Parvo has an incubation period of about 5-7 days, this means that they may not get sick until five days after they have been exposed to the virus. Symptoms to look for are vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, dehydration and bloody, very smelly diarrhoea.
Dogs that become infected with the virus and show clinical signs will usually become ill within six to ten days after exposure.
Parvo doesn't necessarily come on suddenly, but the signs and symptoms may seem to develop and worsen quickly if left untreated.
Dogs with parvo need to be hospitalized to begin treatment immediately. Your dog will receive IV fluids to prevent or reverse dehydration, anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medication to stop vomiting and diarrhea, and antibiotics to fight off secondary infections that can attack your dog's weakened immune system.
Symptoms of Parvo in Dogs
A dog infected with canine parvovirus will usually start to show parvo symptoms within 3-7 days of infection. An infected puppy will often show lethargy as the first sign, and they may not want to eat. They will also often have a fever.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus. Vaccines for the parvovirus are recommended for all puppies and are usually given in a series of three shots when the pup is between 6-to-8 weeks old, again at 10-to-12 weeks, and at 14-to-16 weeks.
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 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).
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.
The second way a dog could contract the virus is through indirect contact. 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.
Dehydration is very serious; dogs with canine parvovirus refuse water and quickly dehydrate due to their constant vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
As canine parvovirus causes extreme stomach and digestive tract upset, the feces of a dog with parvo is usually liquid diarrhea. It will begin brown in color, but will gradually become more red as the disease develops.
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 good news is that parvo is treatable! After a parvo diagnosis, your veterinarian will likely want to hospitalize your pet so they can be treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Some animals may need blood or plasma transfusions, or other forms of fluid therapy.
Parvovirus can infect unvaccinated dogs of any age, but commonly affects puppies between the age of 6 weeks to 6 months. Dogs get exposed by ingesting the virus, which is shed in the feces of infected dogs up to two weeks before any symptoms develop, and two weeks after the signs resolve.
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.
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.
Which Dogs Are Most Likely to Get Parvo? Puppies aged six weeks to six months are most susceptible, as are any dogs who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, according to Toronto Veterinary Emergency Clinic veterinarian Kelly D.
The virus usually enters the dog through sniffing or eating infected feces or direct contact with an infected dog. Dogs can shed the virus before they show signs of illness and for several weeks after disease has resolved. Therefore, even dogs that appear healthy can transmit parvovirus.
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.
By simply coming into contact with these contaminated surfaces through sniffs or licks, a dog may become ill with the parvovirus. Parvo can also live on surfaces for weeks, months or even years. It is especially resilient in that it can survive on humans, the environment, clothing and equipment.
Studies have observed that if your Fido is not vaccinated, the chances of him getting parvovirus are very high, and the morbidity rate is 100%. The mortality rate of dogs with parvo is statistically 10% in adult dogs, and 91% in puppies (Appel et al. 1979; Black et al. 1979).
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.
Your puppy can always be susceptible to parvovirus, even after vaccination, however vaccination greatly reduces the risk of this disease.
Yes, if an older dog is unvaccinated, he can get parvo.