With proper treatment, survival rates can approach 90%. Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize spread of infection.
Parvo is a potentially fatal disease. The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68 to 92 percent, and most puppies that survive the first three-to-four days make a complete recovery.
Treatment: If your dog's treatment starts early (examples of treatment are medications, IV fluids, antibiotics) they have a higher chance of surviving. Recovery: It can take fourteen to twenty days for a puppy or adult dog to fully recover from parvovirus.
Parvo virus causes severe life threatening diarrhea, often the diarrhea has blood in it. Once a puppy has symptoms of parvo, if left untreated they can die within 48 - 72 hours. It can be simply diagnosed and survival is possible if treated soon enough.
Pets can be hospitalized up to 7 days in some cases but in most cases 3-5 days. The survival rate for hospitalized parvo dogs is approximately 90%. Pets are able to go home when they are hydrated, no longer vomiting and are eating willingly.
66% of recently vaccinated puppies treated with Parvaid survived parvo. 91% of unvaccinated puppies treated with Parvaid survived parvo.
The average recovery time for parvo in dogs is between 5 to 10 days depending on the severity of the infection. Since the immune system is very weak during this time, it's possible the dog may pick up a secondary infection that can lead to an increase in the recovery time.
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.
Dehydration is very serious; dogs with canine parvovirus refuse water and quickly dehydrate due to their constant vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
The incubation period for parvo is typically three to five days for most dogs; however, it is possible (though uncommon) that the incubation period could be up to 14 days (Greene, Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat). Dogs can begin to shed the virus as early as three to four days prior to showing clinical signs.
The highest risk of death occurs around 24-72 hours after you see the symptoms of parvo in dogs. If a puppy is hospitalized, given lots of supportive care, and monitored closely, the survival rate is usually around 75-80%.
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.”
The good news is that 85% of infected puppies who are treated go on to survive although treatment can be drawn-out and distressing. The even better news is that parvovirus in dogs can be virtually eliminated by a simple vaccine given every two to four weeks until 16 weeks of age.
Fluid therapy. Isotonic crystalloids should be administered subcutaneously at a dose of 40ml/kg every 8 hours to provide maintenance fluid and account for ongoing losses. Over the first 24 hours, dehydration should be corrected by administering the calculated fluid deficit in addition to maintenance fluids.
Often infected animals rapidly dehydrate, and in severe cases progress to shock and death. Occasionally parvovirus attacks the heart muscle of puppies, and can cause sudden death. It is extremely painful for puppies and dogs.
We recommend that puppies receive a minimum of 3 rounds of vaccines in the first year, and for ultra protection against Parvo, we recommend puppies receive a 4th round of vaccine. Ideally, the first round of vaccine is administered about 6 weeks of age.
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.
The survival rate for hospitalization is 90%. The survival rate for at-home care is 50%.
Dogs that become infected with the virus and show clinical signs will usually become ill within six to ten days after exposure.
It is essential to begin treatment as soon as a dog has been diagnosed. With proper veterinary care, the survival rate of dogs who contract parvo can be up to 90 percent, but without treatment, the mortality rate is more than 80 percent.
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.
Never try to force-feed your puppy. This could cause food particles to travel down the trachea into the lungs instead of the stomach, this could lead to aspiration pneumonia. Do not free feed the puppy and don't give him full freedom to eat. As you need to know when and how much he is eating.
Most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
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.