Manejo del paciente canino con parvovirosis

Résumé

Canine parvovirus continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed aetiological agents of gastroenterocolitis in dogs, affecting patients of all ages. The emergence of new strains, spread worldwide, demonstrates a constant evolution of the virus, causing clinical symptoms in animals with a complete vaccination schedule. Although the typical symptomatology includes digestive signs, severe leucopenia and lesions in the intestinal wall favour bacterial translocation and the possible occurrence of septic shock and death of the patient. Although definitive diagnosis requires complex laboratory techniques such as PCR, considered the gold standard, the tests used in house, as rapid immunochromatography or ELISA, have a high specificity, with a variable sensitivity depending on the test. Other complementary tests, such as complete blood analysis and certain biomarkers, will be used as a prognostic indicator, helping to establish a more effective and individualised treatment. Although outpatient treatment has been described, fluid therapy and nutrition will be the mainstay, so these patients will require intensive hospitalization. Antibiotic treatment has been widely discussed, with protocols varying widely depending on the literature. New treatments, such as faecal transplantation, probiotics or antioxidants require more complete studies to determine their efficacy in reducing hospitalization time and increasing survival. This article reviews the main characteristics of the disease and the latest advances in its treatment.