What to know about Parvo

Have you been seeing parvo in the news lately? Do you know what Canine Parvovirus is and what it means for your dog or puppy?

Recently we have been seeing a lot of reports of dogs and puppies contracting parvo and in some cases, shelters and rescues have been shut down because of the virus. But what exactly is Canine Parvovirus and what do we need to know about it?

We did a bit of a deep dive and here’s what we learned.

What you should know about Parvo

How is Canine Parvovirus spread?

According to a post from the SPCA (Let Love Live page), dogs can get parvo from other dogs, people, and infected feces. It’s a highly contagious infection that works its way through their gastrointestinal tracts.

Dogs and puppies can get it from sharing a public water bowl that has the virus in the water. They can get it from used bedding and cages or kennels that have housed dogs that had the virus. In many cases, the reason the dog ends up with parvo is because they have not been vaccinated against the virus and they end up being in the vicinity of an animal infected with the virus or even an item that has been in contact with the virus.

What are some of the symptoms of Canine Parvovirus?

If your dog or puppy has parvo, they may be dealing with:

• Lethargy
• Weight Loss
• Fever
• Bloody Diarrhea
• Throwing Up

It’s important to note that in a lot of cases, a dog can actually die within the first 72 hours of infection, in particular when these symptoms begin. If you notice any of these symptoms, we highly recommend getting your dog to the veterinarians office (call ahead because they may have special instructions for getting your dog seen).

How to prevent Canine Parvovirus

Especially in areas that are reporting high numbers of parvo, we recommend not taking your pup to a public area where other dogs may be hanging out and exercising. This means no dog parks or even doggy day cares.

There is a vaccine against parvo, which is definitely a great idea when first getting a new puppy. And of course, we recommend making sure that any dog you adopt has been vaccinated as well. Plus, if you are bringing a new puppy into your home, make sure they are completely vaccinated before socializing them.

Parvo can survive for years if it is not treated properly and this means making sure everything coming into your home is cleaned properly. And this can include your shoes if you step in vomit or poop on the sidewalk. No matter what, bleach is your friend as it truly is effective in killing the virus.