Parvo

[Quickasyoucan]

I was thinking about this over the weekend.

Someone in the rescue forum said that not all strains of parvo are covered by standard vaccinations.

Just curious as to whether anyone has had a fully vaccinated dog (by that I mean not halfway through puppy vacs) contract parvo?

Is it something people worry about, after all, judging by what I have read, it is very contagious and lasts in the soil for a long time.

Interested in people's input... I don't know very much about the subject.

[~Anne~]

From my knowledge all strains that we have here, or that have vaccines available, are covered by the extisting vaccinations.

[Quickasyoucan]

From my knowledge all strains that we have here, or that have vaccines available, are covered by the extisting vaccinations.

PRS, I think it was Cordelia said that not all strains were covered. Sorry I have a poor memory but I am pretty sure it was her when we were having that "discussion" about rescues last week.

I could have put it in rescue but I thought it was more suited to health/nutrition etc.'

[~Anne~]

Some time ago I read a discussion about the additional strains of parvo and they were being spoken of like they were newly discovered. When I researched it, I discovered they were already up to 5 years old in some countries.

I did not find anything that unequivocally stated that the strains were in Australia or that there were no vaccines created for these mutated strains.

If someone can prove otherwise I would be happy to learn a bit more about them.

[~Anne~]

From the American Veterinary Medical Association and dated September 2008;

Frequently Asked Questions about Canine Parvovirus type 2c

September 2008

[This FAQ document is based on what we currently know about this virus. As we receive more information, this document will be updated.]

Q: What is canine parvovirus type 2c?

A: Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is the virus that causes "parvo" enteritis in dogs. There are several variants of CPV-2; all of the variants of CPV-2 are genetically related.

CPV-2c differs from CPV-2a and CPV-2b at only one point on the DNA strand

Canine parvovirus type 2c (CPV-2c) is a variant of canine parvovirus. It was first detected in Italy in 2000, and has also been reported in Western Europe, Asia, and South America. Outbreaks of canine parvovirus associated with CPV-2c in the United States were confirmed in 2006 and 2007.

Canine parvovirus type 2b (CPV-2b) is the most common variant of the canine parvovirus in the United States, but CPV-2c is becoming the second most common variant.

Q: What type of infection does CPV-2c cause?

A: CPV-2c causes similar signs as those seen with infection with CPV-2a and CPV-2b. These include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and dehydration. The bloody diarrhea might be mild or absent with CPV-2c infection, but affected dogs are more likely to stop eating. Without treatment, many affected animals die. Severe cases may die despite aggressive treatment.

To read more about canine parvovirus, view the AVMA's brochure, "What you should know about canine parvovirus," at http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochure...vo_brochure.asp.

Q: Who is susceptible to CPV-2c infection?

A: The risk for infection with CPV-2c and other variants of the canine parvovirus (as well as many other infectious diseases) is highest when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities, dog shows, and racing greyhound kennels. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection, but puppies and unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated dogs are at higher risk of infection and illness. There is no evidence that CPV-2c, or the other canine parvovirus variants, can infect people.

Q: How is CPV-2c transmitted?

A: As with other parvoviruses, CPV-2c is highly contagious 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.

Q: How is CPV-2c infection diagnosed?

A: Because the signs are similar for CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c infection and illness, the types cannot be distinguished by examination or the signs of disease observed. Commercially available fecal tests are able to detect all variants of CPV-2, including CPV-2c.

Q: What is the treatment for CPV-2c infection?

A: As with the other variants of canine parvovirus, treatment of individual dogs consists of supportive care and efforts to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, control vomiting and diarrhea, and prevent secondary infections. There is no specific anti-viral therapy for CPV-2c infection. Since CPV-2c and other variants of canine parvovirus are highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection.

Q: Is there a vaccine for CPV-2c?

A: Although there is no vaccine to specifically prevent CPV-2c infection, studies have shown that all of the currently available vaccines produced by the five major vaccine manufacturers (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet, Merial, Pfizer and Schering-Plough), when administered appropriately, provide excellent immunity to all variants of the canine parvovirus.

Puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.

Q: How is CPV-2c infection managed?

A: Strategies for reducing the spread of CPV-2c infection are the same as those for other variants of CPV, and include isolation of ill dogs (as well as any dogs exposed to ill dogs), biosecurity measures (such as changing of clothes and hand washing after handling affected dogs), and effective sanitation. Parvoviruses are very hardy, are resistant to many disinfectants, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.

Q: How is CPV-2c infection prevented?

A: When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Vaccinating your dog is the most effective way to prevent infection.

Dogs with vomiting or diarrhea or other dogs which have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so.

For additional information:

Hong C, Decaro N, Desario C et al. Occurrence of canine parvovirus type 2c in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest 2007; 19: 535-539.

Kapil S, Cooper E, Lamm C et al. Canine parvovirus types 2c and 2b circulating in North American dogs in 2006 and 2007. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45: 4044-4047.

Larson LJ, Quesada M; Mukhtar E, et al. Evaluation of a CPV-2 fecal parvovirus ELISA (SNAP Fecal Parvo Test ®) from Idexx Laboratories. 88th Conf Res Workers in Anim Dis 2007, p. 112.

CPV Update, Amer Anim Hosp Assoc; May 28, 2007.

Oklahoma State University press release: http://www.cvhs.okstate.edu/index.php?opti...view&id=437

Schultz RD, Larson LJ. Current canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) vaccines provide excellent immunity to all genotypes of CPV-2 (eg CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c). 88th Conf Res Workers in Anim Dis 2007, p. 113.

Source: Staff research, Communications Division; Dr. Ron Schultz, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

Contact: Dr. Kimberly May, Medical/Science Writer, AVMA Communications Division, 847-285-6667 or [email protected].

This information has been prepared as a service by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Redistribution is acceptable, but the document's original content and format must be maintained, and its source must be prominently identified.

[~Anne~]

A little more;

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT CANINE PARVOVIRUS '2C'

No evidence for substantially different properties

In recent publications and email communications a lot of attention has been given to the "new" canine parvovirus (CPV) strain, which has been designated CPV strain 2c. It is important to put this mutation into a context. This virus has a single nucleotide substitution that changes one amino acid in the capsid protein. That amino acid (of viral protein 2 (VP2) residue 426) had previously undergone a change from an asparagine to an aspartic acid to give the so-called CPV-2b strain, and in the CPV-2c variant that aspartic acid changed to a glutamic acid, a similar amino acid.

Over the 30 years since canine parvovirus emerged in dogs it has undergone some evolution, with a small handful of changes that have been selected in the virus. Some of those mutations created small changes in the capsid surface that influence the binding to the host antibodies, and the changes of VP2 residue 426 have a small influence on the binding of some antibodies. However, dogs make a large variety of antibodies against the virus and these mutations only influence the binding of a small proportion of those, so that the immunity generated against any of the canine parvovirus strains still has a great deal of reactivity with all other strains of parvovirus.

Current Vaccines Protect Against All Strains

The research to date shows that all currently available vaccines protect against all known strains of CPV, including the newer CPV-2c strain 1,2,3. Some of the evolution of the CPV appears to give new strains small selective advantages in nature, and in some cases those can eventually replace the old variants. For example the original CPV-2 strain from 1978 is not found in nature today as it was replaced in 1980 by the CPV-2a variant. The CPV-2a is still the common virus circulating in the USA and around the world, and the CPV-2b and CPV-2c variants essentially differ from that 1980 virus at a only one or two amino acid positions 4,5.

There is no evidence that CPV-2c is a more serious threat to either shelter or owned dogs than the other CPV strains. It is not possible to distinguish CPV-2c from CPV-2b or -2a isolates based on clinical signs or parvo snap tests. CPV-2c causes similar clinical signs as the previously known strains, including mucoid or hemorrhagic diarrhea, leukopenia, and lymphopenia 4,5. Although a few reports suggest that CPV-2c may cause more severe clinical signs than -2a and -2b, others describe less-severe disease and lower mortality rates in CPV-2c infected dogs 6. There is no evidence, nor reason to believe, that the susceptibility of CPV-2c to disinfectants is different than other strains of parvovirus. All parvoviruses are environmentally persistent and resist inactivation by some common disinfectants, including quaternary ammonium compounds and alcohol. However, all strains can be reliably inactivated by correctly applied disinfectants documented to inactivate parvoviruses, including sodium hypochlorite (household bleach diluted at ½ cup per gallon) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (e.g. Trifectant ®).

CPV-2c is not known to be a particular diagnostic challenge, and is expected to cross react with commonly used ELISA tests just as other strains do. To distinguish the CPV-2c from CPV-2a/2b requires DNA sequence analysis or PCR 3; however, there seems to be little or no clinical use for these tests, as vaccine or management principles are not different.

Virus Continues to Evolve

Canine parvovirus continues to evolve, and it is possible that future variants may be altered in detection properties or vaccine susceptibility, but this has not been demonstrated to date. If unusual cases of canine parvovirus infection are suspected please contact the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. In the meantime, the appropriate precautions when CPV is diagnosed or suspected in a shelter are the same regardless of which strain of CPV is involved.

References

1.Schultz, R. L., L. Current Canine Parvovirus Type 2 (CPV-2) Vaccines Provide Excellent Immunity to All Genotypes of CPV-2 (eg CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c). Conference for Research Workers in Animal Diseases, Chicago. 2008

2.Larson LJ, Schultz RD. Do two current canine parvovirus type 2 and 2b vaccines provide protection against the new type 2c variants. Vet Ther. 2008 Summer;9(2):94-101.

3.Spibey N, Greenwood NM, Sutton D, Chalmers WS, Tarpey I. Canine parvovirus type 2 vaccine protects against virulent challenge with type 2c virus. Vet Microbiol. 2008 Apr 1;128(1-2):48-55. Epub 2007 Oct 2.

4.Hong C, Decaro N, Desario C, Tanner P, Pardo MC, Sanchez S, Buonavoglia C, Saliki JT. Occurrence of canine parvovirus type 2c in the United States. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2007 Sep;19(5):535-9.

5.Kapil S, Cooper E, Lamm C, Murray B, Rezabek G, Johnston L 3rd, Campbell G, Johnson B. Canine parvovirus types 2c and 2b circulating in North American dogs in 2006 and 2007. J Clin Microbiol. 2007 Dec;45(12):4044-7. Epub 2007 Oct 10.

6.João Vieira M, Silva E, Oliveira J, Luísa Vieira A, Decaro N, Desario C, Muller A, Carvalheira J, Buonavoglia C, Thompson G. Canine parvovirus 2c infection in central Portugal. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2008

Source: www.animalsheltering.org

[Kirty]

Are you sure you weren't thinking of KC (kennel cough)? The vacc for that only covers a few strains of the virus and many dogs that are vacc against KC will get it anyway.

[Quickasyoucan]

A little more;

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT CANINE PARVOVIRUS '2C'

No evidence for substantially different properties

Thanks, for that gives a lot of comfort.

BTW found the post, where Cordelia mentions it:

Sorry don't know how to get the quotes from another thread...

"Chlorine Bleach is far better than F10 and cheaper.

3wks post infection is usual as dogs can shed (no guarantee they are but better safe than sorry) the virus.

Trouble shouldn't be going out either though. He could still track the shedded virus to others.. and since there are numerous strains of Parvo, the vaccine doesn't actually cover them all... pups could go to a dog park who could still be susceptible if their vaccines haven't kicked in properly etc.

Lots of ball throwing and play at home"

--------------------

"CORDELIA'S CANINE RESCUE"

Rouse Hill, Sydney.

0402 236 773.

www.cordysrescue.com.au

IF WE DON'T SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT........ WHO WILL????

Cordelia's Photography

ETA: PRS looks like it's just you and me in this thread anyway, so I could have put it in rescue!!!

Edited September 22, 2008 by Quickasyoucan

[~Anne~]

From everything I have read and seen, the current vaccines appear to cover the 3 known existing strains.

This is the only relevant information I have dug up (apart from documentation from the drug companies that make the vaccines) in Australia. Please not that this is 3 years old however.

Author(s) Meers, J.

Kyaw-tanner, M. T.

Burgess, G.

Smith, J. L.

Bensink, Z.

Swijnenberg, R.

Title of paper Genetic analysis of canine parvovirus from dogs in Australia

Conference name 3rd Aust. Virology Group Meeting

Conference location Phillip Island, Victoria

Conference dates 9-12 Deember 2005

Place published Australia

Publisher Aust. Socy for Microbiology

Publication date 2005

Collection year 2005

Language eng

Abstract/Summary Objective To determine the genetic variants of canine parvovirus-2 (CPV) present in domestic dogs in Australia and to investigate 26 cases of apparent vaccine failure. Design Thirty-three samples of faeces or intestinal tissues and 16 cell culture virus isolates collected over a period from 1980 to 2005 from five Australian states were analysed. Procedure DNA was extracted from the samples and a 1975 bp fragment of the VP1/2 gene of CPV was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Sequences were compared to published strains of CPV-2, CPV-2a, CPV2b and CPV-2c. Results Forty-one of 43 PCR-positive samples contained CPV-2a viruses. One sample collected in 2002 from a pup in northern NSW contained a CPV-2b virus. One sample that had been included in the study as a CPV-antigen negative control sample contained a CPV-2 virus. Conclusion CPV-2a remains the predominant genetic variant of CPV in dogs in Australia and has not been replaced by CPV-2b or CPV-2c as in many other countries. The vaccine failures investigated in the study were likely caused not by genetic variation of field viruses but by maternal antibody interference in the response of pups to vaccination.

Source: http://espace.library.uq.edu.au

Edited September 22, 2008 by PugRescueSydney

[~Anne~]

Sorry don't know how to get the quotes from another thread...

Just copy and paste the text as you have done and then highlight the text you want in the quote and click on the button above that is like a speech balloon (when you are in the screen of writing your post). Aletrnatively, actually type the word 'quote' (without the ' ' marks) inside two square brackets at the beginning of the text you want quoted and do the same at the end of the text you want quoted but add a back slash before the word quote when your doing the one after the text.

[stormie]

My understand from the VetPath guy from the Jean Dodds seminar was that there is a strain that up till now, has not been found in Australia, however he confirmed that they have seen cases of it. He said in most cases, dogs and puppies with high titres seemed to be ok, but pups and adults with med-low titres had been affected and that these cases would usually have been unaffected by the strains we are used to.

[Jed]

Research has shown that dogs which are vaccinated annually are often not fully protected, as the vaccinations cancel each other (that is not quite correct, but saves me going into pages of explanations). This explains why dogs which are vaccinated still contract parvo.

Puppies which are vaccinated at 6 weeks often have no protection either. This was thought to be because maternal immunity via the mother's milk over-rode the vaccination, and they "cancelled" each other. However, it seems that at 6 weeks, the pups immune system is not mature enough to challenge the vaccine.

My dogs have 3 vaccinations up to 14 months, then do more. I have had rescues with parvo, and my dogs have not caught it.