Symptoms Of Parvo – A Deadly Disease
Parvo is a deadly disease that infects young puppies and often kills them within twenty four hours. It's for this reason that you must act immediately upon the noticing the symptoms of parvo in your puppy, as doing so gives you the best chance to save his or her life. Unfortunately, even with the most professional treatment many young puppies will still succumb to parvovirus or the secondary conditions associated with it.
There are a few main signs of parvo in puppies (it is rare, thought not unheard of for parvovirus to infect adult dogs):
Lethargy and depression - Puppies infected with parvo virus will generally want to sleep much more than usual, with lethargy increasing as the disease progresses. While puppies in general tend sleep a lot, puppies with parvovirus will start sleeping even more as their body is trying to fight a deadly disease. The puppy may also appear depressed and no longer want to play, or not play as often as he or she used to.
Loss of appetite - Usually young puppies want to put absolutely everything in their mouth. However, once infected with parvo, dogs with previously ravenous appetites will generally cease to eat, no matter how delicious the offering. Appetite will decrease more and more as the disease progresses.
Foul (often described as metallic) smelling diarrhea (that may contain blood) - The smell of parvovirus is very distinct and once you clean up after a puppy infected with the disease, you will never forget it. Extremely foul smelling diarrhea, that may be very liquid in matter is a major sign of parvo. As the disease progresses it will likely contain traces or large amounts of blood.
Vomiting - Small or large amounts of vomit (may be clear and appear like saliva) are one indicator of parvovirus, and often will be among the very first symptoms. However, not all dogs that are infected with parvo will experience vomiting.
If your puppy is experiencing signs of parvo, it is of the utmost importance that he or she receives intensive veterinarian therapy immediately. Many dogs will die of the dehydration associated with parvo, or of a secondary infection, rather than from the disease itself. Death can occur within twenty four hours, or may take as long as weeks in some cases. It is vitally important that your puppy receives timely supportive therapy in order to have the best chance of survival.
