Dog Talk April 2003

Parvo The signs of parvo-virus are not specific. Be on the lookout for lethargy and loss of appetite, progressing within a day or two to vomiting, diarrhea (often profuse and bloody), and high fever. Don't wait for the more severe signs to develop. If your normally energetic "chow hound" becomes listless and disinterested in food, play it safe and visit your veterinarian. There is no sure-fire parvo preventive, but the following precautions--especially important for puppies--will increase your dog's chances of living parvo-free: Stick religiously to your dog's vaccination schedule. Prevent your dog from coming in contact with feces. Observe good hygiene at home, and if you board your dog, insist that its kennels and runs be disinfected daily. A 1-to-30 ratio of chlorine bleach to water is most effective against parovirus.

Check back for new Dog Talk columns each month!

Here are links to previous articles:

• 10 Reasons to Let Your Dog Play with Other Dogs

• Dental Disease

• Hypothermia and Frostbite

• Walking in the Dark

• Poetry in Motion

• West Nile Virus Update

• Play Aggression

• How Heatproof is Your Dog?

• Pools & Dogs

• Crating No Nos

• Helping Kids Cope

• Special Conditioning

• Signs of Kidney Disease

• Age proofing Checklist

• Sleep Disorders

• Turkey Day Tips

• Fear Biting

• Bloat

• Poison Ivy and Sumac

• Dogs in the Garden

• Skunk Hours

• Airway Aid

• Bathing Tips

• First Aid Kits

• Fall Safety Tips

• Plant Poisoning and Small Animals

• It's Hot, Hot, Hot - Dogs and Summer

• Political Pooches

• Lost Dog Poster

• A Secret To Add 2-6 Years To Your Dog's Life!

• Waiting Room Anxiety