1980-11

AUSSIE TIMES - HEALTH 1980
Recently we have encountered a new problem to the dog breeding business,
that being 11 ParvovirUS 11 • The virus is a mutation of a virus that causes
cat distemper and has made a species transition to dogs. It started about
two years ago on the East Coast and has caused the death of many a dog,
especially to young dogs, under six months of age. There is no immunity
for dogs yet, but there has been a vaccine developed and a veterinarian
should be consulted and the shot given if you have not done so already.
The following articles (hopefully, reprint premission will allow me to
include them all at this time) contain information about the virus. Thank
you Trisha Murphy and Sally Smith for sending me these articles and information.
Trisha Murphy has also offered information to those who would like
to help in the research of this viral disease at Cornell University.
PARVOVIRUS -- A NEW CANINE KILLER!
Yes, it can happen to your dog ... There•s a new, emerging disease
ca 11 ed 11 Parvovi rus 11 and its effects are severe and sometimes fata 1. It is
extremely contagious and has spread rapidly throughout the U.S. as well as
various locations throughout the world. There•s no evidence this disease
infected dogs prior to 1978 when it first isolated; therefore, it is
spreadinq throuqh a virqin population of doqs. Unfortunately, there is no
FDA approved vaccine and it may be some time before there is one on the
market. Your interest will help understand this disease, develop vaccines
and expedite their approval.
Parvovirus (parvo) is a very small organism. (In fact, 1,000,000
parvovirus particles end to end would equal less than 1 11 in length). The
disease can be confirmed by examining fresh fecal material under an electron
microscope where facilities are available. Because of the severity of the
disease, and because few facilities are able to perform the necessary tests,
the animal is frequently dead or near death before the diagnosis is confirmed.
This increases the frustration in dealing with the disease.
This disease is characterized by loss of appetite and depression;
vomiting and diarrhea are also seen, both of which may contain blood. The
diarrhea may be orangish in color, have an extremely foul odor, and have
the consistency of 11 Cream of mushroom 11 soup. Dogs under 5 months of age
are usually the most severely affected, however, the disease does not limit
itself to that age group -- deaths have occurred in dogs of all ages.
Temperatures may reach 104-l07°F, especially in younger dogs, while
the temperabure of older dogs is usually normal or slightly higher than
normal (103 F). The incubation period is apparently 3-12 days. Acute
deaths in 4-8 week old puppies have also occurred; in these cases the heart
muscle has been shown to be affected, causing heart failure. Those that
survive may have permanent heart damage. If your dog(s) show(s) the aforementioned
signs, PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION is essential as most deaths occur
within the first 24-48 hours.
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