At East Valley Animal Hospital (serving Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa), we take pet health seriously! And one vital element of keeping your furry friend happy and healthy for a lifetime is scheduling the appropriate vaccination and immunization appointments. Since August is National Immunization Awareness Month, we thought we’d talk about canine parvovirus (parvo) and how you can prevent this extremely dangerous disease by properly immunizing your pup.
What is Canine Parvovirus?
Parvo is a highly contagious, life-threatening viral disease that primarily affects the intestinal tract of dogs and additionally causes damage to their white blood cells. Dog’s are most at risk for this disease when they are still puppies. And if they contract parvo as a puppy, the likelihood of the disease spreading to their heart and causing life-long damage is much higher.
If your dog has contracted Parvo, he may display one or more of the following symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and often severe, bloody diarrhea. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, don’t hesitate to bring your dog in to see us at East Valley Animal Hospital.
How is Parvo Transmitted?
When your dog comes into contact directly with an infected dog’s feces or any object contaminated with the feces of an infected dog, they are at risk for contracting canine Parvovirus. Unvaccinated dogs are at an even higher risk, since the virus can survive for months on inanimate objects. If your dog walks along public streets (a simple walk through the neighborhood for example) or plays frequently in dog parks, there is no doubt that he should be immunized for Parvo.
If you are on the fence about whether to vaccinate your puppy for canine parvovirus, know that the benefits greatly outweigh any potential deficit. At East Valley Animal Hospital, we know that trips to the vet can be stressful for both our furry, four-legged clients and their owners. When it comes to pet health, we are here to ease any of your fears and give your pet, old or young, the best care possible. If you live in Gilbert, Mesa or Chandler, call us today, we’d love to answer any of your questions.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Photo by Conner Baker on Unsplash (6/19/2023)