Canine Parvo Research Paper

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs and can produce a life-threatening illness. 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. The virus attacks by rapidly dividing cells in a dog’s body. The less common form is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death. This happens because the disease attacks the white blood cells. 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. …show more content…
The cardiac variant of parvo is much less common than the intestinal form and is found in very young puppies under eight weeks old. These puppies usually have been infected by a mother with parvo while they were still in the womb. The virus targets the muscles of the heart and these muscles are not strong enough to withstand the virus. In almost all cases of cardiac parvo virus infection, young puppies die. The death of a puppy infected with this variant of parvo can come on suddenly with little sign of distress or it can be accompanied by a short period of respiratory trouble. Veterinary surgeons have found that the virus results in microscopic necrosis of heart tissue in dogs that do not survive. In dogs that are somehow able to withstand this virus, there is evidence of the growth of fibrous tissue which may cause complication in later life. Recently there are fewer cases of the cardiac presentation of the parvovirus these days due to the availability of the vaccination that is given routinely to dogs intended for

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Canine Parvo Research Paper