Here we will discuss symptoms that my doodle dog may have Canine parvovirus. This is a very contagious virus that mostly affects doodle dogs.
While it is a life-threatening health condition, knowing its symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment can be key to ensuring your doodle dog remains safe and healthy.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about symptoms of canine parvovirus in doodle dogs.
We will also discuss how you can help your doodle dog that has contracted canine parvovirus. Keep reading to learn more!
What Is Canine Parvovirus?
Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious infection that mostly affects unvaccinated dogs under four months.
It is a relatively new virus in doodle dogs, with some of its first cases registered in the 1970s.
The virus can remain viable on a contaminated object or environment for over eight months and be transmitted to multiple animals or doodle dogs.
When your dog contracts canine parvovirus, it can be contagious within four to five days of the virus entering its system, usually before the incubation period has elapsed and your dog starts showing symptoms.
Doodle dogs can contract canine parvovirus by getting into nasal or oral contact with infected feces or contact with the environment or objects contaminated with canine parvovirus.
Symptoms of canine parvovirus in Doodle dogs
- Around 5-7 days of your doodle dog contracting the virus.
- After the parvovirus incubation period
- Within a broader range of 2-14 days.
The canine parvovirus treatment is effective when the infection is diagnosed earlier. Therefore, here are the common symptoms of parvovirus in doodle dogs to watch out for;
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the most popular signs of parvovirus in doodle dogs. Although abnormal and loose stool can be a result of multiple contributing factors.
Such as allergies or dietary changes, diarrhea in your doodle dog can be especially alarming. Therefore, diarrhea in unvaccinated doodle dogs can be a sign of parvovirus infection.
If you have concerns that your doodle dog is experiencing diarrhea and digestive issues, use the Purina Fecal Score to better describe and determine the symptoms and signs to your vet professional.
After examination, they can determine whether it is a symptom of parvovirus or something else.
Vomiting
Vomiting can also indicate that your doodle dog is infected with parvovirus. Although some doodle dogs have specific sensitive stomachs, vomiting, and other symptoms can indicate a parvovirus infection.
There are multiple reasons for your doodle dog vomiting. Therefore, we always recommend playing it safe and ruling out any chances that your doodle dog ate something toxic, has the possibility of illnesses, or has been infected by a virus.
You should always take this symptom seriously and handle it carefully, as your doodle dog may suffer from parvovirus.
Anorexia
It is often alarming if you notice a decrease in your doodle dog’s diet or if they seem not interested in eating at all.
For instance, dogs require a lot of nutrients, and significantly growing doodle dogs and a lack of eating can lead to anorexia or significant weight loss.
Generally, parvovirus affects your doodle dog’s gastrointestinal system, making it hard for them to eat.
However, there could be many factors leading to anoxia in doodle dogs. Therefore, it is vital to consult your vet professional to diagnose your doodle dog with any possible canine parvovirus.
Lethargy
Lethargy does not always mean laziness. It in doodle dogs appear less interested in activities they otherwise enjoy, acting out of character, having slower response to stimuli, and grogginess.
Canine parvovirus can cause an energy decline in your doodle dog, and lethargy could be a resulting sign or symptom.
Therefore, if you have had an otherwise active and playful doodle dog that has suddenly become dull and less interested than normal, it could be a sign of a possible infection, such as canine parvovirus.
While it is usual for your doodle dog to enjoy a lovely nap after some tremendous and vigorous playtime, if it starts exhibiting signs of a decrease in energy, it is always recommended to explain this to your vet professional.
Fever
Fever is another symptom associated with canine parvovirus. For instance, if you suspect that your doodle dog has a fever, we recommend using a pet thermometer to check its temperature.
When your doodle dog develops a fever, its immune system tries to fight the parvovirus by raising the body temperature to make it difficult for the parvovirus to survive.
Therefore, if you notice your doodle dog having fever and other signs mentioned above, we recommend taking them to your vet professional to diagnose them for viruses and illnesses, such as parvovirus.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body of your doodle dog is losing more water than it is replenishing and is not getting enough water to a dangerous degree.
For instance, when parvovirus infects a doodle dog, it enters its intestines, causing intestinal bleeding and inflammation.
This makes it very hard for your dog to ingest anything because it will always be vomited. This can lead to your doodle dogs becoming dehydrated.
Therefore, if you notice any signs of dehydration, you should treat them as emergency conditions and contact your veterinarian to diagnose your doodle dog for canine parvovirus.
Depression
Another symptom of canine parvovirus in doodle dogs is depression because of feeling sick. But, it can be very tough to determine if your doodle dog is depressed as it can not speak up about its troubles.
Canine parvovirus can make the life of your doodle dog miserable. Therefore, depression and other symptoms discussed in this article could potentially mean your doodle dog suffers from canine parvovirus.
However, we recommend contacting your vet professional to diagnose the dog and rule out any other medical or health conditions.
Septic Shock
If left untreated, canine parvovirus can rapidly develop and worsen symptoms. For instance, septic shock happens when there is an overwhelming parvovirus infection in the doodle dog’s body.
For instance, when parvovirus enters the digestive system of your doodle dog, it causes bleeding and inflammation of the intestinal tract. This can damage the intestines, leading to the infection getting into the bloodstream and infecting the whole body.
Therefore, septic shock can be extremely hard to treat, so we recommend contacting a vet professional immediately if you suspect your doodle dog has contracted canine parvovirus.
Signs consistent with septic shock due to canine parvovirus include weak or poor pulse, tachycardia, and hypothermia.
Canine Parvovirus Prevention
When it comes to canine parvovirus, prevention is paramount. For instance, an ideal way to ensure you keep your doodle dog away from parvovirus infection is to take preventive measures.
canine parvovirus precautions and preventive measures
- Deworm your doodle dog if required.
- Follow strict isolation measures/procedures if you have confirmed or suspect your doodle dog has contracted parvovirus.
- Limit the public areas you visit with your doodle dog before the vaccination age.
- Follow CPV vaccination guidelines when your doodle dog is 6-8 weeks old, 10-12 weeks old, and 14-16 weeks old. You should also administer a parvovirus booster at one year of age, followed by another after every three years.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces and areas the infected doodle dog may have come into contact with
Diagnosis and Treatment
Canine parvovirus is often suspected and diagnosed based on the doodle dog’s laboratory tests, physical examination, and history. For instance, fecal testing can confirm a parvovirus diagnosis.
No particular drug can cure a doodle dog infected with canine parvovirus. For instance, treatment is only meant to support the body’s immune system of your doodle dog until it can fight off the virus.
However, treatment should commence immediately, and it mainly entails combating dehydration by controlling diarrhea and vomiting, replacing fluid, protein, and electrolyte losses, and preventing secondary infections.
Treating your doodle dog for canine parvovirus can be very expensive, and it can die despite aggressive treatment. However, early aggressive treatment can be essential for successful outcomes.
For instance, the survival chances can approach 90% with proper care. Therefore, we recommend contacting your veterinarian to diagnose and treat canine parvovirus immediately after you notice the symptoms mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
Knowing the symptoms of canine parvovirus and taking preventive measures can assist in ensuring you and your doodle dog have lots of fun for many years.
So, if you notice symptoms of your doodle dog having parvovirus, take it to a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment guidance.