What is the Difference Between Distemper and Parvovirus

The key difference between distemper and parvovirus is that distemper is a virus that specifically affects the respiratory tract of dogs, while parvovirus is a virus that specifically affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.

Distemper and parvovirus are the two most common viruses that cause systematic viral diseases affecting dogs. Both are incredibly contagious and have the potential to become life-threatening without medical attention. Although both viral diseases are fatal, the parvoviral disease spreads a lot easier and is so much more challenging to get rid of. The parvoviral disease is more severe because of its extraordinary resistance to common household disinfectants and the ability to survive for long as a year outside its host.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Distemper 
3. What is Parvovirus
4. Similarities – Distemper and Parvovirus
5. Distemper vs Parvovirus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Distemper vs Parvovirus

What is Distemper?

Distemper is a virus that specifically affects the respiratory tract of dogs. Similar to parvovirus, canine distemper virus also affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. In addition, it can affect the urogenital and nervous system as it progresses. Distemper virus mainly multiplies in the tonsils and lymph nodes of the host. Canine distemper causes various signs and symptoms, including purulent discharge, clear nasal discharge, fever, coughing, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, muscle tics or twitching, tremors, head tilts, circling, seizures, partial or full body paralysis, increased salivation, or behavioural changes.

A dog that has this virus can also infect others through bodily fluids, secretions, coughing, and sneezing. But unlike parvovirus, the canine distemper virus does not last long outside of a host. This is because this virus can be destroyed by regular household disinfectants. Furthermore, infected dogs are typically treated by giving supportive care, which involves a series of medications (antibiotics like amoxicillin, ampicillin, and anti-seizure medications like diazepam) and intravenous fluid therapy that control the symptoms. The disease can be prevented by giving vaccines to puppies at the age of 6 to 8 weeks.

What is Parvovirus?

Parvovirus is a virus that specifically affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Puppies under four months and unvaccinated dogs are infected by parvovirus. The symptoms of parvovirus infection generally include weakness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, mild to severe diarrhea with or without blood, loss of appetite, depression, or fever. Dogs may also become dehydrated due to constant vomiting and diarrhea. Parvovirus continues to replicate in the small intestine, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues of dogs.

The transmission of parvovirus to dogs is through casual contact. The infected dogs’ shed containing viruses such as bodily fluids and secretion (mucus, saliva, vomit, urine, and feces) can be picked up by healthy dogs. Dogs can also be infected by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces or objects like floors, toys, dog bowls, and kennel beds. Furthermore, treatments for parvovirus include intravenous fluid, anti-sickness medications, painkillers, plasma transfusions, antibiotics for secondary infections, and tube feeding.

What are the Similarities Between Distemper and Parvovirus?

• Distemper and parvovirus are the two most common viruses that cause systematic viral diseases affecting the families of dogs.
• Both viruses are incredibly contagious.
• These viruses have the potential to become life-threatening without medical attention.
• They are fatal.
• There are no specific medications for infections caused by these viruses.

What is the Difference Between Distemper and Parvovirus?

Distemper is a virus that specifically affects the respiratory tract of dogs, while parvovirus is a virus that specifically affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Thus, this is the key difference between distemper and parvovirus. Furthermore, distemper mainly replicates in the tonsils and lymph nodes of dogs, while parvovirus mainly replicates in the small intestine, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues of dogs.

The below infographic presents the differences between distemper and parvovirus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Distemper vs Parvovirus

Distemper and parvovirus are the two most common viruses that cause systematic viral diseases in dogs. They are incredibly contagious. Though both viral diseases are fatal, the parvoviral disease spreads a lot easier and is so much more challenging to get rid of. Distemper specifically affects the respiratory tract of dogs. On the other hand, parvovirus specifically affects the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. So, this summarizes the difference between distemper and parvovirus.

Reference:

1. Burke, Anna. “Distemper in Dogs – Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 6 Mar. 2022.
2. “Everything You Need to Know about Parvo in Dogs.” PetMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Canine Distemper Virus Cytoplasmic Inclusion Body (Blood smear, Wright’s stain)” By Lance Wheeler – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Parvovirus infection – cropped 1 – very high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia