When you’re searching for the right dog to join the family, you may see something like “parvo negative” or “tested for parvo” along with other information. So what is parvo?
Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease in dogs. It often affects puppies more than adult dogs, and the breeds most susceptible to the disease are black and tan dogs like Dobies and Rotties. Parvo attacks the active cells of the stomach and digestive tract; dogs suffering from parvo are unable to absorb liquids or nutrients from food.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Parvovirus is only contagious to dogs. Humans and other pets cannot get the virus.
Early symptoms of parvo are:
- Refusal to eat
- Lethargy
- High fever
Secondary symptoms of parvo are:
- Diarrhea (often bloody; may be yellowish in color)
- Vomiting
Dogs suffering from parvo end up dehydrated and many do not survive. The intestinal virus can also move into the heart, causing heart failure weeks or months after the stomach issues have passed. Dogs that do survive the parvovirus can often catch it again.
The parvovirus can be a tricky one. Transmitted through doggie doo, the virus can live for up to nine months outside of the animal! (There’s a good reason to scoop that poop, huh?) The virus is NOT airborne; it travels only through excrement from infected dogs. But you step in the wrong poop, you can easily track parvo into your yard and home, putting your dogs at risk.
If you think you have come in contact with the parvovirus, just about the only thing that kills it is a solution of bleach and water. Wash shoes, clothes, and even hands to prevent the spread of the virus. Unvaccinated dogs can catch parvo very easily.
The very best way to prevent the spread of parvo is to vaccinate your dog. The parvo vaccine is usually included in your dog’s distemper shot, protecting your pup from multiple deadly diseases at once.