Remy - Parvovirus

By: Jenn Gargano, DVM

Remy was an 11 week old unneutered male lab /mixed breed dog that presented to the emergency clinic for depression, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea that became bloody.   Physical exam confirmed bloody stools, a fever, dehydration and a painful abdomen with thickened intestines.  Remy was admitted to the hospital and started on aggressive intravenous fluids, antibiotics, anti-emetics, and pain medications.  His glucose levels were monitored closely as he was not able to eat due to profuse vomiting.  Other blood work such as a complete blood count, albumin levels (protein) and electrolytes were also monitored and adjustments made to his fluids as needed.  His white blood cell count was low and his protein levels were also low due to the profuse diarrhea.  It was decided to give Remy a plasma transfusion to help with his low protein levels.  Once his vomiting began to subside, he was started on syringe feeding until he could eat on his own.  After 4 days in hospital, Remy began eating well and ceased to have vomiting and the bloody diarrhea and was thus discharged from the hospital.  He went on to make a full recovery. 

Parvovirus is a small, highly infectious virus that replicates and destroys intestinal cells.  It causes severe vomiting and diarrhea that may become bloody and can lead to severe dehydration, multi-organ failure, sepsis (blood infection) and/or death.  Young puppies that have not received all their vaccinations are at most risk, but dogs of any age that are not vaccinated are susceptible.  The virus is very stable in the environment and can persist on objects such as, clothing, bedding, food pans, toys, floors, and among other things, for 5 months or longer.  It is recommended to have your puppy follow a strict vaccination schedule (ask your veterinarian what they recommend) and never take a puppy under 6 months old to any public places where they may be exposed to the virus. 

Dr. Jenn Gargano joined Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of New Mexico in July of 2009 as one of our emergency doctors.  Prior to making her home New Mexico, she lived in Massachusetts and devoted herself to the Cape Animal Referral & Emergency Center.  Dr. Gargano earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2001 from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin and in 2006, she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts.  She also completed an emergency and critical care internship at the New England Animal Medical Center in 2007.   Dr Gargano has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and hopes to one day be able to divide her time between emergency medicine and wildlife rehab.  She currently lives with two cats and a dog she adopted after moving to Albuquerque.