Canine parvovirus is an extremely contagious virus that causes severe stomach upset in dogs. The most likely age group affected by this virus is puppies less than 1 year of age. Pets become infected through oral contact with the virus in feces, infected soil, and contaminated objects (including humans). The incubation period for the virus is 3-7 days. Infection depends on the amount of the virus the dog is exposed to as well as prior immunity (i.e. vaccines and/or previous infections). The virus attacks the tissues that line the intestines as well as the bone marrow. Infected dogs can shed huge amounts of the virus in their feces, saliva, and vomit and thus need to be isolated from other dogs. Dogs that survive the infection may still shed the virus for 2-3 weeks post-infection.
Signs of a parvovirus infection include: severe bloody diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and severe dehydration. It is mostly diagnosed via a simple snap test that can be performed at most veterinary hospitals. Other blood work may show low white blood cell counts or elevated white blood cell counts.
Treatment consists mostly of supportive care until the puppy’s body can fight off the infection. Hospitalization with intravenous fluids is required along with broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics to prevent sepsis or bacterial infections within the blood stream, and anti-nausea medications. The puppy will likely need to remain hospitalized for several days to several weeks depending on the severity of the infection.
The prognosis without treatment for survival is extremely poor. A mortality rate of 91% without treatment has been reported. However, with the proper care survival rates have been reported as high as 85-90%.
As with any disease, prevention is always better than treatment. We recommend vaccinating all puppies for the parvovirus every 2-3 weeks from the age of 8 weeks until the age of 16 weeks. It is important to remember that puppies that are not yet 16 weeks of age and are therefore not fully vaccinated can still be infected with the virus. It is not recommended to take puppies out of their immediate environment and into areas where they may come in contact with other dogs, such as dog parks, pet stores, or kennels, until they have completed the vaccine series. Once the pet is fully vaccinated, it is very unlikely for a pet to contract the illness unless their immune system is compromised. Unfortunately, parvovirus is very hearty and can survive in the environment for several years, even in below freezing temperatures. It is essential to clean a possibly infected environment with diluted bleach and keep puppies away from potentially contaminated soil.