Parvovirus

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What is Parvovirus?

It is a highly contagious viral disease and life-threatening illness common among puppies. It rapidly attack cell in the dog’s body severely affecting the intestinal tract. This virus can even damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac troubles.

Symptoms

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Loss of Appetite
• Bloody and Foul Smelling Diarrhea

How the virus can be transmitted?

The virus can be transmitted by any person, animal or objects that has direct contact with the feces of the infected dog. The virus can even live in the environment for months and may survive in objects used by the infected dog like dog bowls, dog toys, clothes and floors.

Is my dog prone to Parvovirus?

Yes, commonly puppies, adolescent dogs and dogs which do not have vaccination are prone to the virus.

How Parvovirus be prevented?

The answer is very easy, make sure your dog’s vaccine is up-to-date. The “5-in-1” is an anti parvo vaccine commonly used by most of veterinarians and breeders. It protects the puppies from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Other kind of vaccine is the “6-in-1”.

Generally, we recommend dog owners especially future owners not to forget to complete your dogs vaccine routine. It is very important for your puppies to complete this to avoid unwanted incidents. If you are going to buy a puppy from a local breeder make sure that the puppy has been vaccinated at least two times before bringing it home. Some breeders would say, “That’s not a problem, you can get it now”. I’m telling you, you are taking such a big risk.

Reference: http://www.aspca.org

9 Signs Your Pet is Depressed

9 Signs Your Pet is Depressed
Photo Credit: ph.she.yahoo.com

Yes! even dogs get depressed especially when our fur kids experienced changed in environment. So how can people know if this kiddos is feeling down? Below are the list from yahoo:

1. Your Dog is Wagging Its Tail Less – You know when they are happy when they wag they tails once they saw you but once you saw it down between their legs think of it maybe they are scared or depressed.
2. Hiding – Our pets deserve its time alone but once you noticed that they are spending much more time hiding under your beds or sofa that could also be an indication of depression.
3. Not Wanting to Be Left Alone – This is separation anxiety. Some pets tends to cry and whimper when you leave the house. Chewing some property and even destroying them could also be a sign.
4. Too Little or Too Much Grooming – Animals may stop grooming themselves when they are depressed, other take it to the extreme over grooming.
5. Increased Vocalization – When your dog is crying or whining more that the usual he might want to communicate with you. This could be a possible diagnosis of depression.
6. Loss of Interest in Activities – Lost of excitement when you used to have dog walk could be another sign of depression. Pets feelings turns low like he never want to chase its toys and never had interest when you are starting to play with them.
7. Going to the Bathroom in the House or Outside of the Litterbox 
8. Chewing and Destroying Things – When your pets are depressed they take behaviors like this as if they are bored.
9. Eating and Drinking Less

It really made me sad once a noticed my dog acting unusual.  So when the time come that one or more of these indications is shown by your pets please give them attention. Give them a hug and show how much you love them because according to Josh Billings, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself”, so please give it a return.

Reference: ph.she.yahoo.com