If an older dog does get parvo, it's often a mild case because your older dog has built up a stronger immune system. The parvovirus is everywhere, so over time, your dog will build natural immunity to the virus (whether he's vaccinated or not) by being exposed to it.
While parvovirus isn't as common in older dogs, they are by no means free of risk of catching the disease. Adult dogs who get parvo may be better able to survive the disease but without treatment a fatality is not impossible. It's important to make sure your dog is properly vaccinated to avoid parvo altogether.
Parvovirus, commonly known as “parvo,” is a contagious virus that can be very serious and even fatal in dogs. Dr. Jennifer Reinhart, a small animal internal medicine specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, explains that parvo is a problem that can be seen in dogs of any age.
It's so serious, in fact, that preventative parvovirus vaccinations for dogs are recommended between the ages of 6 to 16 weeks. Because young dogs receive the most attention regarding the illness, pet owners may wonder, can my dog get parvovirus at any age? The answer to this important question is, yes they can.
Can vaccinated dogs get parvo? Short answer: YES! Some may think once their dog is vaccinated they can't catch Parvo, but the virus has different strains and reinvents itself. So unfortunately, dogs definitely can still catch the parvovirus.
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.
Adult and older dogs who contract parvo have better chances of survival than puppies. The survival rate of dogs treated by a veterinarian is 68–92%.
Parvo is a preventable disease, but even vaccinated dogs are not 100% protected from the virus.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the best way to prevent parvovirus is through good hygiene and vaccination. Make sure to get your puppies vaccinated, and be sure your adult dogs are kept up-to-date on their parvovirus vaccination.
Parvovirus is found in any environment (lawns, homes, kennels, dog parks, etc.) and comes from infected dogs that excrete the virus in their vomit or feces. Puppies are more likely to get parvo because they are more likely investigate everything on the ground.
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. If left untreated the mortality rate is as high as 91%.
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.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
Certain breeds and types of dogs appear to have a higher risk of parvovirus infection or show more severe illness once infected. These include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bull Terrier breeds, and Alaskan sled dogs.
Dogs of any age can get parvo. Young puppies, unvaccinated dogs, and dogs with a weakened immune system are most at risk. If an elderly dog has been kept up-to-date on vaccinations and is otherwise healthy, they have less chance of developing a severe case of parvo.
Every time your puppy leaves the house, he's exposed to small amounts of viruses. This builds his immunity, slowly and naturally. Don't expose him to an environment with large amounts of viruses. You'll want to avoid dog parks for this reason.
Parvo doesn't necessarily come on suddenly, but the signs and symptoms may seem to develop and worsen quickly if left untreated.
Some find that there is a distinct metallic smell to feces infected with parvovirus. If left untreated, parvo cases can escalate quickly and dehydrate the dog to the point of no return.
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.
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.
Can a dog get parvo twice? Once a dog has recovered from parvo, it is unlikely that they will contract the virus again. The immunity from the virus lasts for several years, protecting your dog from reinfection. It is theoretically possible for a dog to get parvo twice, but such chances are very slim.
“Dogs who have three to five encounters with the vaccine will typically develop the highest amount of antibodies to protect from infection,” Dr. Burch said. And while some fully-vaccinated dogs can still get parvo — remember, this is rare — the vaccine will usually keep your pup completely safe.
An illness that has sickened dogs in northern Michigan, killing some of them, is confirmed to be canine parvovirus, a common ailment that the affected dogs were not fully vaccinated against, state officials said.
But there are very real dangers associated with vaccination and over-vaccination. Not to mention, vaccination doesn't always result in the outcome we are looking for. In fact, data from the Virbac Disease Watchdog shows that 28% of vaccinated puppies and 11% of vaccinated adults still get parvo.