Canine Parvovirus | Canine Distemper| Canine Parainfluenza-Adenovirus type II
Hepatitis-Adenovirus Type I | Bordetellosis - Kennel Cough | Corona | Leptospirosis
 

Pretty and Deadly!  This is a picture of the actual Parvovirus!
Canine Parvovirus

Canine Parvo- Prevalent in puppies and young adult dogs

Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted as easily as walking through a contaminated area and bringing it home on the bottom of shoes.  It can also be transmitted through direct contact, it can be carried on the hair of animals or on their feet.  This must be taken seriously.   Along with being easily transmitted, Parvo is also a VERY highly resistant virus.  Most of your household cleaners are useless in the presence of Parvo.  It doesn't seem to be very effected by temperature fluctuations, even those that are extreme.  Parvo can also linger in an environment for months.  The virus likes to grow in rapidly dividing cells.  The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body.  It also attacks white blood cells and the heart muscle.  In very young puppies it can infect the heart muscle and lead to "sudden" death.  The virus attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea which is often bloody but not always, depression and suppression of white blood cells, which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells.  This is an extremely serious disease and should be treated as such.  Treatment is imperative and should be administered immediately.  Even with the best of treatments, this is still a highly fatal disease.  Death can occur within 48-72 hours after onset of symptoms.

Some Symptoms:  Severe diarrhea (bloody), vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and high fever. 

If you know that you are buying a puppy, stay away from high risk areas.  Pet stores are high risk.  Kennels are high risk.  The rest area off the highways that have a "pet friendly area"...these are HIGH RISK...STAY CLEAR.  Pet Supply Stores...Keep your puppy home.  Order via mail!  Protect your home environment and protect your baby.

***This is meant as informational guidelines only and BraveheartPoodles always recommends consulting your Veterinarian.

This is a picture of the actual Distemper
Canine Distemper

This used to be the most feared canine disease prior to Parvo.  This disease can effect any age dog but primarily attacks puppies.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a tiny virus.

Canine distemper virus is most often transmitted through contact with mucous and watery secretions discharged from eyes and noses of infected dogs. Contact with the urine and fecal material of infected dogs can also result in infection. A healthy dog can be infected without coming in contact with an infected animal. Kennels, runs and other areas used by infected dogs can harbor canine distemper virus. The virus may be borne by air currents and inanimate objects. Short of raising a dog in total isolation, it is nearly impossible to prevent exposure. Some veterinary medical scientists estimate that practically every dog that lives to be a year old has had contact with the virus at some time.

The many signs of distemper are not always typical. For this reason, treatment may be delayed or neglected. The disease frequently brings about something like a severe cold. Most infected dogs have a fever and "stuffed up" head. Exposed animals may develop bronchitis, pneumonia and severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

The first signs of distemper an owner might notice are squinting, congestion of the eyes, and a discharge of pus from the eyes. Weight loss, coughing, vomiting, nasal discharge, and diarrhea are common. In later stages the virus frequently attacks the nervous system, bringing about partial or complete paralysis as well as "fits" or twitching. Dogs suffering from the disease are usually listless and have poor appetites.

Sometimes the signs may be very mild and perhaps go unrecognized, or the dog may have a slight fever for a couple of weeks. If pneumonia, intestinal inflammation or other problems develop, recovery takes much longer. Nervous problems often last many weeks after the animal has recovered from all other signs of infection. Occasionally the virus causes rapid growth of the tough keratin cells on the footpad, resulting in a hardened pad.

Distemper is so prevalent and the signs so varied that any sick young dog should be taken to a veterinarian for a definite diagnosis.

***This is meant as informational guidelines only and BraveheartPoodles always recommends consulting your Veterinarian.