Parvovirus is one of the most common causes of illness and mortality in dogs worldwide. It is a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease that prevents cells of the intestinal lining from absorbing nutrients, retaining fluids, and fighting bacterial infections (1). It also will target bone marrow, destroy immune cells, and invade heart cells.
While vaccination is highly recommended and can help prevent parvo from happening, there have been no treatment options for dogs that become infected … until now!
Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) is the first USDA-conditionally approved, one-dose treatment option for parvovirus in dogs 8 weeks of age and older.
CPMA is a synthetic antibody that mimics a dog’s own antibodies, binding to canine parvovirus and neutralizing it before it can enter the cell, delivering a high level of defense (2). CPMA demonstrated 100% efficacy in prevention of mortality when administered as a sole therapy at the first positive test (1). Additionally, CPMA-treated dogs had faster times to resolution of vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Lastly, CPMA was well tolerated in dogs that received the treatment. When a reaction occurred, it was relatively mild and most symptoms resolved within one day.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s help these puppies fight this nasty bug!
References
- Mazzaferro EM. Update on canine parvoviral enteritis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020;50(6):1307-25. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.07.008
- Nelson CDS, Palermo LM, Hafenstein SL, Parrish CR. Different mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization of parvoviruses revealed using the Fab fragments of monoclonal antibodies. Virology. 2007;361(2):283-93. doi:10.1016/j.virol.2006.11.032
- Elanco Animal Health. Data on file through company
By Dr. Sarah Lira, PharmD, pharmacy resident
