiotics should naturally be administered since the secondary infection is caused by bacteria and not by a virus.
Virus vaccination for dogs
The best way of keeping your dog healthy is to vaccinate it against common viruses. A vaccine will produce immunity and make it
possible for the immune system of your dog to successfully combat the virus from day one. The exact length of the immunity period varies; contact your veterinarian for more specific information. In many countries, vaccination of dogs is mandatory for serious diseases, such as rabies and canine distemper.
Anti-virus treatment for dogs
As mentioned above, giving your dog antibiotics will not help it if it has been infected with a virus. There are a few antiviral drugs available for dogs, but they are not a quick-fix for any type of virus. For some viruses an antiviral drug will work like a charm, but for many others there is still no cure. In many cases, the veterinarian will instead focus on helping your dog's immune system combat the virus. The veterinarian can for instance give your dog IV fluids to prevent dehydration, give it extra blood plasma from a donor, and
keep the fever down if it starts to rise to dangerous levels. The vet can also make your dog feel better by giving it painkillers, cough medicine and so on, depending on the symptoms.
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Parvovirus
The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus manifests itself in two different forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, and lack of appetite (anorexia). The less common form is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death. The majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between six weeks and six months old. The incidence of canine parvovirus infections has been reduced radically by early vaccination in young puppies. |
Symptoms and Types
The major symptoms associated with the intestinal form of a canine parvovirus infection include severe, bloody diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting, and severe weight loss. The intestinal form of CPV affects the body's ability to absorb nutrients, and an affected animal will quickly become dehydrated and weak from lack of protein and fluid absorption. The wet tissue of the mouth and eyes may become noticeably red and the heart may beat too rapidly. When your veterinarian palpates (examine by touch) your dog’s abdominal area, your dog may respond with pain or discomfort. Dogs that have contracted CPV may also have a low body temperature (hypothermia), rather than a fever.
Causes
Most cases of CPV infections are caused by a genetic alteration of the
original canine parvovirus: the canine parvovirus type 2b. There are a variety of risk factors that can increase a dog’s susceptibility to the disease, but mainly, the virus is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route. Heavy concentrations of the virus are found in an infected dog’s stool, so when a healthy dog sniffs an infected dog’s stool, it will contract the disease. The virus can also be brought into a dog's environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected feces.
There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year. It is resistant to most cleaning products, or even to weather changes. If you suspect that you have come into contact with feces at all, you will need to wash the affected area with household bleach, the only disinfectant known to kill the virus.
Improper vaccination protocol and vaccination failure can also lead to a CPV infection. Breeding kennels and dog shelters that hold a large number of inadequately vaccinated puppies are particularly hazardous places. For unknown reasons, certain dog breeds, such as Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels, and Alaskan sled dogs, are particularly vulnerable to the disease. Diseases or drug therapies that suppress the normal response of the immune system may also increase the likelihood of infection.
Diagnosis
CPV is diagnosed with a physical examination, biochemical tests, urine analysis, abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasounds. A chemical blood profile and a complete blood cell count will also be performed. Low white blood cell levels are indicative of CPV infection, especially in association with bloody stools. Biochemical and urine analysis may reveal elevated liver enzymes, lymphopenia, and electrolyte imbalances. Abdominal radiograph imaging may show intestinal obstruction, while an abdominal ultrasound may reveal enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, or throughout the body, and fluid-filled intestinal segments.
You will need to give a thorough history of your pet's health, recent
activities, and onset of symptoms. If you can gather a sample of your dog's stool, or vomit, your veterinarian will be able to use these samples for microscopic detection of the virus.