A Guide to Canine Minute Virus
Canine Minute Virus, also known as Canine Parvovirus Type-1, is an infectious disease that usually affects young puppies. This tiny virus generally targets the heart and respiratory system and is also believed to result in the spontaneous abortion of fetuses as well as the death of newborn puppies.
For 20 years after first being discovered, this so-called “orphan virus” was thought to be reasonably harmless and non-pathogenic. Further scientific studies conducted, however, showed that the Canine Minute Virus was not as harmless as previously believed but posed extreme danger for fetuses and newborn puppies.
Symptoms of Canine Minute Virus
Puppy fetuses contract the disease through the mother’s placenta or as soon as they’re born. It is assumed that newborn puppies contract the disease nasally or orally, and transplacental infection is believed to occur when pregnant mothers are infected with the virus between 20 and 30 days of pregnancy. During this time, abortion or reabsorption of the puppies frequently occurs.
Puppies that contract the disease when they are born will die suddenly when they are about one to three weeks old. The only visible symptoms that they have the disease are normally limited to diarrhea and/or breathing problems, which are not always severe. Inflammation of the heart or viral myocarditis is usually the cause of death in these puppies.
Littermates that survive the disease will have vague, non-specific symptoms, such as mild respiratory problems, mild diarrhea, and loss of appetite. These puppies usually recover in a few days.
Treatment for Canine Minute Virus
Unfortunately, because puppies die in the womb or at a very early age, the disease is only diagnosed after they die. Treatment for the disease is not possible because newborn puppies die so suddenly that there is no time to start proper treatment.
When dogs are not vaccinated and get parvovirus later in life, early treatment for severe hydration is often the difference between life and death, and they will usually require IV fluids and a stay at the veterinarian to have a chance for recovery.
Recommended Product: F10 SC Concentrated Veterinary Disinfectant |
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If your dog or puppy has parvovirus or canine minute virus, a trip to the vet as soon as possible is the only thing you should be doing. However, this virus can live on surfaces and in the environment for years, so it's very important that you properly disinfect the areas they've been infected properly. A veterinary-grade disinfectant like F10 SC Concentrated Veterinary Disinfectant is the best product for that job. |
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Prognosis for Canine Minute Virus
Although the diagnosis of MVC is difficult, if a laboratory has the proper antigens, they can, by using immunofluorescence techniques, isolate the virus. Further examination of tissue from dead puppies will probably show evidence of the virus in the bronchial tubes or small intestines. These processes are normally done to try and determine why a small puppy has suddenly died for no apparent reason.
The prognosis for canine minute virus usually is not good, and the only chance dogs and puppies who aren't vaccinated have is if they are treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Areas and Breeds Affected by Canine Minute Virus
Very little is known as to why certain animals are infected with MVC, and others are not, and no vaccine is currently available for the disease. Since the virus attacks fetuses in the womb or directly after the puppy is born, there is little likelihood of a vaccine becoming available any time soon.
Generally, if a puppy makes it to the stage where he can be taken from his mother safely, the danger of him contracting the disease is highly unlikely. Furthermore, the Canine Minute Virus is an extremely rare disease that affects only a very small percentage of dogs in the world.