The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts 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.
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.
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).
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is highly resistant and can survive for months in the environment. 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%.
Certain breeds, including Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels, and Alaskan sled dogs, are particularly vulnerable to the disease. The virus spreads by direct dog-to-dog contact, as well as contact with contaminated feces, environments, or people.
Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk.
The single best and cheapest way to prevent parvo is to vaccinate your dogs and puppies. Every single one of them. If you're thinking of breeding your dogs or if they haven't been “fixed,” make sure that you get them vaccinated.
Do not let your puppies walk outside as the risk of parvovirus and leptospirosis with unvaccinated puppies is high.
Similarly, it should be safe for your puppy to meet older dogs of friends and family, provided they're fully vaccinated, haven't been exposed to unvaccinated dogs, and are known to be gentle with puppies.
They are vulnerable to the disease until they have received all three shots in their vaccination series, which means owners need to take extra precaution during this time to prevent their puppies from contracting the virus.
A University of Sydney study has found that canine parvovirus (CPV), a highly contagious and deadly disease that tragically kills puppies, is more prevalent than previously thought with 20,000 cases found in Australia each year, and nearly half of these cases result in death.
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.
Even if your puppy is vaccinated, and has created antibodies to fight off the infection, she can still become infected with the virus. If you live in a high-risk area or have met a Parvovirus-infected dog, your puppy can pick up a large amount of virus material from this interaction.
Parvovirus can survive months on surfaces such as concrete so infections can still be transmitted to new dogs after your dog is recovered. This is especially important to consider when thinking about bringing another puppy into your home, either to add to your family or even if they are just visiting.
The first sign of parvo for puppies is often lethargy, lack of appetite, and a fever. Canines will begin to suffer from vomiting and diarrhea as the virus progresses, and can experience dehydration and a high heart rate as a result.
If you live in a flat or only have access to public areas for toilet training your dog (areas where unvaccinated dogs may also be toileting) then you should not take your new puppy outside until they have completed their full vaccination course (they are usually allowed into public areas a week after completing ...
Some breeders will begin potty training a puppy before they are old enough to be adopted. When you bring an eight-week-old dog home, you can start puppy house training by taking him out to go to the bathroom on a regular basis.
Puppies usually have their first vaccination at around eight weeks old, followed by another vaccination two to four weeks later. The vaccinations take time to take effect, so avoid taking them outside until your puppy has had all of their vaccinations.
If you're wondering when can puppies go outside away from home, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at about seven weeks old.
Daily walks on concrete are not recommended for young puppies because you may create a problem with their skeletal development. Walking or playing on a concrete surface is tough on soft, young joints and can lead to early arthritis.
Take your pup on a walk in a stroller, wagon, or sling. Just don't allow him to walk place that there might be other animal's urine or feces. Take a large blanket and an exercise pen to the park. Let your pup watch the world go by on the safety of the blanket.
Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, the general rule of thumb is to exercise them for five minutes per month of age. So, if your puppy is 12 weeks old, then they can be walked for 15 minutes per day.
Bleach is most effective on non-porous surfaces from which organic material has been thoroughly removed. For areas where you can safely use bleach, dilute household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) using 1 part bleach to 32 parts water (that's 1/2 cup per gallon of water).
Canine parvovirus can be found in almost any environment, but not every dog who comes into contact with the virus becomes infected.
In another study that was performed on the dogs, it is shown that after 2 weeks of vaccination, in the first dose 98% and the second dose 100% of puppies were protected against CPV-2 [31].