Parvo is preventable. The best thing you can do to prevent parvo is to ensure that your puppy receives all of their parvo vaccines before you take them for a walk or let them socialise with other dogs. If you have other dogs in the household, make sure that they are vaccinated against parvo as well.
Parvo can live in the ground, the grass, on bushes – pretty much anywhere (although it is not an airborne virus). Disease prevention is always less costly (and risky) than treating a condition your pet has developed.
They are vulnerable to the disease until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series, which means owners need to take extra precaution during this time to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus.
Puppies and adolescent dogs are especially susceptible to parvovirus, and you should avoid bringing your puppy to public places where there is likely to be lots of virus (animal shelters and kennels) until after their vaccinations are complete.
Puppies are at the greatest risk for parvo between the ages of 6 weeks to 6 months. Puppies can receive their parvo vaccinations at 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. They must receive a full series of vaccinations to ensure complete immunity. Puppies require a parvo booster vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age.
The first sign of parvo for puppies is often lethargy, lack of appetite, and a fever. Canines will begin to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea as the virus progresses, and can experience dehydration and a high heart rate as a result.
A University of Sydney study has found that canine parvovirus (CPV), a highly contagious and deadly disease that tragically kills puppies, is more prevalent than previously thought with 20,000 cases found in Australia each year, and nearly half of these cases result in death.
Avoid high-traffic areas, like dog parks, where the other dogs' vaccination and infection status is unknown. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends that puppies have at least one parvo vaccination seven days prior to socialization in safe settings, such as puppy classes.
Similarly, it should be safe for your puppy to meet older dogs of friends and family, provided they're fully vaccinated, haven't been exposed to unvaccinated dogs, and are known to be gentle with puppies.
Parvovirus can survive months on surfaces such as concrete so infections can still be transmitted to new dogs after your dog is recovered. This is especially important to consider when thinking about bringing another puppy into your home, either to add to your family or even if they are just visiting.
While they are now much more resilient than they were just a few weeks ago, it's still important to continue to avoid things that could make them sick. On walks, keep to paved surfaces like sidewalks and parking lots. Stay off of grass or dirt trails where the urine or feces of unvaccinated dogs are harder to avoid.
Direct contact isn't necessary for transmission — Because parvovirus can be transmitted via infected surfaces, dog-to-dog contact isn't necessary for infection. The virus can be transmitted to your puppy when she walks on a previously contaminated surface, or from shoes, clothing, or toys brought into your home.
Performacide is EPA-Registered to kill canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus, avian influenza-A virus, MRSA, E. coli, and many more viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, mold and mildew. Performacide is easy to use. It requires no wiping and no rinsing.
Bleach is most effective on non-porous surfaces from which organic material has been thoroughly removed. For areas where you can safely use bleach, dilute household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) using 1 part bleach to 32 parts water (that's 1/2 cup per gallon of water).
Do not let your puppies walk outside as the risk of parvovirus and leptospirosis with unvaccinated puppies is high.
Certain breeds and types of dogs appear to have a higher risk of parvovirus infection or show more severe illness once infected. These include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bull Terrier breeds, and Alaskan sled dogs.
Certain breeds, including Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels, and Alaskan sled dogs, are particularly vulnerable to the disease.
In the U.S., people tend to get infected with parvovirus B19 more often in late winter, spring, and early summer. Mini-outbreaks of parvovirus B19 infection occur about every 3 to 4 years. Since parvovirus B19 only infects humans, a person cannot get the virus from a dog or cat.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus.
High heat will kill parvovirus but it has to be temperatures of around 120-130 degrees Celsius for a period of 15 minutes. Sunlight can also deactivate the virus.
Your puppy can always be susceptible to parvovirus, even after vaccination, however vaccination greatly reduces the risk of this disease.
Clinical Findings of Canine Parvovirus
Clinical signs of parvoviral enteritis generally develop within 5–7 days of infection but can range from 2–14 days. Initial clinical signs may be nonspecific (eg, lethargy, anorexia, fever) with progression to vomiting and hemorrhagic small-bowel diarrhea within 24–48 hours.
Your puppy will vomit and have diarrhea if canine parvovirus is present in their system. Vomit may be clear or a yellow or brown color, and diarrhea will often contain blood and be a light yellow or mustard colored hue.
Parvo poop color
The poop should start a pale yellow and gradually become darker as more blood enters the intestines. Parvo poop can go from yellowish brown to dark red, to nearly black in the later stages.