Canine Parvovirus is a contagious agent that can infect many dogs. If your pet is infected with this dangerous disease, he or she may not even show any symptoms. Still, this strange disease can be fatal if it is not treated quickly. Dogs contract parvo (as it is commonly called) through direct or indirect or contact with an infected dogs' feces. While older dogs can catch the disease, most of the time puppies are most susceptible. This is because they do not have the vaccinations which will protect them from contracting the disease, and they have not build up antibodies against it.

There are two types of parvo, an intestinal form and a cardiac form. When a dog acquires the intestinal form of parvo, he will probably show symptoms like vomiting or dysentery. This is especially true if the victim is still a puppy. 80 percent of all older dogs don't show any signs of parvo, even if they have the disease. To catch the intestinal form of parvo, the dog must have oral contact with the disease carrying agent in another dog's feces, an infected soil, or something else with CPV2 present. After the dog has ingested the CPV2, it will spread to the bloodstream. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells, especially those in the lymph nodes, intestinal crypts and bone marrow.

Sometimes the sickness causes a dangerous condition called translocation. This is when the anaerobic bacteria that are normally in the intestinal tract are moved outside and into the bloodstream. It can be very dangerous for your dog. The dog can also contract all sorts of other intestinal issues. Oftentimes the virus is shed through the dog's waste, but may come back periodically. Some of the conditions that come from intestinal parvovirus may last the rest of the dog's life. The sickness is more fatal when it is coupled with worms or parasites.

There is also a cardiac form of the disease. This is less commons, and normally affects puppies, rather than adult dogs. Usually the puppies are between newborn and 8 weeks when they are confronted with the disease. They will start breathing heavily, because the disease affects the muscles around their heart. Sadly, puppies rarely recover from this sad virus. This version of parvo can also attack the liver, lungs, brain, or adrenal cortex. The dog may suffer from lesions as a result, and these may lead to hemorrhages.

This dangerous disease is extremely contagious and can last the rest of your dog's life if he or she catches it. To prevent your dog from getting parvovirus, you will want to keep your home and yard clean. The only household cleaner that can kill these bacteria is bleach. When you get a puppy, make sure you vaccinate it for CPV2 at 16 weeks. Normally the vaccine has 3 parts, so make sure to take your puppy to the vet for all of the series of shots. It may be essential to preserving his or her life. If your dog had parvovirus, and is now recovering, you will want to put him or her in isolation until you are sure that he or she is fully recovered and no longer contagious.

If your dog has parvovirus, you will want to get treatment as soon as possible. Often this disease requires long bouts of hospitalization, because of how it dehydrates the dog and damages the digestive tract. Your dog's ability to survive often depends on how soon the disease was caught. More than likely, your vet will put your pet on an IV with all sorts of medications. The vet will probably also feed your pup intravenously in order to give it the nutrition it needs to pull through. If you are suspect that your dog has parvovirus, then you will want to contact a vet immediately to get a diagnosis. Your dog's life may be contingent on how fast you act on this.