Parvovirus in dogs

20/08/2022

What is parvovirus?
The virus attacks cells in a dog’s intestines and stops them from being able to absorb vital nutrients. This means that a dog or puppy will become very weak and dehydrated.
It is also known as canine parvovirus, or CPV.
How do you know if your dog has parvovirus?
Symptoms of parvo include foul-smelling diarrhoea with blood in it, vomiting, loss of appetite, collapse, depression, fever and sudden death.
Who is at risk?
Young puppies and unvaccinated dogs, including those who have not had their booster injections, are most at risk from becoming victims of parvo.
Puppies go downhill very quickly because the symptoms caused by parvovirus make them very weak, and mean their immune systems have to work very hard to fight the disease. Youngsters between six weeks and six months old are also more susceptible to secondary infections, or they may die from dehydration.

Parvo outbreaks are most commonly seen in towns and cities with a large population of unvaccinated dogs.
Is parvovirus contagious to other dogs?
Yes. Parvo is highly contagious to other dogs and spreads very easily around dogs and puppies that aren’t up to date with their vaccinations.
It takes up to seven days for a dog to show signs of having parvovirus after they have caught it.
Parvovirus spreads through body fluids, including in a dog’s poo and vomit. It is extremely hardy and can survive in the environment outside the body – for example in the grass at a park – for at least six months, and possibly much longer. Your dog can even contract parvo by sniffing another dog’s poo and it’s not uncommon for dogs to catch parvo when out for a walk.
If your dog has come into contact with bedding, food and water bowls, carpet, or a kennel that a dog with parvovirus has touched, they can catch the virus. Parvo can also be spread on shoes, clothing and human hands.

It is really important to protect your dog against this horrible disease by vaccinating them.
How can I prevent my dog catching this disease?
Dogs and puppies can be vaccinated against parvovirus from the age of six weeks.
A puppy should have their first vaccine at six to eight weeks old. They will then need a second vaccine two weeks later. After that, they will need a booster vaccine at one year old.
After this, dogs need a booster vaccination yearly or less often, as advised by your vet. This is all that is needed to prevent your dog catching this fatal disease.
Vaccination for parvovirus is routine and is one of the three main diseases that dogs are normally vaccinated against. Your dog should be given a vaccination card with the date of the jab and the date the next shot is due. This will be signed by your vet or registered veterinary nurse (RVN).
Boosters are important for dogs to keep up to date with, but the time between these varies so check with your vet to see how often your dog should be vaccinated.
Parvo and puppies
If you are getting a puppy from a breeder or rescue centre, do not take them home without making sure they have had at least their first vaccination against parvo first. Ask for proof (a vaccination card signed by a vet or vet nurse) that they have been vaccinated and confirmation of when the next jab is due.
We also recommend phoning the vet who has vaccinated them to make sure it has been done as, sadly, at Blue Cross we are treating increasing numbers of puppies that have been bought from sellers who have stated the pup has been vaccinated when they clearly have not been. Devastatingly for the owners and our vets and nurses, some of these puppies have not survived, despite round the clock care.
What should I do if I suspect my dog has parvo?
If you recognise the symptoms above in your own dog, call your veterinary practice immediately for advice. Make sure to tell them what symptoms your dog or puppy has, and whether or not they’ve come into contact with a dog with confirmed parvovirus.
Most deaths from parvo happen within 48 to 72 hours after the symptoms begin. The quicker you seek help, the greater your pet’s chances of survival.
Keep your dog away from other dogs as it spreads easily. Tell your vet if you also have other dogs in your household as they can give advice on how to stop it spreading around all your pets.
Don’t forget that any cases of severe gastroenteritis should be taken seriously; even if parvovirus is not the cause, contact your vet if your dog has diarrhoea or any of the other symptoms listed above.
My dog has parvovirus. What treatment is available?
There are no drugs in existence that can kill the virus.
Instead, treatment for parvo is designed to support a dog’s immune system and help their body become strong enough to fight off the disease.
Dogs and puppies with parvovirus need to be treated at a vet’s and are likely to need hospitalisation. They will be put on a drip and given intravenous fluids to stop them from becoming dehydrated. They may also be given drugs to help control vomiting, which also helps to prevent dehydration.
If a dog with parvo has caught a secondary infection as a result of a weakened immune system, they may be given antibiotics.
Dogs and puppies with parvo must be put in isolation and kept well away from other animals. Vets and nurses will wear special clothes and shoes when treating them which can be removed and sanitised to prevent the disease spreading to other patients at the veterinary surgery or hospital.
The average hospital stay for a dog recovering from parvo is five to seven days. Unfortunately, puppies are often not strong enough to survive the toll the disease takes on their young bodies and many will die.
Treatment for parvo is also very expensive because your dog will need several days’ stay in intensive care. Costs for round the clock nursing and veterinary care, medicines and fluids tot up. Bills can easily run into the hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Vaccination prices are much, much cheaper (around £30 to £70 at a private vet practice) not to mention the emotional costs of having an extremely sick dog who is likely to die.
Can humans catch parvovirus from dogs?
Humans cannot get parvovirus from their dogs, however they can pass parvo from one dog to another on their clothes, shoes or hands.
Humans can contract a human version of parvovirus, but this is a different strain from the one that affects dogs. Humans cannot pass the human type of parvo to a dog either.

03/04/2022

https://fb.watch/c9qkhz2y3w/

04/02/2022

26/01/2022

Canine parvovirus (CPV) first made its unwelcome appearance in the late 1970’s and since then has continued to evolve, with CPV 2a, 2b and 2c gradually replacing earlier strains. As an un-enveloped, single stranded DNA virus, CPV is capable of persisting in the environment for months or even years. Unless vaccination is nearly ubiquitous in the surrounding community, periodic introduction into the shelter is inevitable. Because shedding can occur briefly in asymptomatic or pre-clinical animals, environmental contamination may go unrecognized. Disinfection, vaccination and housing practices must address this constant threat.

However, there is also some good news: although parvoviruses continue to evolve, they tend to be antigenically stable, and vaccination appears to confer reliable protection even against newer strains. In-house tests are reasonably reliable and readily available, thus recognition of CPV does not pose the diagnostic dilemma presented by some other conditions. The incubation period is well defined and relatively short (3-4 days but can be as long as 14), making quarantine of exposed animals a realistic possibility. Antibody titers can be used to assess risk in clinically healthy dogs, allowing further refinement of quarantine decisions.

Although parvovirus will always pose a risk for most shelters, the rate of infection can be greatly reduced by appropriate vaccination; quick recognition; appropriate segregation of diseased/exposed animals; and careful cleaning and disinfection.

Who can be infected?
While puppies are most likely to suffer severe disease and death, any unvaccinated dog, of any age, can become infected with CPV. Some breeds have been reported to be more susceptible to this infection (e.g. “black and tan” breeds). However, these breed tendencies likely evolve and change over time as a result of natural selection against susceptible lineages, and no one breed should be assumed to be more or less susceptible than another (nor is there any indication for a differing vaccination schedule in a particular breed). The apparent frequency of CPV infection in some breeds or mixes in shelters (e.g., anecdotally, pit bulls) more likely reflects a lower frequency of vaccination and greater exposure rather than a true genetic risk.

Some strains of CPV currently circulating in the U.S. can infect domestic cats as well as dogs. Infection with canine parvovirus can causes severe disease and death in cats, just as feline panleukopenia does. Alternately, it may cause in-apparent infection and establishment of a carrier state. Such cats would be a threat to in-contact dogs. Housing dogs and cats separately in shelters is extremely important for many reasons and especially never co-house CPV infected dogs with cats, particularly kittens or unvaccinated adults. Modified live vaccination for feline panleukopenia provides cross protection against CPV infection in cats.

Vaccination
Vaccination is the cornerstone of parvovirus prevention in shelters and communities. In the absence of maternal antibody interference, a single modified live vaccine can confer protection within 3-5 days[1]. Research to date has found that currently available vaccines protect against all known strains of parvovirus, including parvovirus 2c[2, 3]. All dogs and puppies > 4 weeks of age should be vaccinated at the time of shelter admission (or ideally, at least a week before), including those who are injured or mildly ill.(In shelters where parvo is extremely rare, vaccination may be started at 6 weeks instead of 4 weeks.) . Revaccinate puppies every two weeks until 18-20 weeks of age[4] as long as they remain in the shelter, and consider revaccinating adult dogs at least once 2 weeks after the first vaccine or after adoption.

For pregnant dogs, the risk of parvovirus infection must be balanced against the risk of vaccine-induced abortion. If the decision is made not to vaccinate a pregnant dog, titers should ideally be performed to evaluate susceptibility to infection (see below) and these dogs must be carefully mechanically isolated unless confirmed to have an adequate titer. Because maternal antibody can interfere with vaccination in puppies under 16 weeks, they also need to be mechanically protected from exposure by ensuring that they are housed in easily cleaned and disinfected areas; handled and cared for by people with clean hands, shoes, and clothes; and ideally, removed from the shelter to foster care, adoption or rescue as quickly as possible.

CPV enters and spread in shelters from dogs infected in the surrounding community. A cost effective and humane strategy for long term control is to ensure that community members have ready access to affordable vaccines for their pets.

Recognition and Diagnosis
Diagnosis of CPV is fortunately reasonably straightforward in most cases. While not perfect, in-house f***l ELISA tests are reportedly quite specific and sensitive even for recently emerged strains. A recent study found that the Idexx SNAP test detected 80%, 78% and 77% of parvovirus 2a, 2b, and 2c respectively[5]. As with any test, false results are possible. Negative results will occur later in the course of disease when virus is bound by antibody or no longer being shed. This should not be interpreted to contradict earlier positive results. Weak false positives may also reportedly occur due to recent vaccination. However, this is likely uncommon, particularly with the Idexx brand SNAP test[6, 7]. In general, positive results should be taken seriously even in recently vaccinated dogs.

Of course, in all cases, history, signalment and clinical signs should be considered along with test results. With much at stake, confirmatory diagnostic testing should be performed, especially if the result does not fit the rest of the clinical picture. Other accessible in-shelter diagnostic tools include blood smear/CBC looking for leukopenia and, if a dog dies or is euthanized, in-house necropsy for characteristic segmental enteritis.

F***l samples can be submitted to a laboratory for PCR with rapid turn-around time; this method is sensitive to detect CPV infection but also more likely to detect vaccine virus in recently vaccinated dogs. PCR analysis is the only method to distinguish between the various strains of parvovirus; however, this has minimal clinical relevance as the approach to prevention and treatment is identical regardless of strain. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry on a necropsy specimen is the gold standard for diagnosis, and should be performed in atypical outbreaks if any dog dies or is euthanized (e.g. apparent infections in well-vaccinated animals; persistent outbreak in the face of good control measures).

In general, testing should be reserved for dogs with clinical signs or recently exposed/high risk dogs. Because viral shedding can occur a few days before clinical signs appear, it can be helpful to test very high risk puppies even if they are showing no overt signs of infection, for instance unthrifty looking puppies from known high risk locations in a community. However, routine CPV testing in healthy appearing dogs or puppies is costly, ineffective for controlling parvovirus in a shelter (as animals may test negative, then begin shedding hours or days later), and likely to result in an increased rate of false positive results.

Although diagnostic tests are quite effective to confirm or rule out CPV infection, this must go hand in hand with daily or more frequent monitoring of the population. If an unthrifty animal goes undetected for hours or days, the opportunity for spread is hugely magnified. Teach all staff and volunteers to be alert for dogs with signs of illness and provide clear instructions for what to do should CPV be suspected. Train staff in correct use and interpretation of diagnostic tests and perform formal daily medical rounds during which the health of all dogs in the shelter is evaluated.

Risk assessment: how do you decide how much to worry about exposed animals?
When one animal from a population is diagnosed with CPV, the question arises: what do you do about others in the environment? Are they all likely to get sick? Will widespread quarantine or depopulation be necessary? Or is it okay to simply carry on business as usual, or somewhere in between? The answers to these questions are dependent on several factors.

Not all exposed dogs will become infected. Due to varying levels of maternal antibody, it is not even uncommon for only some members of a litter to develop disease. The risk of infection depends on the animal’s individual immune and vaccination status, the overall cleanliness of the environment and the level of proximity between the exposed and infected animal. The most important factor in disease risk is vaccination: a “fully” vaccinated animal (i.e. vaccinated eight days prior to exposure – 5 days for vaccine to be fully effective and 3 days of shedding prior to clinical signs) over five months old is at very low risk of infection. However, even incompletely vaccinated animals may survive a possible exposure.

Risk due to environmental spread is reduced if:

The facility is not crowded
Dogs are housed singly or in stable pairs/groups
Dogs are not handled or removed from their run during cleaning (e.g. double sided kennels used correctly)
Animal housing areas are steel, sealed concrete, or other non-porous, non-scratched surface and can be effectively cleaned and disinfected
A proven parvocidal disinfect is used daily to disinfect all animal housing areas, including transport vehicles, exam surfaces and common rooms
Separate tools and equipment are used for each area of the shelter
Animals are handled with hand washing or change of gloves between individuals
Clinical signs appeared within a few days of shelter intake (and therefore the animal was more likely exposed in the community versus in the shelter)
Risk due to animal immune status is reduced if:

All animals are vaccinated immediately upon intake
Risk is very low in animals > 4-5 months old that are either:
Vaccinated with an MLV SC (sub-cutaneous) vaccine at least one week prior to exposure
Have a documented history of vaccination at or after 18-20 weeks of age and within three years prior to exposure
Risk is greater in puppies under 5 months old even if vaccinated (due to maternal antibody interference)
Risk is greater in animals vaccinated less than a week before exposure
Risk is greatest in closely exposed, unvaccinated or titer negative animals
To help with thinking about and planning for a CPV outbreak, which is nice to be able to do when not actually faced with a case of CPV, we developed the CPV Outbreak Simulator and guide. This resource allows you to work through a real life outbreak scenario numerous times until you feel confident in your risk assessment skills. It also lets you get a sense for the shortcomings of risk analysis – every once in a while, in the simulator as in life, you will do everything right and an infected animal will slip past your radar. However, you can also clearly see how many more lives are saved through careful risk assessment than either depopulation or failure to respond at all. For more information, view the CPV outbreak simulator.

Serology to assess individual dog risk
Serology is a very useful tool to further clarify the need for quarantine of individual dogs[8, 9]. In-house serology tests can be used and have the advantage of more rapid turn-around time as compared to sending out blood samples, often within minutes.

Note about who to test: tests should only be used on dogs without clinical signs of disease. Healthy adult dogs (> five months old) vaccinated at least eight days prior to exposure (i.e. the day that the dog with CPV had clinical signs) can be considered low risk and titer testing is not usually necessary.

26/01/2022

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. Watch to learn more from Megan Brashear, CVT, VTS (ECC), as she presents a case of a puppy with Parvovirus and explains the symptoms, concerns, and treatment of this highly contagious virus.

26/01/2022

How do dogs contract parvovirus?
Parvovirus is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, and most commonly, through faecal matter from an infected dog contaminating the environment. As it is passed through faeces it makes it hard to prevent your pet from coming in contact with it. This is especially so when going on walks where they are able to sniff other dog's matter, accidentally walk through it, or even from walking on ground that was previously contaminated.

Extremely resilient, parvovirus can survive in the environment for up to nine years, including the ground and soil. It can also withstand most household cleaning products (bleach is an exception), heat, cold and humidity, all of which makes the spread of the virus is hard to control. This means it's easily transferred to your pooches paws and to your shoes, which can then be tracked into new locations and even transferred to bedding, clothing, food bowls, and carpets.

26/01/2022

Parvovirus is a highly infectious virus, that even the mention of the name rattles most pet owners. The last thing any new puppy parent wants to hear is their furry friend has parvovirus. An extremely contagious and potentially deadly disease, it is unfortunately all too common. Here's everything you need to know about this life-threatening disease, including what it is, the symptoms and how to prevent it in your pup.

What is canine parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus, otherwise known as parvo, is still considered a new disease. It emerged in Europe in 1976, and by 1978 it had spread worldwide. Parvo is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily attacks tissues with rapidly dividing cells in dogs. It isn't just found in dogs, it is now known to infect wild animals like wolves, foxes and raccoons.

It can take one of two forms, cardiovascular or a gastrointestinal form. In its more common gastrointestinal form, it attacks the building blocks of the intestinal tract, leading to almost a complete loss of nutrient or liquid absorption. It also attacks the bone marrow which means not enough white blood cells are able to be produced to fight off infections, increasing the risk of anemia and sepsis. Less common is the cardiovascular form which attacks the heart muscles. Those who survive are often left with lifelong cardiac problems.

Parvovirus is typically thought of as a puppy illness. Puppies between six weeks to six months old, especially those unvaccinated, are highly susceptible to contracting the virus. Puppies under six weeks of age are protected from the virus as they retain some of the antibodies from their mother's milk. However, older dogs are able to contract the disease.

02/12/2021

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo." The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated f***s (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of f***s from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects.

Tank, a parvovirus survivor.
Tank, a parvovirus survivor.
Signs of parvovirus
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.

If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Diagnosis and treatment
Parvovirus infection is often suspected based on the dog's history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. F***l testing can confirm the diagnosis.

No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs, and treatment is intended to support the dog's body systems until the dog's immune system can fight off the viral infection. Treatment should be started immediately and consists primarily of intensive care efforts to combat dehydration by replacing electrolyte, protein and fluid losses, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, and preventing secondary infections. Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care. When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes. With proper treatment, survival rates can approach 90%.

Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection. Proper cleaning and disinfection of contaminated kennels and other areas where infected dogs are (or have been) housed is essential to control the spread of parvovirus. The virus is not easily killed, so consult your veterinarian for specific guidance on cleaning and disinfecting agents.

Preventing parvovirus
Vaccination and good hygiene are critical components of prevention.

Young puppies are very susceptible to infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers' milk may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine parvovirus during this gap in protection, it may become ill. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother's milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally be infected by parvovirus and develop disease. To reduce gaps in protection and provide the best protection against parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered. Puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.

To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. There are titers available that measure the dog's level of antibodies against the canine parvovirus, but the antibody level may not directly translate to protection if the dog is exposed to the virus. Ask your veterinarian about a recommended prevention program for your dog.

Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners should use caution when bringing their pet to places where young puppies congregate (e.g. pet shops, parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy daycare, kennels, and grooming establishments). Reputable establishments and training programs reduce exposure risk by requiring vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of ill puppies and dogs. Contact with known infected dogs and their premises should always be avoided.

In spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs do not develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection.

Finally, do not let your puppy or adult dog to come into contact with the f***l waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. Prompt and proper disposal of waste material is always advisable as a way to limit spread of canine parvovirus infection as well as other diseases that can infect humans and animals.

Dogs with vomiting or diarrhea or other dogs which have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so.

02/12/2021

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. What about parvo treatment for dogs and parvo symptoms in dogs and puppies, or signs of parvo in dogs? Most dogs with parvo are treated with fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, and antibiotics. Watch to learn more about the symptoms and causes of this disease.

07/08/2021

CPV-1
Canine parvovirus type 1 (CPV-1) is also referred to as minute viruses of canines and was initially reported in military dogs with diarrhea. This virus is antigenically distinct from CPV-2 and is more closely related genetically to bovine parvovirus.

CPV-1 is usually a subclinical infection in dogs but may cause enteritis, pneumonitis, myocarditis, and lymphadenitis in puppies aged between 5 and 21 days. Most pups have mild symptoms, but those that worsen may be classified as having fading puppy syndrome. Affected pups may show diarrhea, vomiting, and dyspnea and constantly cry out. Systemic viral infections in naive dams may lead to failure to conceive, fetal death, or abortion.

Because of the similarities of CPV-1 clinical symptoms with CHV and CPV-2, a thorough diagnostic workup is recommended. More specific assays such as PCR or immunoelectron microscopy are required to diagnose CPV-1 presence in f***l matter. Histopathologic changes seen in the thymus, lymph nodes, small intestine, and myocardium are very similar to CPV-2, and without specific IHC or CPV-1–specific PCR, these lesions may be misdiagnosed.

Because there is no vaccine available for CPV-1 control, it is important to maintain a clean whelping environment and keep optimal temperatures for newborn pups.

07/08/2021

07/08/2021

18/05/2021

Canine parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo." The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated f***s (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of f***s from an infected dog may harbor the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects.

Tank, a parvovirus survivor.
Tank, a parvovirus survivor.
Signs of parvovirus
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.

If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Diagnosis and treatment
Parvovirus infection is often suspected based on the dog's history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. F***l testing can confirm the diagnosis.

No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs, and treatment is intended to support the dog's body systems until the dog's immune system can fight off the viral infection. Treatment should be started immediately and consists primarily of intensive care efforts to combat dehydration by replacing electrolyte, protein and fluid losses, controlling vomiting and diarrhea, and preventing secondary infections. Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care. When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes. With proper treatment, survival rates can approach 90%.

Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection. Proper cleaning and disinfection of contaminated kennels and other areas where infected dogs are (or have been) housed is essential to control the spread of parvovirus. The virus is not easily killed, so consult your veterinarian for specific guidance on cleaning and disinfecting agents.

Preventing parvovirus
Vaccination and good hygiene are critical components of prevention.

Young puppies are very susceptible to infection, particularly because the natural immunity provided in their mothers' milk may wear off before the puppies' own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. If a puppy is exposed to canine parvovirus during this gap in protection, it may become ill. An additional concern is that immunity provided by a mother's milk may interfere with an effective response to vaccination. This means even vaccinated puppies may occasionally be infected by parvovirus and develop disease. To reduce gaps in protection and provide the best protection against parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of puppy vaccinations are administered. Puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.

To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. There are titers available that measure the dog's level of antibodies against the canine parvovirus, but the antibody level may not directly translate to protection if the dog is exposed to the virus. Ask your veterinarian about a recommended prevention program for your dog.

Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners should use caution when bringing their pet to places where young puppies congregate (e.g. pet shops, parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy daycare, kennels, and grooming establishments). Reputable establishments and training programs reduce exposure risk by requiring vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of ill puppies and dogs. Contact with known infected dogs and their premises should always be avoided.

In spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs do not develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection.

Finally, do not let your puppy or adult dog to come into contact with the f***l waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors. Prompt and proper disposal of waste material is always advisable as a way to limit spread of canine parvovirus infection as well as other diseases that can infect humans and animals.

Dogs with vomiting or diarrhea or other dogs which have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so.

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