Parvoviral Enteritis (Parvo)

By: Dr. Debra Primovic

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Pet Lovers

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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