Parvo virus

Parvo virus

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – Nearly 2,000 pet and stray dogs in Amravati city were affected by canine parvovirus virus last month with veterinarians cautioning pet owners against a severe outbreak.

Concept –

• It is a highly contagious viral disease that can also be life-threatening in puppies and dogs.
• Parvovirus affects the intestinal tract of canines with puppies being more susceptible.
• Bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, drastic weight loss, dehydration and lethargy are some of the symptoms.
• The virus has reported a 90 per cent mortality rate.
• Experts have stated suspect that the recent rise in cases of Parvovirus in pets is due to the Covid-19 pandemic that compelled many pet owners to avoid timely vaccination of their dogs.

How does the virus spread in dogs?

• The highly contagious virus spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object, including the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
• The dogs can get exposed to the parvovirus every time it sniffs, licks, or consume infected faeces.
• Indirect transmission occurs when a person who has recently been exposed to an infected dog touches the puppy, or when a puppy encounters a contaminated object, like food or water bowl, collars and leashes.

How to keep canines safe from infection?

• Parvovirus has no cure and inoculating a puppy or a dog gives them a fighting chance against the infection.
• The first dose is given at 45 days old and the second 21 days after the first dose.
• To properly protect canines, it is necessary to administer the vaccine to them while they are puppies and then continue to do the same every year.