Parvovirus is most prevalent in dogs 6 weeks to 6 months of age and can be picked up through contaminated feces, tracked in on shoes and through sharing harnesses, collars or food and water bowls.
How is parvovirus spread? CPV-2 is highly contagious and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs.
While contagious diseases in dogs are more commonly spread through coughing or sneezing, it is possible for dogs to be exposed to pathogens when communal water bowls are contaminated. In general, it is safer to have a separate water source for your dog.
Because it is highly contagious, canine parvovirus can quickly jump from dog to dog. The virus typically enters through a dog's nose or mouth and is shed through saliva or diarrhea. The parvovirus is not airborne, but nearly all surfaces can carry it, including human skin.
How is Parvo transmitted? A dog can become infected by the Parvo virus by a direct dog to dog contact, contaminated feces in the yard, kennel surfaces, bedding, food and water bowls or even people who have come in contact with infected dogs.
Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo." The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces (stool), environments, or people.
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.
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.
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 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.
It's okay to have a community water bowl, but each dog should get their own helping in a separate bowl. Ideally, each dog gets their meal at the same time and finishes at the same time. But that's rarely reality. Some dogs devour their food while others graze.
Wash the bowl with soap and water. Prepare a bleach solution: add 2 teaspoons bleach to 1 gallon of water. Fill the pet dish and wipe down the exterior with the bleach solution. Let it stand for 2 minutes, then drain the solution and let the dish air dry.
In general, dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water (1/8 of a cup) per pound of body weight each day. However, there are many factors that can affect how much your dog will drink, so you should not be restricting your dog's water intake.
This virus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected dog or by indirect contact with a contaminated object. Your puppy is exposed to the parvovirus every time he sniffs, licks, or consumes infected feces.
This is one of the reasons that it is imperative that all puppies get fully vaccinated. The parvovirus makes it impossible for an infected Dog's system to absorb nutrients. A dog can contact parvo through exposure to another dog's feces, urine or saliva.
What are the first signs of parvo in a dog? Initial signs that your dog may have contracted parvo are running a fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and anorexia. These initial signs may progress and can result in vomiting and diarrhea within two days after showing their first symptom.
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.
Vaccinations stimulate the immune system to make a response. In a disease that destroys the immune system, there is nothing left to fight the disease. This is how some dogs can become infected with Parvovirus, and it's not related to vaccine failure or lack of vaccine immunity although it may initially appear this way.
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.
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.
“Although there is a window of highest risk between 8 and 16 weeks, adult dogs that are not correctly vaccinated may contract this virus as well,” says Dr. Reinhart. Patients that are diagnosed with parvovirus usually present with vomiting, diarrhea, lack of energy, and poor appetite.
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.
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.
Infection with parvovirus occurs when a puppy is exposed to contaminated feces or to an object, such as shoes or a sidewalk, which has been contaminated by feces. 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.