Parvovirus is a highly contagious and dangerous virus that is spread through the feces of infected dogs. It primarily affects puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs, causing severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Without timely intervention, it can be fatal.
Despite having an effective vaccine to prevent parvovirus, many puppies and dogs in our area have not been vaccinated or have not received a full course of vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to this potentially deadly virus. Parvovirus remains a significant threat to animals both locally and across the country.
Introducing Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA)
Until recently, the only way to treat parvovirus was through supportive care, which included fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, and other symptomatic treatments. While these treatments could improve the dog’s condition, there was no direct cure for the virus, and sadly, some animals still passed away despite our best efforts.
That’s where Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) comes in. Developed by Elanco, CPMA is the first and only treatment specifically targeting parvovirus. This groundbreaking treatment works by binding to the parvovirus particles in the dog’s body and preventing the virus from entering and damaging the cells that line the intestines.
How CPMA Works
CPMA is administered as a one-time IV injection. Studies have shown that puppies treated with CPMA showed remarkable improvements:
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No puppies died from parvovirus when treated with CPMA, even without any additional treatment.
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Vomiting and diarrhea stopped several days sooner than in puppies treated with only supportive care.
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Treated puppies started eating on their own sooner and were able to leave the hospital faster, making them ready for adoption more quickly.
Why CPMA is a Game-Changer for Anderson Humane
We’re thrilled to be able to offer CPMA to any of our puppies and dogs that test positive for parvovirus. While we still provide essential supportive care like fluids and anti-nausea medications, CPMA is drastically improving our ability to save lives.
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Shorter treatment times: We spend less time administering multiple treatments, so animals recover faster.
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Cost savings: Decreased treatment times and reduced hospital stays save us money, which we can then redirect into helping more animals.
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Lower stress on staff: Parvovirus treatment can be exhausting and emotionally taxing for our team, but CPMA helps reduce the strain and increases the chance for a positive outcome.
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Saving lives: Most importantly, CPMA is saving lives, giving our animals a much better chance at survival.
How You Can Help
Did you know that Anderson Humane offers low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter services for the community? By supporting our mission, you’re helping us provide essential care to animals in need, including life-saving treatments like CPMA.
Learn more about our veterinary care services and how you can help support these lifesaving efforts: https://ahconnects.org/veterinary-care
Together, we can make a difference — one puppy, one dog, and one life saved at a time. Thank you for your continued support!