Canine parvovirus (CPV) causes an acute, highly contagious enteritis that strikes mainly young, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated dogs. The virus destroys intestinal crypts and bone marrow precursors, so a puppy can go from lethargic to septic within a day or two.
Key facts
Canine parvovirus at a glance- Agent: canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), a nonenveloped single-stranded DNA virus thought to have arisen from feline panleukopenia virus; today's variants are CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c.
- Species and system: dogs (the variants can also infect cats); gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow and lymphoid tissue.
- Typical patient: 6 weeks to 6 months old, unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, often from a shelter or breeding kennel.
- Classic presentation: lethargy and anorexia, then vomiting and hemorrhagic small bowel diarrhea, with leukopenia.
- Diagnosis: fecal antigen test (or PCR) plus history and signs.
- Treatment: supportive; no specific antiviral is proven.
- Prevention: core modified-live vaccine; bleach or peroxygen disinfection, because the virus survives for months outdoors.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 6 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 12 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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