AC Pup warns against the dangers of parvo
There is nothing cuter than a cuddly and furry little puppy. Playful, energetic babies full of life are always the first to get the attention of potential adopters at any shelter.
I see it all the time. Families congregate around the kennel housing a litter of puppies trying to decide which one to select. Everyone watches for the puppy with the most personality or the one that's most dominant or maybe even the smallest puppy in the group.
Although I always encourage folks to adopt older pets, adding a puppy to your family is a really big deal in a lot of ways. There are always challenges in taking care of a puppy. Besides the fact that they require a lot of attention and can sometimes be destructive, puppies are very susceptible to a disease known as parvo.
Parvo is a highly contagious virus that can be deadly to dogs, especially young puppies. Puppies are particularly at risk because they don't always have a strong immune system. I've seen parvo claim an entire litter of puppies in a matter of days.
Puppies can be exposed to parvo in several different ways, even from the ground where an infected dog has visited before. That's why it's important not to take puppies to public places like pet stores or the dog park.
The parvo virus is so strong and resilient that it can live on the ground or a surface for about a year. In fact, the only thing available for use at home that will kill the parvo virus is household bleach.
That's why is if you ever have a puppy die of parvo, you should not bring another puppy into your home or yard for about a year to be safe. While it may be one thing to disinfect your house, disinfecting the yard is another story.
If you're adopting a very young puppy, please ask the person adopting to you if any of the puppy's siblings have had parvo. If they have, I would walk away. Parvo usually takes 3 to 10 days to show up once the puppy has been exposed. And unfortunately, it's more than 90 percent fatal in puppies that haven't been treated while there's just a 5 to 20 percent chance of survival of those that get quick treatment by a knowledgeable, thorough, aggressive veterinarian.
Even for those poor babies that suffer through the horrible disease, treatment and survive, life is not easy. There seems to be residual effects from parvo for the rest of their lives, whether from true medical conditions or through emotional problems that may result.
Please know the symptoms to look for because time is of the essence if you suspect your baby has it. It's not a disease you wait to see whether it will go away on its own.
If a young puppy becomes lethargic, loses interest in her food and water, has diarrhea which may contain blood or begins vomiting, please don't wait. Take her to the doctor immediately. There's no time to waste.
The folks who work in animal rescue know the symptoms and dangers of this wretched disease all too well. Most all rescuers I know have had a personal experience with it.
Since there is not really a cure yet, please make sure your pets get the shots required. Puppies need a series of shots to be protected. Please follow your veterinarian's advice to help make sure your puppy stays healthy. Your fur baby is counting on you to keep her well.
Send questions to acpup247@yahoo.com. Visit www.acpup.com or like his Facebook page.
This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 5:29 PM with the headline "AC Pup warns against the dangers of parvo ."