Parvovirus - A Constant Threat

Twenty years since the first outbreak of parvovirus, NOAH has produced two briefing documents for pet owners reinforcing the continuing importance of adequate vaccination.

"Notwithstanding the controversy about vaccines in the dog press and on the television, we must continue to get the message across that vaccination is necessary and that vaccines provide very effective protection against infectious diseases," says Hal Thompson, a leading vaccine expert at the Glasgow University Veterinary School.

Hal Thompson vividly remembers the first cases of canine parvovirus (CPV) he saw when working as a pathologist in the autumn of 1978.

He says, "I was presented with an unusual syndrome of young puppies that were dropping dead. With the help of the Veterinary Record and the pet press it was soon apparent these weren’t isolated cases."

Following examination of the lungs and hearts, he identified myocarditis.

"There were occlusion bodies in the heart muscle and that means viruses. We began seeing cases of enteritis two to three months later. By the following spring, we were receiving 100’s of samples of diarrhoeic faeces at the laboratory."

"1979 was the year the disease worked its way through the specialist dog world. The epidemic followed a year later."

"After the surge of the disease, the infection has settled down into a pattern that you would expect of any infectious disease. There is always a susceptible generation of puppies which loses maternal antibodies and has to run the gauntlet between infection and vaccination."

"At some time during an average year establishments with large numbers of puppies will have parvovirus, just as in cat rescue centres, feline enteritis is going to be there in the kittens," says Hal Thompson.

Twenty years on, the myocarditis manifestation of CPV is virtually extinct and only under exceptional circumstances would puppies now develop this form.

Hal Thompson constantly reviews the activities of vaccine manufacturers. He says; "I’ve been critical of them all in the past - I think that is part of my function. There’s no doubt that the first vaccines weren’t as good, but the current vaccines have the best possible combination of virus titre and passage level and are very effective."

One situation which concerns Hal Thompson is where homeopathic nosodes are used.

He says; "These particular products don’t produce antibody to parvovirus, or antibodies to distemper or adenovirus for that matter."

The two NOAH briefing documents cover commonly asked questions such as why booster vaccines are necessary, what ‘live’ vaccines are and do vaccines affect different breeds in different ways.

22 September 1999

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.

2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 34 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 1998 NOAH's members accounted for around 95% of the £384 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.

3. Copies of 'Briefing Document No. 10 Vaccination of Companion Animals' and 'Briefing Document No. 12 Dog Vaccines: Your Questions Answered' are available from the NOAH office, 3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7HF (Tel: 020 8367 3131)

4. The full interview of Dr Hal Thompson BVMS, PhD, MRCVS by Chris Taylor BVSc, MRCVS appeared in Veterinary Times, Volume 29, Number 9, September 1999.