Parvo, Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus ("Parvo" or "Parvo Virus") is a viral disease of dogs. It affects puppies much more frequently than it affects adult dogs. Puppy Parvo grows in rapidly dividing cells. The intestinal lining has the biggest concentration of rapidly dividing cells in a puppy's body.

Parvo Virus

The Parvo virus in dogs attacks and kills these cells, causing diarrhea (often bloody), depression and suppression of white blood cells -- which come from another group of rapidly dividing cells. In very young puppies dog parvo can infect the heart muscle and lead to "sudden" death. (See A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology: Parvoviridae, Carter G.R., Wise D.J. and Flores E.F. (Eds.). International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY, 8-Apr-2005; A3409.0405.)

Canine Parvovirus Transmission

Canine parvovirus is carried by dogs. Adult dogs may be infected carriers without showing any clinical signs or symptoms of Parvo. Dogs with the typical diarrhea that parvovirus causes shed the virus as well. Parvovirus can last a long time in the environment, perhaps as long as 9 months or longer.

Parvo Symptoms

Generally, it takes 7-10 days from the time of exposure for dogs and puppies to start showing symptoms and to test positive for parvo.

Parvo Dog Disease

Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs, and the Parvo virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal material for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works, and is commonly used by veterinarians.

Parvo in Puppies

The ease with which infection with Parvo can occur in any unvaccinated dog must be stressed. The virus is extremely hardy in the environment and withstands wide temperature fluctuations and most cleaning agents. Parvo can be brought home to your dog on shoes, hands and even car tires. It can live for many months outside the animal. Any areas that are thought to be contaminated with parvo should be thoroughly washed with chlorine bleach diluted 1 ounce per quart of water.

Puppy Parvo

Dogs and puppies can contract parvo even if they never leave their yards. Parvo virus, despite what you might hear, is NOT an airborne virus. It is excreted in the feces of infected dogs, and if someone -- human, dog, bird, etc. -- steps in (or otherwise comes in contact with) the excrement, the possibility for contamination is great. Some people speculate that birds invading a dog's food dish can deposit the parvovirus there. If you think you may have come in contact with parvovirus, a strong solution of bleach and water does kill the virus, so you can wash your shoes and clothes, even your hands with it, to reduce the risk of infecting your dog.

Parvovirus Symptoms

Parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system. It causes dogs and puppies to be unable to absorb nutrients or liquids. Puppies are especially prone to Parvo because they have an immature immune system. When dogs and puppies contract parvo disease, they often have diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. Usually they stop eating and develop a bloody, foul-smelling, liquid stool.

Symptoms of Parvo

Symptoms usually begin with a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Secondary symptoms appear as severe gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea. In many cases, dehydration, shock, and death may follow. This is a SERIOUS disease that demands immediate veterinary intervention and care.

Parvo Recovery

Parvovirus is characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, high fever and lethargy. The puppy diarrhea is particularly foul smelling and is sometimes yellow in color. Parvo can also attack a dog's heart causing congestive heart failure. This complication can occur months or years after a seeming recovery from the intestinal form of the parvo disease. Puppies who survive parvo infection usually remain somewhat unhealthy and weak for life.

Parvo Treatment

If you suspect your puppy or dog has Parvo, or has been exposed to it, contact your veterinarian immediately. A clinical evaluation and diagnosis by a qualified veterinary professional, including the standard CITE test for Parvo, will determine if your dog does indeed have Parvovirus and requires urgent veterinary intervention and care.