Parvoviral Enteritis

Parvoviral Enteritis (Parvo)

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

Section: Information In-depth

Parvo virus can have symptoms similar to many other diseases. These diseases may include:

  • Dietary indiscretion, which is a common cause of vomiting and diarrhea

  • Food-borne bacterial infection. Some foods can give dogs gas or diarrhea, a similar symptom to parvovirus.

  • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), which is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract causing bloody diarrhea.

  • Ileus, a condition in which normal bowel movement is obstructed causing a "functional obstruction" of the intestine

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition in which inflamed cells clog the intestinal wall causing chronic vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss; biopsy of affected intestine is required for diagnosis

  • Intussusception.
    This condition is a prolapse or "telescoping" of one portion of the intestinal tract into another, causing partial or complete obstruction of the bowel, a symptom which can also be a complication of parvovirus; X-rays or an ultrasound may be necessary for diagnosis

  • Mechanical obstruction or foreign body, which may be an object ingested by your pet that is stuck in a part of the intestine like a toy, bone or piece of clothing

  • Other viral infections of the intestines, such as coronavirus and other viruses with similar (though not as serious) symptoms of parvovirus

  • Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, which is the digestive gland located between the liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach and duodenum

  • Parasites, like intestinal worms that feed on an animal host (some also cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, weight loss and lethargy) causing similar symptoms of parvovirus

     
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