Pet Insurance – A Good Idea!
By Michael Challiner
Ever thought about taking out insurance to guard against pet theft? It is probably something you think most people have never needed to worried about. But that is quickly starting to Read more...
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Dog Training Collar – Making Your Dog More Manegeable
By Melissa Wayan
Dog training collars always looked so mean to me especially the choker collars. I had one for my dog when I was little. My dad used it to train my dog. Apparently, as the breeder and trainer said, Read more...
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How To Care For Your Puppy
By Gary Johnson
A Puppy StoryMy grandmother had the sweetest little white dog when I was growing up. He was half-poodle, half-maltese, and I loved him dearly. But no matter how much I cared for that dog, he was Read more...
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Canine Parvovirus (cpv)
By Paul Skellenger
In dogs, Parvovirus should be suspected whenever puppies are presented with lethargy, vomiting, &/or loose stools especially if there is blood in the stool (a hemorrhagic enteritis). Puppies 6 to 16 weeks of age are the most susceptible. This is due to the fact that puppies younger than this are usually protected by maternal antibodies they received in the mother’s milk (colostrum). Older dogs have acquired immunity from vaccination or previous exposure and may not show significant clinical illness if they do become infected. Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and English Springer Spaniels seem to be at greater risk for severe disease, but we see this devastating disease an all species of dogs.
CPV infects rapidly dividing cells of the intestine, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissues. The rapidly dividing cells of the intestine reside in valleys of the intestinal mucosal lining known as crypts. These cells then migrate to cover the hills of the mucosa known as villi. The virus is capable of severe enough damage to result in necrosis (cell death) of the intestinal crypt cells and this leaves no cells to cover the villi. The villi essentially are ulcerated, collapse, and digestive function is lost. Tremendous amounts of blood components and fluids are lost across this ulcerated mucosa and toxins and bacteria may be free to pass from the intestinal lumen to the bloodstream.
Rapidly dividing cells are also found in the bone marrow and the virus attacks these resulting in a drop in the dog’s white blood cell count. Both lymphocytes and neutrophils are affected (these are types of white blood cells). Neutrophils are the predominant white blood cell found in circulation and function as part of the rapid first line of defense against infection. CPV infection causes low neutrophil counts by cell injury in the bone marrow and due to depletion of circulating cells responding to the tremendous amount of damage to the intestinal wall. The lower the white blood cell count, the worse the illness and counts less than 3000 mean the is not able to defend against bacteria found in the digestive tract and the environment.
Dogs become infected by coming in contact with stool or contaminated soil. Once the virus enters the dog’s body, it first localizes in lymphoid tissues (day 2), then in the bloodstream (days 3-4), and then is found in intestinal crypts and the bone marrow (days 4-7) resulting in the onset of GI symptoms 5 days after infection. Symptoms include lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting (with or without diarrhea), bloody watery diarrhea, and blood in the vomitus. Due to the massive fluid losses across the intestine and the lack of intake, dogs rapidly become severely dehydrated, rapidly loose weight, and experience abdominal discomfort.
The severity of the illness is worse with stress; overcrowding; poor hygiene; other concurrent bacterial, viral or parasitic infections; and when secondary bacterial infections occur.
Puppies will die either from inadequate or late treatment, severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypothermia, and septic shock or overwhelming secondary bacterial infection due to low numbers of protective white blood cells. Hypoalbuminemia results from the loss of albumin from the bloodstream into the intestine and results in the inability to hold fluid within the blood vessels.
Diagnosis is by clinical signs, presentation (puppies 6-16 wks of age), white blood cell counts, and we use an in house ELISA test to identify virus in the stool. Virus can be detected in the stool only during the first few days of clinical illness. Virus is shed in the stool for no more than 2 weeks following infection.
Rehydration is the first cornerstone of treatment. We recommend the administration of intravenous electrolyte solutions (lactated ringers or plasmalyte) in large volumes with a continuous 24 hour IV drip. Healing and defense require that we promote a proper blood flow to all tissues. The rate of fluid replacement is tailored to the amount of fluid losses from vomiting and diarrhea. Dextrose may be added to the fluids both to provide energy to a body that cannot get it otherwise, but also to encourage increased vascular volume. After fluids have been initiated, potassium chloride is frequently added to the fluids to make up for total body potassium depletion. Antibiotics are routinely administered by injection to help defend against secondary bacterial infections, but in some cases the white blood cell count is dangerously low and aggressive combination antibiotic therapy is needed (aminoglycosides or fluroquinolones and penicillins, or single late generation cephalosporins such as ceftazidime). In cases where the blood count is falling, the dog’s condition is expected to worsen, but when the blood
Soft Dog Carriers & Soft Dog Crates
By Pam Caouette
Soft dog carriers, and soft dog crates are are great way to transport your small dog. A soft sided dog crate will give your dog a sense of comfort and home. Soft sided dog carriers allow the dog Read more...
Dog Whispering: Origins Of A Phrase And A Philosophy
By Martin Olliver
What Is Dog Whispering? Dog whispering is more than a matter of talking nicely to your dog.It's about understanding your dog by reading and interpreting its body language. In turn, Read more...
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