Canine parvovirus: An evolutionary and clinical approach

Abstract

Canine parvovirus is caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and is a worldwide known disease in dog medicine as it is highly contagious, characterized mainly by episodes of hematochezia, vomiting and dehydration. In Brazil, thousands of animals are infected every year, with the oronasal route being the main route of entry. The mortality rate is relatively high because the disease has only symptomatic treatment and the animals reach the outpatient clinic at a critical stage. Vaccination is known to drastically reduce the incidence of the disease, but the evolution of the virus still raises questions about the effectiveness of some vaccines as some animals, even vaccinated, eventually develop the disease. This review addresses aspects related to canine parvovirus, such as its history, risk groups, sources of infection, clinical signs, vaccination, epidemiological data, treatment, and diagnostic methods.