Parvo and Your Dog

You may have heard of parvo before, but do you really know what it is?

Parvo (also known as parvovirus) is a deadly virus that strikes dogs (mostly puppies), primarily during the summer months. The disease was not recognized prior to the 1970s, but since then veterinary hospitals across the country have become all too familiar with this terrible condition.

The good news is, parvovirus in dogs is completely preventable. However, in order to protect your pet, it is essential to understand what parvo is and where it comes from.

What Parvo Does

When an animal is infected with parvo, the virus invades the bone marrow where the cells that fight infection are produced. This causes the body to be unable to fight off the infection effectively. The virus also invades cells in the intestine and causing severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, which leads to dehydration and eventual shock. The damage to the intestines also allows bacteria and other toxins in the intestines to “leak” into the bloodstream.

Symptoms of parvo include:

• Depression
• Anorexia
• Diarrhea (often bloody)
• Vomiting
• An initial fever, then low body temperature
• Death

The disease progresses very rapidly, and without treatment most pets will die. With early, aggressive supportive veterinary care some animals do survive parvo, although it is often the exception to the rule. Older animals and those that have been at least partially vaccinated tend to have a slightly better prognosis.

Where Parvo Comes From

Parvovirus is very hardy in the environment and can live close to a year in infected soil. It is shed in the stools and vomit of sick pets, and so anywhere a sick dog may have been is a potential source of contamination, which is why it’s so important to have pets, especially puppies, vaccinated before going anywhere they may encounter the feces of other animals. The virus enters the body through the mouth and begins to spread throughout the body.

Areas with high concentrations of dogs, such as dog parks or pet stores, are the highest risk for parvo. However, the virus may be spread to other locations through the sole of a shoe, a bike tire, or other similar methods of transport. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that  any outdoor public place is a risk for an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dog.

How to Prevent Parvovirus in Your Dog

Luckily, this devastating disease is almost entirely preventable. Dogs can be protected against parvo by:

• Keeping them up to date on vaccines. Your dog’s “distemper” vaccine contains a vaccine for parvovirus
• Complete your dog’s puppy booster series as recommended to ensure adequate protection
• Use caution when taking an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated dog into areas that have an unknown disinfection history
• Bleach areas where dogs exposed to or with parvovirus infection have been – this area is not considered safe for unvaccinated pets for up to one year

While many species have their own parvovirus, in veterinary medicine when someone says parvo they are most likely referring to the one that affects dogs. Parvo is not contagious between species, but it is extremely contagious to other dogs. Because there is no way to eradicate its presence in an outdoor environment, spring and summer are common times for our hospital to see the disease as our dog patients head outdoors.

If you are not sure if your dog is up to date on its parvo and other vaccines, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to give us a call. Remember the most effective treatment is prevention.