Is part contagious to humans? Many people ask that question when they hear the word “parvo” followed by a salutation such as “parvo on dogs”. Parvo is a highly contagious canine disease caused by a bacterial infection with the dog parvovir virus. The word “parvo” literally means “stomach rot” – a frightening thought for pet owners who have had dogs that suffered from stomach rot or other digestive issues. However, part is not, in fact, a particularly common canine illness and is rarely, if ever, heard of among dog owners.
So, is part contagious to humans? It is definitely not. The word “parvo” itself is derived from a Russian name which meant “feverish death”. The term “parvo” is commonly used to refer to canine diarrhea, a complication of the parvo virus. The virus itself is not particularly harmful to humans (the only known cases of parvo in humans are infections from disease-carrying mosquitoes); however, it is highly infectious to dogs, causing diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool, and in some cases, death. Therefore, parvo is a highly communicable form of dog disease and is likely to be passed from one dog to another during regular bathing rituals.
So, why do some dogs contract parvo and why do some dogs get no outward signs at all? Dogs can contract parvo from infected animals, but this is unlikely, since bichromal (the virus which causes the disease) only affects dogs. If your dog contracts parvo, the virus will affect his nervous system, resulting in loss of consciousness and eventually death. In dogs that do contract party, the virus will remain in the body for up to six days before symptoms appear. However, because the symptoms usually show up shortly after the onset of illness, it is very possible to pass the infection on to other members of the household.
Some common symptoms are weakness, dizziness, depression, lack of appetite, urination, and the presence of blood in the stool or urine. There is no current treatment for parvo, and it is believed that the first victim of the party was a puppy; probably a golden retriever around one year of age. However, it is not uncommon for older dogs to suffer from parvo. Young puppies and adult dogs can both contract parvo, although the symptoms tend to vary. Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, and Rottweilers seem to be at the higher risk of contracting the disease.
It is very difficult to determine how the deadly disease is transmitted from dogs to humans. Medical studies have been conducted in an effort to discover how the deadly parvo is transmitted between animals, but no conclusive results have yet been discovered. The disease is highly contagious between dogs and their dogs. The main means of transmission is through breathing air with an infected dog present in the same room as the sick puppy. Another method of transmission is through saliva and tears.
Veterinarians believe that the main source of parts contagious to humans is through vaccination. Nearly all Golden Retrievers and most other breeds of dogs are frequently vaccinated against this highly contagious strain of parvo virus. Unfortunately, many of these vaccinations are not even necessary due to the low occurrence of parvo in the wild. However, vaccination is always the best prevention available, and owners should always remember to get their dogs’ booster shots before the next vaccination.
Stomach flu and colds are also thought to be the source of this deadly virus among dogs. Like parvo, these viruses are highly infectious between dogs and their owners. The symptoms for stomach flu and colds in dogs include lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive licking of the genitals, and nasal congestion. These symptoms do not generally occur in infected wild Golden Retrievers, but because they mimic those of a cold or stomach ulcer, some owners believe their dogs catch these illnesses through exposure to humans.
Like any other diseases or ailments, parvo is preventable through vaccination, regular checkups, and timely treatment. Pets that are not regularly vaccinated or treated for parvo virus can easily become victims of the deadly condition. Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Saint Nicholas, Lhasa Apsos, and Poodles are considering high risk dogs, since they have lower immunity than other breeds. Hence, owners must vaccinate their dogs or make sure they receive regular checkups so they can be properly treated if they are infected by parts.
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