In regards to your first question, parvovirus is pretty hardy virus, as I am sure you are aware. There are some studies stating that it can be inactivated readily at boiling temperatures (212 degrees F); unfortunately this isn't an option in conventional washing machines.
The best and most effective disinfectant against viruses (including parvoviruses) is BLEACH. One part bleach is mixed with 30 parts water and is applied to bowls, floors, surfaces, toys, bedding, and anything contaminated that is colorfast or for which color changes are not important.
The virus can live on contaminated surfaces or clothing for up to 5-6 months. Parvovirus becomes widespread throughout the body in 3-4 days.
Parvovirus can survive on clothing, toys, human skin, and in the environment. Therefore, indirect transmission can occur when a puppy comes in contact with a contaminated person or object. As previously mentioned, parvovirus can survive indoors at room temperature for a couple of months.
The best household cleaner to use to kill parvovirus is bleach (1 part bleach to 30 parts water). It should be used on hard surfaces including tiles, concrete, paving bottoms of shoes etc – leave the bleach on the surface at least 10-15 minutes. Anything that can be washed in bleach should be.
While parvo is not a risk to humans, it is very contagious to other dogs. Although bathing will not prevent your dog from being contagious, it will reduce the amount of contagion and clean soiled fur of body fluids.
Outside of your dog, the virus can survive indoors for at least one month, and outdoors it can survive for many months and even a year under the right conditions. Use a cleaner proven to kill parvovirus.
Begin with using straight hot water and steam clean the entire carpet. This will lift the stain off the surface. After you have completed the first surface washing, focus next on removing the stains. Use either a commercial pet stain remover or you can use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Parvo is so infectious that humans can spread it unknowingly to other dogs if they have recently come into contact with an infected pup, just by touching them. This means an innocent pat on the head could result in a life-threatening condition.
Canine parvo is a particularly hardy bug and can live for up to two years on surfaces or outside of the body. This means that clothes, hands, shoes, bedding or any other item that has come in contact with canine parvo can spread it to a healthy dog unless properly sterilized.
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.
Even if your veterinarian does everything right, there is still a chance that your puppy won't survive parvo. The near-death signs of parvo include severe lethargy, continuous bloody diarrhea, anorexia, and bloody vomiting. You may not want to admit it to yourself, but this is the point of no return.
The virus begins to be shed in the feces just before clinical signs develop and shedding continues for about fourteen days after clinical signs resolve. Susceptible dogs become infected by ingesting the virus.
The Parvo virus can live nine months to a year in favorable conditions such as dirt, concrete, and soil. It can live up to six months in fabric and carpets.
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.
A pet infected with parvovirus may develop a fever and behave lethargically, possibly refusing food within the first few days of infection. Within 24-48 hours, copious vomiting and diarrhea present, often containing blood in the later stages.
Parvovirus B19 can cause severe anemia (a condition in which the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells). Some people may also have painful or swollen joints, which is more common in adults.
To kill canine parvovirus on hard non-porous surfaces, prepare a disinfecting solution of ½ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach and one gallon of water. Pre-wash the areas and then mop or wipe with the disinfecting solution.
Can a dog get parvo twice? Once a dog has recovered from parvo, it is unlikely that they will contract the virus again. The immunity from the virus lasts for several years, protecting your dog from reinfection. It is theoretically possible for a dog to get parvo twice, but such chances are very slim.
Sodium Hypochlorite (Clorox Bleach) kills parvo. Sodium Chlorite (Performacide) kills parvo. Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (Rescu, Accel) kills parvo. Potassium Peroxymonosulfate (Trifectant, Virkon) kills parvo.
Now, for most dog owners in Australia, parvovirus is a disease that is part of their pet's regular vaccination regime. Since its emergence, parvovirus remains a leading cause of enteritis (small intestine inflammation) in dogs, despite effective vaccines.
Parvovirus is a scary disease that typically affects unvaccinated puppies. It is highly contagious, so if your dog is diagnosed with this virus, you'll want to thoroughly disinfect your home before it returns.
Because parvovirus is very contagious and hardy in its environment, proper disinfection is crucial. Dogs with parvovirus should be isolated during their treatment, and for up to 2 weeks after recovery. Most common household cleaners will not kill parvovirus.
Dehydration is very serious; dogs with canine parvovirus refuse water and quickly dehydrate due to their constant vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.