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I would like to have my new puppy immunized. I understand that the main purpose of the vaccination program is to protect against two diseases, distemper and parvo. I have known about distemper for years, but have heard little about parvo. What is parvo? Why did I not hear anything about it ten years ago? |
Parvo is a viral disease that attacks the lining of the intestinal tract. The most common symptoms are vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Left untreated parvo usually causes profound dehydration and death. Death may occur in 12 hours after the onset of the symptoms, making parvo a common cause of sudden mortality of young dogs in this area. With intensive intravenous fluid therapy and good supportive care, the majority of affected animals will survive, showing improvement in three to five days. In spite of the veterinarian's best efforts however, some dogs can not be saved. Prior to 1978, there was not a reported case of parvo. Studies of serum samples taken before 1978 show no evidence of antibodies against the virus. Parvo is actually a new disease. |
*Veterinarians serving Clayton, Garner, and surrounding areas since 1986* |