Cases of Parvovirus are on the rise in the United States

If you feel like you have heard the term Parvovirus (sometimes referred to as simply Parvo) in relation to dogs a lot more often lately, you would not be wrong. In fact, it seems as if we are hearing about more and more cases of this deadly virus all the time.

And according to a press email we received on behalf of Veterinarians.org, cases of Parvovirus are on the rise across the country. Recently, we wrote about exactly what this virus is, how it spreads, and even how it can impact both puppies and unvaccinated dogs. And now, we are learning that since the pandemic cases of the virus have been steadily rising.

Not only can the virus be deadly to puppies and other unvaccinated dogs out there, but it is also very contagious. It spreads easily and swiftly, making it something that pet parents will want to be cautious of, especially in areas of the country where we have seen an increase in cases.

Parvovirus is on the rise across the country

According to Dr. Rhiannon Koehler of Veterinarians.org,

"Parvovirus is also an extremely hardy virus and can live on surfaces for months. It’s not easily killed, so if a pet owner has had a dog with parvovirus in their home, they should consult with their veterinarian before bringing another young or unvaccinated dog home. Their veterinarian can help them plan for appropriate disinfection.The very best action pet owners can take to protect their pets from parvovirus is to keep their pets up-to-date on routine vaccinations. Once puppies are around 6-8 weeks old, they’ll usually receive a parvovirus vaccine every 2-4 weeks until they’re at least 4 months old."

It is important to make sure that your puppies get all their vaccines before they are socialized. And we highly recommend consulting with your veterinarian when getting a new puppy, planning their vaccine schedule, or if you have ever had Parvovirus in your home and are looking to adopt a new furry friend.

Were you aware of the fact that Parvovirus has been on the rise since the pandemic? Has your area been hit hard by this virus? What are you doing to protect your puppy? Let us know over on Twitter and join the conversation.