If possible, flush the yard with water and allow to dry. Then apply a disinfectant that is effective with organic material, such as AHP or potassium peroxymonosulfate. These can be used with a pesticide sprayer or hose-end sprayer at the proper dilution to saturate the outside area.
Extremely resilient, parvovirus can survive in the environment for up to nine years, including the ground and soil. It can also withstand most household cleaning products (bleach is an exception), heat, cold and humidity, all of which makes the spread of the virus is hard to control.
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.
Parvo is a virus that can be deadly to dogs, and it's important to take preventative measures. One way to do this is by using a VETSCAN rapid test device in your yard to detect the virus. This simple three-step process involves collecting canine feces, placing them in the machine, and waiting for results.
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.
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.
Parvo can be found in almost any environment. It is transmitted when a susceptible dog comes in contact with the virus. This includes contact with the feces of an infected dog, or objects that contain the virus (shoes, clothes, bedding, bowls, grass, carpets, floors, etc).
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.
Disinfect Everything
If there is anything in or around your home that could possibly be contaminated with dog parvo virus, disinfect it before your unvaccinated canine has the chance to make contact. The virus can live on many different surfaces, such as dog food bowls, clothes, floors, and more.
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.
The parvovirus is not airborne, but nearly all surfaces can carry it, including human skin. After an individual has been exposed to the disease, an infestation can occur on the ground, on surfaces in kennels, on their hands, and on their clothing. A dog can also carry contaminated fecal material on its fur or paws.
Performacide is EPA-Registered to kill Canine Parvovirus, Bordetella Bronchiseptica (kennel cough), Canine Distemper, Feline Distemper, Feline Calicivirus, Avian influenza-A virus, Coronavirus, MRSA, E. coli, and many more viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, mold and mildew. Performacide is easy to use.
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.
Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection. Infected dogs shed heavy concentrations of the virus in their stool. There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year.
Yes, dogs do not have to come into contact with each other to spread parvo, they just have to come into contact with the virus. The virus could be anywhere where dogs have been and the virus could be carried to a dog by a human or other object.
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.
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.
Parvovirus is found in any environment (lawns, homes, kennels, dog parks, etc.) and comes from infected dogs that excrete the virus in their vomit or feces. Puppies are more likely to get parvo because they are more likely investigate everything on the ground.
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.
The Spread of Canine Parvovirus 'Parvo'
The disease is so infectious that even a human that has unknowingly been in contact with an infected dog can spread the virus to puppies and other dogs just by touching them. Which means that an innocent pat on the head can become the beginning of a life-threatening condition.
There is no specific cure for parvovirus, so treatment revolves around supporting the puppy so their body can fight it off. Supportive care for parvovirus generally includes: Hospitalization with intravenous fluids. Antiemetics to stop vomiting.
Sodium Hypochlorite (Clorox Bleach) kills parvo. Sodium Chlorite (Performacide) kills parvo. Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (Rescu, Accel) kills parvo. Potassium Peroxymonosulfate (Trifectant, Virkon) kills parvo.
Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water will remove the virus. Specific disinfectants need to be used to remove parvovirus from the environment, including toys, clothing and cages. See the Resources section below for a list of disinfectants effective against parvovirus – note it is a “nonenveloped virus.”
Since parvovirus B19 infects only humans, a person cannot catch the virus from a pet dog or cat. Also, a cat or dog cannot catch parvovirus B19 from an infected person. Pet dogs and cats can get infected with other parvoviruses that do not infect humans.
The recent rain, followed by warm days have provided the perfect breeding conditions for parvovirus, which emerges most often during spring and autumn, though outbreaks can occur at any time of the year.