Pet of the Month for June 2021

Kisses is a 10 week old dachshund. She was unfortunately exposed to the Parvovirus before her owners adopted her. They noticed she wasn’t very playful and didn’t have an appetite. Luckily they knew the symptoms and rushed her to us for treatment. She stayed the weekend on IV fluids and medications. Canine Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have “parvo.” The virus affects dogs’ gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects. Kisses is back to her normal puppy self and her Mom and Dad couldn’t be happier.