Do I have any experiences with Parvo? You mean the 32nanometer icosahedral DNA virus that takes as few as 8 virions to establish disease and cause diarrhea and cellular death? In 1978 early Summer I was a vet tech working in a virology lab when the first cases appeared. We knew it was a novel virus but could not reproduce it in the lab and thereby fulfill Koch's Postulates. Someone in the lab thought to try and grow the virus on just about every cell line we had and finally we were able to grow it on Feline Kidney cells which was the first inkling that it was a virus from a feline mutation. Under the electron microscope we saw the viral particles en masse which were the smallest we'd seen at the time. The virus killed puppies and old dogs also and there at first were three types of Parvo, two enteric and one cardiac. The cardiac version killed the dogs quickly and targeted the myocardial muscles but after a while it disappeared. The two enteric versions, KF 11 and KF strain, were identified and are still active today. Every once in awhile an unlearned vet discovers there are more than one strain and proclaims to his clients that the dog owners need to vaccinate against the new strain. In reality, the newer vaccines already contain the ability to protect against the strains that the Parvo produces. Parvo replicates so quickly that literally millions of viral particles are produced. Also note that Parvo requires a fast growing cell cycle to reproduce and is why it is lethal to young fast growing dogs...just like the German Shepherd. It is postulated that Rottweilers, Dobermans, Weimereiners, German Shepherds, and a few other breeds have a novel receptor that makes the infection of Parvo likely.
Treatment against Parvo requires maintaining homeostasis. This means treating against septicaemia, dehydration, shock, and any other manifestation that is presented by the rapid cellular death of the alimentary tract cells...from the mouth to the anus. The absolute worst manifestation is the protein losing enteropathy that requires whole blood transfusions, volume expanders and constant electrolyte monitoring. I hate this form because it is the most formidable. Our success rate is around 75%. Nothing makes me happier than to send a puppy home that has almost met the reaper with this disease and nothing is sadder and disheartening after I have worked so hard and still lose a puppy.
Vaccination is the key for some but not the whole answer to the equation. Some dogs still come down with Parvo after a series of vaccinations...the puppies just don't produce immunity. I wish your puppy well.
Just FYI, Parvo mutates from one species to another around every 40 years. Around 1900 it was Aleutian Mink Disease. In the 1930's it mutated into the Feline species, namely the disease Feline Panleukopenia or Feline Distemper. In 1978 at a Collie show in Mobile, Alabama, it mutated and spread worldwide in a matter of months into the canine population. We are overdue for the virus to mutate into another specie. It could be humans because of our close proximity to the domesticated Feline and Canine populations. Just food for thought.
Thanks for the info, that was interesting.
I remember the television PSAs during the late 70s that warned of the virus.
Re - “We are overdue for the virus to mutate into another specie. It could be humans because of our close proximity to the domesticated Feline and Canine populations. Just food for thought.”
I’ll avoid sharing their chew toys.
Thank you vetvetdoug. For the entire post, but especially:
Nothing makes me happier than to send a puppy home that has almost met the reaper with this disease and nothing is sadder and disheartening after I have worked so hard and still lose a puppy.
... and for your comments about the mutation cycle...