Known as Parvo. Especially common in young or immunocompromised animals, often rampant in spring or summer months. Generally this disease attacks the intestinal lining and tracts, although in puppies, elderly, or immunocompromised animals and may affect the heart muscle of puppies. Although treatable, Parvo is often deadly.
Physical Symptoms
Depression, lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.
Cause/Transmission
Viruses transmitted from one infected animal to another, exposure to infected body fluids or feces.
Treatment
Consult your veterinarian. Generally this disease is treated very aggressively. Isolation or quarantine of affected animals may be recommended and some hospitals may set up “Parvo wards” in springtime when the disease is rampant. Fluid therapy is generally used to allay effects of dehydration in addition to drugs prescribed by veterinarians. Sometimes Parvo victims cannot be treated at home; animals are often kept at the veterinary hospital with IV treatment until it appears they are no longer in danger of death.
