PARVO OR CAMPYLOBACTOR - IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Campylobacter is an intestinal bacteria which can mimic parvo. It is in the food poisoning group of bacterias such as E coli and Salmonella. Campylobactor bacteria are often found in about 80% of chicken. Adult animals can be infected with it without showing any symptoms and adults can pass the bacteria into the enviornment and new puppies can pick up this bacteria and become deathyly ill if not treated immediately. It can be found in up to 30% of adult dogs. So keep your new puppy away from any adulkt dog you have at home until the puppy is at least 6 months old
The puppy is often found prostrated and you may or may see burgandy color diarrhea which has a smell that most veterinarians will say is the same as Parvo. This is because bloody stool all smells similar. The younger the puppy the higher the fatality rate from dehydration and hypothermia.
While parvo is species specific, campylobacter is not. It can be passed between species, including hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, birds, livestock, etc. and it can be passed to humans. In facts animals can get it from humans and then have it passed back to them.
Campy can be treated with antibiotics , sugar water, warmth and fluids. I have heard stories of dogs being treated for a parvo like illness who was given Chephalaxin was up and around in 4 hours. This doesn't happen with Parvo. Many Vets are not familiar with Campylocator and so will treat for Parvo which can cause thousands. Treating Campylobactor is far less expensive with anitiobtivs and some fluids.
A fecal test sent to the lab looking for this bacteria will confirm the puppy has Campylobactor and not Parvo.
About 80% of chicken has campylobactor bacteria .
Parvo Signs
Parvo puppies sit around for a day or two with depression before severe vomiting and diarrhea begin, or sudden vomiting and prostration may start off the disease. Death occurs in most cases despite blood transfusions, IV fluids and antibiotics. Prevention is the way to go! Neopar vaccine is the best.
Campy Signs
Puppies with intestinal bacteria infections suddenly drop with low blood sugar and weakness. They are found collapsed and unable to raise up. Rarely is there vomiting in the beginning although it is possible. Despite appearing desperately ill recovery is common with the correct antibiotics, glucose for low blood sugar, warmth for hypothermia and Iv fluid support.
Prevention
Things you can do to protect your animals as well as your human family include:
Washing your hands thoroughly when you have handled any droppings, animal or human, and when you have handled animals unfamiliar to you.
Pick up animal droppings in the yard as soon as possible
Don't allow your dog to eat other animal's droppings (this seems to be a dog thing)
Don't allow your animal to drink from pools of water that may have other animal's droppings in it
Launder your animal's bedding frequently
Discourage an infected animal from licking the faces of individuals, especially children or anyone who has a compromised immune system
Since no conclusive diagnostic test exists it goes without saying that Veterinarian's who think they are "saving" Parvo puppies are actually saving a large percent of puppies who have canine Corona virus or infectious intestinal bacteria's, or advanced cases of parasites. Parvo is a fatal illness and most puppies Vet's think they save from parvo do not have Parvo.
AT FIRST SIGN OF ILLNESS DO THIS
The fecal test called a Glass slide smear is sent to a lab. The cost is about $90 but may prove the puppy does NOT have Parvo and save you thousands of dollars. Request the Vet ask the lab to check for Campylobacter, Ecoli & Salmonellla.
Be aware that while you wait for the fecal glass slide test results your puppy may be in need of IV fluids and other support offered by your Veterinarian and there is always that chance that your puppy does indeed have Parvo. Please do not refuse treatment and put your puppies' life at risk while you wait for the results of the fecal test that was sent to the lab.
All Vets should make it mandatory to attempt to RULE OUT intestinal bacteria before assuming Parvo because the treatment for Parvo runs into several thousands of dollars so some people feel pushed toward euthanasia because they cannot foot such a bill. The treatment for Campylobactor will cost a fraction of the Parvo treatment..
BUY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR PUPPY. HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS ILLNESSES THAT ARE NOT GENETIC
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