Kitty presented to the hospital with vomiting, diarrhea and depressed.  This is Kitty during the early portion of her hospital stay.  She is in our isolation ward.  She is being treated with intravenous antibiotics and anti-vomiting / anti-nausea medication.  She is on an electric fluid pump to continuously give her fluids, electrolytes, and dextrose.

Parvo is a deadly viral disease that affects mainly puppies.  The virus attacks the rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow and intestines.  Within the bone marrow, the virus knocks out the young cells of the immune system, causing a drop in circulating white blood cells.  The heaviest damage occurs in the intestines.  Normal intestines are lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi.  The source of new cells that line the villi come from the Crypts of Lieberkuhn.  It is right at the crypt where parvovirus strikes.   Without new cells, the villus cannot absorb nutrients and bloody diarrhea results.  The barrier separating the digestive bacteria from the bloodstream breaks down.  All these can cause dehydration, shock,  multiple organ failure, and finally death.  Treatment is supportive, meaning complications are treated while the virus runs its course.  Treatment includes 24 hour intravenous fluids and injectable medications consisting of antibiotics, anti-emetics and antacids.  In very severe cases blood transfusions may be necessary.  Duration of hospital stay may be 3-10 days.  Severity of illness depends on the age of the puppy, if any vaccines were previously given, concurrent illness such as intestinal parasites, and level of exposure.  Puppies get some protection from parvo from their mother's first milk.  These antibodies wear off during the first 4 months of life.