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Parvo Virus Alarms 

I'm a little late publishing my blog this week, because I had to do some thinking about the Parvo virus.  I have been researching information about the virus, its causes, how it spreads, symptoms, treatment and how to prevent it.

I would like to start by mentioning that we showed at Novi, Michigan.  There was a report an Australian Shepard had tested positive for Parvo.  As soon as I got the word, I made sure the people that I know that was at that show got the information.  Sure enough, Will Alexander's team had a first hand experience with the virus.  Their afhgan became sick.  Our set up at the Novi show was directing next to Will Alexander's.  There was a calculated risk that we may have come in contact, NO, we most likely came in contact with the virus that weekend.  Of course, I watched my two dachshunds and 9 month old chihuahua for any signs of the virus.  I spoke to people that I thought would give me the proper advice.  None of my dogs showed any sign of the virus during the following two weeks.  We made sure to keep them home and away from other dogs.  We sanitized everything that we use.  

If you are a professional handler or you are a kennel owner, I suspect that you are extremely vigilant.  If you own a kennel and you are participating in any number of dog functions regularly, you will want to take every precaution to protect the entire kennel.  I would not put a show dog with a new mother and babies.  But, who would do that under any circumstance.  

I hear people talking about this being a new strain and the current Parvo vaccine doesn't protect against it.  Or I hear people say, "Oh they were at Novi, they shouldn't be allowed at this show."  I hear people say that they heard so-in-so had a sick dog and they should not be at the show.  I would like to caution people about a mob-mentality.  Irresponsible talk and unverified rumors do not help during a Parva scare.  It's a situation that screams, For the Grace of God Go I.  

How many ex your dogs outside during a dog function?  Everyone!!!  The feces on the ground can be harboring the Parvo virus and your dog just sniffed all around it or you brought it back in on your shoes.  How many of us wash our hands after exing our dogs and picking up poop?   I would dare say very few.  How many of us use the community saw dust expens?  I personally do not.  I never thought that was a good idea on so many levels.

I also think much of the Parvo virus is shared by dogs that are not vaccinated.  I have a friend that has show dogs that does not vaccinate her dogs.  I can't understand that for the life of me.  With all the diseases that have been stopped with vaccines, why would you choose to not vaccinate. The arguments I have heard is, breed sensitivity to certain vaccines and over vaccinating causes harm.  OK,  I can buy vaccine sensitivity.  My particular breed can be sensitive to Lepto vaccine.  If it is a disease less likely for my dogs to come in contact with, then I may skip it.  Or better yet, discuss with you vet a way to give the vaccine in a safer manner for your dog.  Have antihistamines readily available for adverse reaction, or is there a way to give smaller dose and still be effective, perhaps allow the vet to keep your dog for 24 hours to monitor for a reaction.

I firmly believe that unvaccinated animals are the culprits in a lot of the diseases.   At the Novi show, people were encouraged to bring their family dogs to the show to try out agility, herding and obedience.  Those dogs roamed freely throughout the show.  Their owners pet my dogs.  They pooped outside where my dogs pooped.  I am all for encouraging visitors at the dog shows, but leave your pets at home.  No need to introduce a possible illness to the entire show population.

My bottom line is:  

• Have some compassion for those that do come down with Parvo.  Most likely they have done all the right things.
• Vaccinate your animals against Parvo.  Let's take chance out of it.  Just like Rabies, Measles, Chicken Pox and Polio.  It can be controlled.  
• Let Will Alexander be a good  example of how you quarantine your kennel to keep from exposing the virus to others.  It was at a great cost to him to have made the right decision.  He deserves to be praised for his actions.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Symptoms of Dog Parvovirus

From the exposure to the parvo virus, the incubation period before symptoms show, can be anywhere from 2 or 3 days, and as long as a week or more.

While other symptoms may be present, the main symptoms of Canine Parvovirus are as follows:

Lethargy, Depression or Loss of Appetite:

A puppy or dog which is afflicted with Parvo will display signs of lethargy or depression, mainly due to fluid loss. The parvo virus which attacks the gastrointestinal tract leads to a damage of the intestines and an inability for the puppy or dog to absorb fluids. An inability to digest food or fluids may also result in the animal having no appetite. Your puppy or dog may also have a high fever.

Vomiting

With the intestines beginning to be damaged, vomiting is likely to occur. The vomiting of the puppy or dog will likely lead to further dehydration.

Diarrhea 

A clear sign that something is wrong with your pet, is diarrhea. In the early stages of parvo, the diarrhea is likely to be extremely smelly. As the parvo virus infection progresses, the diarrhea is likely to be mixed with blood. In its later stages, following a break down of the intestinal system, the diarrhea will be mainly blood.

If your dog or puppy is experiencing these parvo symptoms, please ensure you see your vet immediately – don’t wait to see if it will improve. As a first stage in the treatment, your dog is likely to require fluid replacement – and your vet will be in the best position to provide this.

If your puppy or dog remains untreated, the virus is likely to get worse and your pet could die. In addition, secondary infections may occur due to the weakening of the immune system and gastrointestinal tract and although your pet may survive, long term damage may occur.

ASK THE EXPERTS

This is a regular feature of my blog.  I will be asking a question to a cross-section of Canadian experts involved in various areas of the dog world.  If you would like to participate or have a question you would like to have asked or have an expert you would like to answer a question, feel free to contact me.

Katheryn Murray and Qi

Qi Ling's Story of Recovery

   by Katheryn Murray, Pro Handler

As many people have heard, recently in Will Alexanders setup was an Afghan Hound puppy that caught Parvo, at, presumably, the Novi, MI dog show. I have the great fortune of co-owning this puppy, his name is Qi and I am writing this to hopefully help others in a similar situation.

Qi's first symptoms were on Monday, January 28. At almost 10 months old. After being normal all day Qi refused to eat his dinner. He is normally a very motivated eater so this set off alarms. That night he was a bit lethargic. I was concerned but its not too unusual for show dogs to catch minor bugs on the road, and we figured we should just keep a close eye on him.

Tuesday January 29 - Qi was healthy!!! Perfectly back to normal!!!! He was energetic all day, ate his dinner happily.

 
Wednesday January 30 - I put Qi out in his yard first thing, he always scratches at the door when he wants in. It was chilly out but to be honest I thought nothing of him wanting to stay out til I looked at the clock and realized he had been out for well over an hour. I checked on him and he was curled up into a ball. I brought him in, he wasnt cold at all, but only wanted to lay down. He threw up a small bit of white foam, otherwise no vomit. He would walk of I asked him to, but it was listless. He just wanted to sleep, cuddle and no food. I panicked, called our regular vet, they didnt have an opening right away to we took him to emergency. They looked him over, checked all his vitals and drew blood. Other then his lethargy and lack of appetite there was nothing wrong with him. His temp was normal, stools normal, urine slightly concentrated, not dehydrated, lungs clear and regular, heart normal, no tenderness in his abdomen. He had last been vaccinated at just over 14 weeks with a modified live parvo vaccine, it was the last of his full set of shots. The emergency vet sent in blood work and said just watch him til we get results back. The rest of the day passed with me watching Qi sleep, monitoring his vitals and waiting for a change
Thursday January 31 - Qi had slept almost all of the day before, refused all food, still no fever or any change. He was sensitive to sounds and light, wanted to cuddle and be warm and still. Blood work came back, it was completely normal. So we went in to our regular vet, again he couldn't find anything wrong with him, though Qi had lost 8 lbs since Tuesday. Then Qi had a bit of diarrhea (at that point he hadn't eaten for well over 24 hrs), our vet guessed it was probably salmonella poisoning. Sent in a stool sample for culture and advised treatment for salmonella, also administered some canned food via syringe. Sent us home to again monitor him and wait for a change. As we were leaving for a show that day, and heard a rumor that a dog at Novi had tested positive for Parvo, we decided to go back to the vets and have him tested. The vet said there was really no reason to, he showed no Parvo symptoms and was fully vaccinated, nonetheless we did. On our way back to the clinic Qi vomited bile, the first time he had done so. Ran the snap test, he tested positive. Obviously none of the setup went to the dog show and Qi went into quarantine in the house. Our vet advised us to keep him hydrated, try to give him some food if he could keep it down and watch him closely. At home Qi refused to eat or drink, I rubbed water on his gums until he would finally start to lap some water from my hand. 

Friday February 1 - Every hour I woke him up, made him drink something and checked his vitals. I did not leave his side. Anne and Will thoroughly disinfected the kennel and looked after everyone else. By that afternoon I started rubbing broth on his gums and finally he would lap some of that from my hand too. By afternoon he ate a small bit of Recovery canned rubbed on his gums. Still had to hand water him, every hour. You may wonder why I did not just syringe fluid and food into him..... well even sick, Qi is a bit of a handful if he decides he doesn't like something.... It was causing too much stress and I worried it would make him sicker. He never was dehydrated or had a fever. That evening he started eating small bits of boiled eggs, rice and cooked ground beef. Drinking out of a bowl if it was held for him, broth and water. 

Saturday February 2 - Morning passed the same, though he was up and walking around more, sleeping less. He started eating very small amounts, offered every hour, and drinking without being asked as long as the bowl was very close by. 

Sunday February 3 - Woke up happy. Had a small breakfast and lunch, was easily drinking normal amounts of water without being asked to, walking over to the bucket himself. Still a bit quiet but trotting outside and happy. By evening he was almost back to normal, demanding food and attention and awake. Ate a full dinner. His stools on the weekend were loose but not diarrhea, he only had diarrhea the one day.

Monday February 4 - You would never guess Qi was sick at all, he is completely back to himself. :)

Katheryn also offers these facts about Parvo:

Some facts about Parvo:

* The Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2a, b and c) is transmitted through feces and saliva. 

* There are two tests for parvo. A snap test involving taking a fresh stool sample to your vet, this 10 minute test will check for the virus being shed in the dogs feces. A titre test, this blood test checks the amount of antibodies in the dogs blood determining if they are infected, have high immunity or no immunity.

* There is no good reason not to run a snap test if you are concerned about your dog (lethargy and off food seem to be the initial signs for this strain). The dog does not need to go into the vets, it costs around $40 and takes 10 minutes. False positives are very rare, false negatives do not happen. It is a definitive test to determine if your dog is affected and also if they are contagious.

* While bleach is very effective against the parvovirus in clean conditions it is rendered useless in the presence of organic material and must sit for 10 minutes to kill the parvovirus. 
Virkon (Trifectant in the US) is the only parvicide that has been proven effective, in trials, in the presence of organic material, again 10 minutes is recommended. This means that on shoes, in the yard or a dog run bleach will not kill the parvovirus. If you are using bleach as your parvicide the area must be cleaned of all debris before applying bleach (diluted 1:30). 

* Vaccinated dogs and older dogs can still get parvo, they usually recover faster but do not assume a parvo affected dog has been neglected or mistreated

* Parvo was first diagnosed in 1978, there is still no direct cure. 

* It is dormant but stable in the freezing cold forever, in the sun for up to 5 months and in house environment for 1 month. Without disinfecting an area it is not really possible to "wait it out".

* Birds can carry parvo on their feet if they step in an affected dogs feces, people carry it on shoes and hands, judges can pass it to other dogs when examining bites. There is no question that show dogs will come into contact with this virus at some point in their careers. The goal is making their immune systems strong enough to protect them and protecting puppies at home. Diagnosing this disease early is key, be aware and keep contaminants to a minimum.

* If every owner had the courage to be honest, every vet had the thought to test and every dog had the care to recover this disease would not be as prevalent as it is today. 

A dog who tests positive is a victim, they deserve our compassion. 

An owner who notifies the public and takes steps to protect others is a hero, they deserve our thanks.

Junior Handlers

I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful young man at the Woodstock show a couple of weeks ago.  He is a new Junior from Forest, Ontario.  He lives on a farm.  He loves the outdoors and dogs.  Woodstock was his first time to enter the ring competitively.  I asked him to tell us about his experience. 

Please meet Greg Wilson from Forest, Ontario

Recently I competed in my first Junior Handler Competition.  It was a great overall experience!  I met lots of really great people that have inspired me to go further in dog handling.  The competition has taught me to be polite and have a good sportsmanship attitude on and off the competition ring.  It is a very social event.  I spent lots of time talking to other handlers.  No matter how good or bad you do, there is always somebody there to congratulate you.  It is a good place to go if you are looking for information on a particular breed of dog.  There are always people willing to share their knowledge and expertise on their breed.  I encourage other kids that love dogs to give it a try.  I know you will love it just as much as I did.

Greg Wilson

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Will Alexander is in our spotlight this     week.

Will did the most unselfish act and displayed a professional attitude when his kennel was infected with the Parvo virus.  He cancelled all shows including Westminster to make sure that not only the dogs in his care had the best possible treatment, but also to not expose other exhibitors to the virus.  All this was done at a great personal financial sacrifice.  

We are so happy to report that the Parvo virus has been contained and all is well at Will's operation.  We all look forward to seeing Will, his team and all their wonderful dogs back in the ring, soon.

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

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