Is Parvo contagious to dogs? Yes. However, is dog parvo contagious to us? The short answer to this question is no. Why can dogs get infected with parvo but not us?
This is because the causative agent of parvovirus, a virus, is not present in humans. In fact, there is only one known human parvovirus – the strain that causes the illness in dogs called enterovirulent. It doesn’t infect humans. But, it is the cause of the illness in dogs that makes them susceptible to parvo illness. And, as we’ll see shortly, most of the symptoms in part illness are similar to the common illness that dogs get (well, almost all of them).
So, what is parvo and how is it spread? Parvovirus is an infectious agent that destroys or makes dysfunctional the cells of organs. This includes the liver, lungs, heart, brain and other organs. When infected with parvo the body develops symptoms similar to those of a severe viral infection including, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of weight, sore throat, difficulty breathing and, at times, death. To cause this, the parvovirus needs to enter the body via a dog’s wound, the esophagus or a tear in the gastrointestinal wall.
The primary means of transmission of parvo is through infected feces. Therefore, puppies and adult dogs that have contracted parvo should be checked daily for any signs of the infection. To check for evidence of parvo in feces, look for the tell-tale signs such as blood in the stool or round, red or discolored spots on the feces that are slightly raised.
If you’re pet or dog get parvo and the vet diagnosed it as the infection has not yet progressed to the later stages then your dog is most likely suffering from mild parts. Your vet may recommend that your dog get parvo treated using antibiotics. Antibiotics will cure the current illness but will prevent the dog from getting another illness or condition from having the parvo virus enters its system.
If, however, the illness in your dog is serious, or if there is concern that the parvo virus might have entered the body via the intestines, your veterinarian will probably recommend that your dog be anesthetized and treated with IV hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug that is taken orally. This drug, when used over a period of time, helps treat the inflammation caused by parvo. It also prevents the intestines from being overwhelmed which, in turn, keeps the illness from progressing.
Another sign that canine parvovirus is highly contagious to dogs is the fact that there are very high levels of virus in the feces. These feces are often found outside of the anus, where large groups of infected dogs have congregated. The feces do not always contain the virus. However, it is very easy to tell the difference because the diarrhea is usually accompanied by extremely severe vomiting that is often very yellowish in color.
You should know that part is highly contagious among canines especially to humans. There are numerous things you can do to avoid contracting the illness. First of all, puppies should be separated from adults at all times. Puppies should never be left alone outside without their owner. If you have grown-up dogs in your home, you should avoid allowing them to run loose unsupervised.
Adult dogs can get parts even if they seem healthy otherwise. The only way to tell if your pet is sick is by taking a sample of its stool. You can do this with an inconspicuous place like the veterinarian’s office. If the stool sample reveals parvo virus, you should get parvo treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you treat the illness, the more likely you are to keep it away.
Some signs of parvo that you should watch out for include swelling of the lymph glands in the groin and the abdominal area. The dog may also experience difficulty in breathing and death may occur within two to four hours after contracting the virus. You should be extremely careful about cleaning up the dog’s feces since you don’t want to spread the disease. Some people believe that washing the anal area with bleach is enough to kill any remaining parvo puppy virus, but this is actually not advisable.
If you think your canine has contracted parvovirus, you should contact your vet and discuss what measures need to be taken. The vet will likely recommend a course of antibiotics, which are given intravenously. The veterinarian may also prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat the infection. Keep in mind that most dogs recover completely on their own after receiving medical care. However, you can help your canine’s recovery by feeding them plenty of fluids and rest.