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Did you know that dogs can also be infected with cat viruses? What on earth is going on?
Did you know? Dogs are also affected by a virus called Canine Parvovirus (CPV). This virus not only harms dogs and wolves, but recent research also shows that it may also pose a threat to cats. This news makes owners feel uneasy, but before we delve into this issue, let’s first take a look at the basic information about CPV.
Introduction to canine parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is mainly transmitted through direct or indirect contact with dog feces, which makes it very contagious between dogs. Without treatment, the mortality rate can be as high as 91%. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve your dog’s survival rate.
Early symptoms of CPV infection include listlessness, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea (often accompanied by blood).
Symptoms of infection
After dogs are infected with CPV, they usually show obvious symptoms within three to ten days. The initial symptoms are listlessness, which may be followed by loss of appetite and diarrhea, followed by vomiting. As the condition worsens, diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and disrupt the body's electrolyte balance.
Diagnostic methods
Currently, the diagnosis of canine parvovirus is usually carried out by detecting CPV2 in feces, and doctors can use ELISA testing or PCR technology for confirmation. Because the presence of CPV can be confused with other intestinal diseases, physicians must exercise caution.
Diarrhea, decreased white blood cell count, and intestinal mucosal necrosis can be seen clinically. These indicators usually indicate canine parvovirus infection.
Treatment Procedure
The current standard of care for CPV is supportive care, including hospitalization and intravenous fluids, to deal with severe dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea. If CPV is tested and diagnosed early, the chances of cure are improved.
Drugs such as antiemetics and antibiotics may be used during treatment, but there are currently no specific drugs that can be used to directly combat CPV infection.
Preliminary research shows the potential of certain new drugs as future treatments for canine parvovirus.
Variations and history of canine parvovirus
CPV was first discovered in the 1970s and then spread rapidly around the world. Existing CPV variants include CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c. These variants have different antigenicities and may affect the effectiveness of current vaccines.
Risk of cross-infection
Recent studies have found that CPV may also infect cats. This discovery breaks the past belief that CPV does not infect cross-species. In this regard, veterinarians said that as the virus evolves, its infection range and host expansion may become new challenges.
In a study in Vietnam, more than 80% of feline CPV isolates were actually canine parvovirus, not feline distemper virus.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures for CPV mainly include vaccination. Puppies generally begin vaccinations when they are 7 to 8 weeks old, and continue to receive booster vaccines until they are 16 weeks old. Only through effective vaccination can the risk of infection be reduced and the health of cats and dogs protected.
With the advancement of science and medicine, many studies on canine parvovirus are ongoing. At the same time, owners need to be more vigilant and vaccinate their pets regularly. However, as the virus's ability to adapt to new hosts increases, how will future epidemics develop?
