Parvo IC
Rapid test for the detection of canine Parvovirus (CPV) antigen
Parvo IC is a qualitative immunochromatographic test for the detection of canine Parvovirus (CPV) antigen in canine faeces samples.
Parvo is a very contagious viral disease that can be potentially fatal, especially in unvaccinated puppies.
The virus responsible for the disease is classified as Canine Parvovirus Type 2 (CPV 2), to distinguish it from another Parvovirus (CPV 1) found in dog faeces, without pathological significance. The virus is very resistant in the environment (up to 1 year) and to the action of detergents and disinfectants.
The virus is excreted in the faeces and multiplies in the digestive tract and bone marrow. It enters into the body orally, and after an incubation period of 3-8 days, the virus multiplies in the oropharyngeal lymphatic tissues, and then spreads to all tissues by haematogenous way. Then, the virus localizes in the lymphohaemopoietic tissues of the bone marrow and to the lymphoid tissues of the jejunum and ileum, where it causes neutropenia, lymphopenia, destruction of the intestinal villi with necrosis of the epithelium and hemorrhagic diarrhoea. As a result of immunosuppression, infected animals have frequent secondary bacterial infections (from Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and clostridia) which aggravate the pathogenetic picture. From the 3rd day post-infection the animal becomes a virus eliminator.
Infection can occur by direct contact with the faeces of infected dogs or indirectly through exposure to the environment or to contaminated objects, such as litter boxes or bowls.
Parvoviral infection can affect dogs of any age, although most cases occur in young puppies between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated animals have a considerably higher risk of developing parvo.
Some breeds are reported to be predisposed to canine parvovirus infection, such as Dobermann Pinscher, Rottweiler, English Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier and Dachshund. These breeds, once infected, also tend to develop more severe symptoms.
Toy Poodle and Cocker Spaniel seem to present a reduced risk of canine parvovirus infection. Even puppies whose mothers have been regularly vaccinated are less frequently and severely affected by parvovirus. This is because vaccination from the mother increases the levels of maternal antibodies circulating in young puppies. Canine parvovirus is present worldwide. The first cases of canine parvovirus supported by CPV were observed in 1978 in America. The disease spread rapidly throughout the world, affecting wild canids and domestic dogs, soon becoming an endemic disease.
The course of parvo is variable from subject to subject even within the same litter. There are basically two clinical forms: one gastrointestinal (of variable severity) and one cardiac; however, a sub-clinical form is also recognized.
Gastrointestinal form:
After a short incubation period, the following appears:
- vomiting and diarrhoea with blood
- anorexia
- depression of the sensory
- dehydration rapidly sets in and, sometimes, even mild hyperthermia
- leukopenia (<3000 cells / mm3) with marked lymphopenia.
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The course is variable and a slow recovery or a worsening of the general conditions with death of the affected subjects can be observed.
Heart shape:
Clinical evolution is rapid and 2-4 weeks old subjects die with the signs of acute myocarditis.
Subclinical form:
It is perhaps the relatively most frequent form, characterized by:
- mild sensory depression
- anorexia
- mild diarrhoea
- modest leukopenia / lymphopenia.
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The development of the sub-clinical form, sometimes asymptomatic, is closely correlated with the degree of immunity of the animal at the time of infection. Obviously, this is a partial immunity that does not prevent the replication and excretion of the virus. This clinical form takes on a different epidemiological importance depending on the type of life of the animal. In a puppy living in a family environment, the infection will have a limited epidemiological impact; on the contrary, the same situation projected inside a breeding / kennel takes on a completely different implication, as the infected animal eliminates the virus with the faeces and can transmit the infection to other subjects.
