Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
As a veterinarian and dog lover myself, I know how scary and heartbreaking it is when your four-legged friend gets sick. Canine parvovirus one of the most common dog illnesses and it makes dogs and puppies incredibly sick.
The last thing you need during this time is a complex explanation of what’s happening! In this article, I’m going to give you some simple basics about parvo. By the end, you’ll understand what causes it, how your dog got it and how you can help them survive the deadly disease.
What is Canine Parvovirus?
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. It attacks the gastrointestinal system, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea (often with blood), dehydration, and lethargy. (1) Parvo can also affect the heart muscle and the bone marrow.
The virus is extremely hardy and can live in the environment for months or even years if conditions are right. It’s hard to eliminate from yards, kennels, and veterinary clinics because it resists most disinfectants.
Parvo is spread through mouth and nose contact with infected feces or vomit. The virus particles can be transmitted on shoes, clothing, food bowls, hands or fur. Unvaccinated puppies under 6 months old have the highest risk of CPV infection. Although much less common, adult dogs can also become infected.
Symptoms
The symptoms of parvovirus infection usually show up around 7-14 days after a dog has been exposed to the virus. (1) The most common signs are:
- Vomiting
- Bloody, watery diarrhea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
Puppies often deteriorate very rapidly once symptoms start. Severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and shock can set in quickly, and death can occur in 2-5 days.
Immediate veterinary treatment is critical to save an infected dog’s life. The death rate for untreated parvo puppies can be as high as 90%. With good medical care, the death rate is only about 10%.
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How Vets Check for Parvo
Veterinarians use several different tests to diagnose parvo:
- A fecal ELISA test can detect parvo antigen in a stool sample within minutes. This is the quickest way to diagnose a parvo infection.
- A PCR test looks for parvo DNA in the blood and confirms infection.
- Blood tests check white blood cell counts, which are often abnormal with parvo.
This viral infection is sometimes confused with other causes of vomiting and diarrhea. Garbage gut syndrome, food poisoning, parasites, or intestinal blockages cause similar symptoms. The only way to be 100% sure is through diagnostic testing.
Treatment
Dog parvovirus causes extreme intestinal damage. Traditional treatments are aimed at supporting the body while it fights the virus and eventually heals. Parvo-infected dogs treated with intensive veterinary care have a survival rate of about 90%. (2)
Treatments may include:
- Hospitalization for 3-7 days or longer
- Fluids to prevent dehydration
- Antibiotics to control secondary infections
- Pain medication
- Medicine to control vomiting and diarrhea
- Nutritional support to aid healing
Severely affected dogs may need more aggressive measures like plasma transfusions, intravenous nutrition, and electrolyte monitoring. Even with excellent care, some puppies are too weak to recover.
A Promising New Treatment for CPV
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Researchers have developed a breakthrough in treating parvovirus infections: Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA). These are lab-made proteins, similar to the body’s natural defenders. Given as a single injection, CPMA targets and neutralizes the virus. (3)
In early tests, treated dogs showed remarkable improvement in symptoms and all survived. This innovation, inspired by human medicine, offers new hope in combating parvo, marking a significant advance in veterinary care.
Preventing Parvo Through Vaccination
The very best way to protect dogs from parvo is through vaccination. Puppies should receive a vaccine every 3-4 weeks starting at age 6-8 weeks and continuing until age 16-20 weeks. Adult dogs need boosters every 1-3 years depending on risk factors and lifestyle.
It’s important not to skip any vaccination appointments, as this leaves dogs vulnerable. Only high vaccination rates in the community can reduce the spread of parvo and keep our pets safe.
Other tips for preventing an unvaccinated dog or puppy from getting a parvovirus infection include:
- Avoiding places like dog parks, trails and kennels where infected feces may be present
- Not allowing unvaccinated puppies to socialize with unknown dogs
- Promptly disinfecting any areas contaminated by dog vomit or diarrhea
- Washing hands and changing shoes after contact with unknown dogs
- Asking boarding facilities, groomers, walkers etc. about their parvo prevention protocols
Cats Can Catch Parvo from Dogs
Here’s an interesting fact many people don’t know about: while CPV mainly infects dogs, it can infect cats, too. The virus causes symptoms in cats similar to what we see in dogs. (2)
It is important to keep puppies with parvo away from any household cats, especially unvaccinated kittens who are most at risk. Cats should receive a panleukopenia vaccine to protect against infection from dog parvo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Deadly But Manageable Threat
As a veterinarian, I’ve seen first-hand how devastating parvo can be. However, I’ve also seen so many puppies recover and thrive after successful treatment. While parvo is highly contagious and has a high mortality rate without treatment, it is a manageable threat if caught early and treated aggressively.
The most important thing you can do as a pet owner is vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate! Do not skip any shots or delay vaccine boosters. Be vigilant for symptoms and see your vet at the very first sign of illness.
