Canine Parvovirus - Symptoms & Reason to Vaccinate

Parvo is a sad, serious, disease.  The most common form of canine parvovirus is one that affects the gastrointestinal tract.  Puppies will become lethargic, will vomit, and have diarrhea.  Any young animal that has vomit or diarrhea for longer than one day should be taken in - even if you think it is not parvo!  Often the diarrhea or vomit will become bloody as the virus begins to attack the body.  Left untreated, a dog that has parvo will most likely die within a few days.  Parvo is a very painful death – and if you suspect your puppy or dog may have it they need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. 

If caught early enough, dogs that have this disease have a chance at survival.  If the case is severe enough, hospitalization is often times the only means to attempt to save their life.  Not all dogs that receive treatment may survive.

Canine parvovirus is easily prevented by vaccinating young puppies with a series of boosters at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age.  Depending on when the first vaccine is administered, your regular vet may advise a fourth booster.  It is important to get a series of vaccines because there is a variable range in a young body when natural immunities take over from the ones provided from the mother.  It is equally important to follow up with yearly boosters to maintain the level of immunity necessary to combat the disease. 

Parvovirus is an oral-fecal disease.  It is easily contracted by unvaccinated puppies and dogs by bringing them out to public places or around other unvaccinated dogs.  It is shed into the stool, which then can contaminate the dirt for a long period of time.  This is why veterinarians advises to keep the puppy quarantined to your home and only visit homes of other vaccinated and healthy pets.  You should not take your puppy out to public spaces until 16 weeks of age – after they have received their last set of vaccines.

Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore: When to See an Emergency Veterinarian

   It's important that as pet owners, we are able to assess a situation with our pet and determine whether or not it is critical that they see a veterinarian, including an emergency veterinarian.

Here are some signs and symptoms you should never ignore when it comes to your pets:

• Seizure, fainting or collapsing
• Any injury to an eye - no matter how small or minor you believe it to be
• Vomiting or diarrhea, two or more times (your pet can become dehydrated, experience organ failure and even death if untreated).
• Allergic reactions (swelling around the face or anywhere else on the body or even hives [most often seen on the belly])
• Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product.
• Any snake or bug/insect bite
• Thermal stress; whether your pet may be too hot or too cold, it's important you have a veterinarian examine your pet.  Even if your pet may feel fine to the touch, what is going on internally can be a whole another story.
• Any wound or laceration that's open and bleeding, or any animal bite.
• Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine.  Internal bleeding, broken bones, ruptured organs are just a few of the things we see when a pet is "fine" after trauma.
• Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning.
• Straining to urinate, defecate or give birth.

   Although there are some problems that are not life threatening for your pet, they may be causing your pet pain/discomfort and should be taken care of without delay. Signs of pain or discomfort include:

• Panting or labored breathing
• Increased body temperature
• Lethargy or restlessness
• Crying out, yelping
• Aggression
• Change in appetite

   If you feel that any of the above is relevant to how your pet is doing right now, please seek immediate emergency care.  At the very least, call us to discuss the severity of your pet's condition.  And remember, we are open for veterinary emergency care every night between 6:00pm and 8:00am, while open 24 hours on weekends and holidays: (925) 754-5001

Emergency and Urgent Veterinary Care - Antioch, CA

When members of our pet families need emergency care or after hours urgent medical attention, the staff of East Bay Veterinary Emergency is available when your primary care veterinarian is closed.  If you think your pet needs immediate attention, trust your instincts.  We are here when you need us.

Critical Care

When a pet's life hangs in the balance and seconds count, our experienced team, of doctors and staff, is standing by to provide the needed care.  Our fully equipped and specially trained teams are prepared for whatever action it takes to manage even the most critical patients.

 

Both our Emergency Service and Surgery Service provide rapid response for emergency surgeries of all types. 

We are open each and every night between 6:00pm and 8:00am, every major holiday and weekend 24 hours.