pathogenesis, clinical signs, prevention, and treatment of canine parvovirus (cpv) infection

Canine parvovirus (cpv), a non-enveloped single-stranded dna virus, is a significant enteropathogen responsible for gastroenteritis in dogs, particularly in puppies. cpv-2 has three major variants: cpv-2a, cpv-2b, and cpv-2c. this study aims to provide a concise overview of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, prevention, and treatment of cpv infections in dogs. in addition to the clinical signs, diagnostic tests are crucial for the confirmation of cpv infection. techniques such as electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa), immunochromatographic tests (ict), haemagglutination assays (ha), and polymerase chain reaction (pcr) are effective in detecting the virus. cpv primarily enters the body via the oral route. its tropism for rapidly dividing cells leads to infection of the hematopoietic system, particularly the bone marrow, resulting in leukopenia and elevated total bilirubin levels. furthermore, cpv causes severe damage to the intestinal mucosa by destroying villi and microvilli structures, contributing to gastroenteric symptoms. the typical clinical signs include anorexia, depression, vomiting, and hemorrhagic diarrhea. in young puppies, early-stage infection may cause myocardial necrosis. dogs aged 6 weeks to 6 months, regardless of breed or sex, are most vulnerable to cpv infection. transmission occurs primarily through oral contact with contaminated feces or surfaces, making communal environments with multiple dogs particularly prone to outbreaks. additionally, feeding dogs with cooked homemade food may reduce the risk of infection. treatment strategies include supportive care with agents such as filgrastim to stimulate white blood cell production, antibiotics like amikacin, and supplementation with vitamin b1 and neurobion. canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus causing significant gastrointestinal, cardiac, and hematologic complications in dogs. diagnosis should incorporate both clinical assessment and laboratory tests such as elisa, ha, and ict. given the highly contagious nature of cpv, preventive measures, including vaccination and hygiene practices, are more effective than treatment in controlling the spread of the disease.