Lets talk parvovirus aka katgriep.
Parvovirus is a viral infection (not bacterial therefore antibacterial drugs also known as antibiotics CANNOT work).
This virus only affects DOGs. Mostly puppies under 8 months old.
Unvaccinated puppies and puppies younger than 7 weeks are at an increased risk.
This virus is extremely resistant and can survive more than 7 months in the environment. It is difficult to clean and kill the virus in the environment.
Diluted bleach 1:10 with a contact time of 15 minutes can reduce the amount of the virus in the environment.
This is a HIGHLY contagious disease. Puppies appear healthy and start to shed the virus 5 days before starting to feel ill. They continue to shed the virus after starting to feel ill for about 10 days.
Usually, a new puppy that was introduced into the household will start to show signs of vomiting or diarrhoea 2days up to 14 days after arrival.
They eventually stop eating, then bloody diarrhoea starts and then they start to vomit. The puppies then dehydrate to such an extent over several days that they die a very painful death.
Upon presentation at the veterinary clinic, they are very lifeless with continuous diarrhoea and vomiting.
During the clinical evaluation, the puppy will be evaluated for dehydration, fever, heart rate, and shock. A test will also be performed to test whether the puppy is positive for parvovirus.
If a puppy tests positive we offer three treatment options. The best option is to have the puppy hospitalised at an ICU where the puppy will have the highest chance of survival.
Costs of hospitalisation are anywhere between R9 000-17 000. The second option is to take the puppy home for home treatment – this entails the owner taking full responsibility for cleaning and nursing the puppy 24/7.
This usually amounts to R5 000 – 7 000.
Usually, puppies do not survive well if the owners take care of them. The third option is to have the puppy euthanised if the owner cannot afford treatment. Euthanasia is approximately R1 100.
Parvovirus is preventable if your dog is vaccinated against it!