Nursing the patient with parvovirus

ABSTRACT

Parvovirus is a debilitating, life-threatening disease, which affects the canine population. Promptly instituted intensive treatment and nursing protocols are the key to increasing survival rates. Supportive care and nursing is possibly the most important aspect in the overall management of the parvovirus patient. This article discusses the essential aspects of nursing the parvovirus patient in relation to the overall therapeutic plan, including prevention of the spread of the disease.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to South Coast Staffie Rescue for contributing the patient photographs.

Multiple Choice Questions

1.	How many variants of canine parvovirus are currently circulating within the UK? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3
2.	How long can it take before detectable levels of parvovirus are present in the faeces? (a) 4 hours (b) 24 hours (c) 48 hours
3.	How long is the virus initially shed in the faeces post infection and can be detected by faecal testing? (a) 1-7 days (b) 2-7 days (c) 7-14 days
4.	Which two biochemical parameters need to be closely monitored during rehydration? (a) Potassium and glucose (b) Sodium and glucose (c) Potassium and sodium
5.	Which of the following therapeutic options is contra-indicated in parvovirus? (a) Anti-emetics (b) Anti-diarrhoeal agents (c) Interferon
6.	By what factor does recombinant feline interferon omega (Virbagen Omega®, Virbac) reduce mortality in parvovirus? (a) 3 fold (b) 4.4 fold (c) 6.4 fold
7.	Which of the following nutrients is especially important for enterocyte health? (a) Glutamine (b) Taurine (c) Glucose
8.	How long after recovery from clinical disease can parvovirus be intermittently shed for in the faeces? (a) 2 weeks (b) 4 weeks (c) 6 weeks

For the answers to the MCQs, please go to: http://www.bvna.org.uk/publications/veterinary-nursing-journal

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Blaise Scott-Morris

Blaise qualified from Bristol in 2011. For 3½ years she worked in small animal practice for both independent and corporate practices, where she developed a keen interest in client communication and practice profitability. In October 2014, Blaise joined Virbac as a Veterinary Advisor, providing technical support and training, both internally and externally, and participating in pharmacovigilance.

Dawn Walker

Dawn joined Grove Veterinary Centre in 2003 and completed her training as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in August 2006. In 2011, she assumed additional responsibilities for insurance claims, a role that involves both helping with client queries, and acting as an intermediary between the client and insurance company. She has four Staffordshire Bull Terriers: Flash who is 13, Balboa, 4 and Apollo and Zeus who she hand-reared from just 7 days old, and are now 3½ years old.