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Medical Watch

Parvovirus

The following information is provided as a public service only, and is NOT intended to replace the advice or recommendations of your pet’s veterinarian.

Information

Parvovirus is a small, infectious agent that can infect your dog or puppy, especially if they have not been properly vaccinated against it or have not been vaccinated at all. Dogs can be exposed to parvovirus directly from the infected feces of another dog or from other infected surfaces (cages, kennels, flooring, cement, lawns, shoes, clothing, hands, etc.) that have not been properly disinfected. Very young puppies less than eight weeks old may die very quickly from heart failure if the virus infects the heart’s cells. Most older puppies will suffer and potentially die from varying degrees of intestinal disease, secondary bacterial infection and low white blood cell levels.

The period of time from a dog's exposure to infective parvovirus to the the development of the clinical signs (symptoms) of the disease usually ranges from about 2-10 days.

The outward signs of parvovirus infection in puppies often include depression and lethargy, with repeated vomiting and diarrhea. The vomiting usually occurs first and the diarrhea is frequently bloody. The puppy will not want to drink or eat and its rectal temperature will often be above or below the normal 100-102.5º F. A cold, wet nose is NOT an indicator of a dog’s body temperature. A dog or puppy showing some or all of these signs could deteriorate rapidly and should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. The sooner parvovirus treatment is started, the better the sick puppy’s chances are of surviving.

Although there are no drugs to kill the parvovirus, supportive veterinary treatment and hospitalization are essential for recovery. Since the puppy generally has vomiting, diarrhea and an inability to drink or eat, dehydration becomes a major problem. Treatment often includes intravenous fluid therapy and injectable drugs to counter shock, vomiting and diarrhea. Injectable antibiotics are also given to help protect against secondary bacterial infections while the puppy is sick. Recovery generally takes several days, sometimes up to ten days. Unfortunately, if dogs are too severely affected, they may die despite all supportive treatment.

Puppies and dogs that survive parvovirus disease are considered immune to re-infection by parvovirus, but this is NOT a guarantee against re-infection. Vaccination after recovery is highly recommended.

Prevention

Infected puppies (and adult dogs) that survive may continue to spread the virus though their stools for up to a month following recovery. The virus can then live in the environment for many months or even years. Unfortunately, parvovirus cannot be destroyed by most ordinary disinfectant solutions, but a cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of water can be used to disinfect household and kennel surfaces, soles of shoes and hands. Since it is impossible to disinfect lawns, public parks, etc., there are other important measures that can be taken to protect your pets and other dogs from infection.

A puppy is best protected right after birth from parvovirus by the antibodies it receives from its vaccinated mother. Later the puppy should receive a complete series of puppy vaccinations, followed by yearly boosters. We recommend the following basic vaccination protocol for all dogs:

PARVOVIRUS/DISTEMPER/ADENOVIRUS/
PARAINFLUENZA/CORONA VIRUS COMBINATION VACCINE
(DHP-P-C VACCINE)

1.) The ideal puppy series:
        Doses given at 8, 12 and 15 weeks of age*--
        *AT LEAST 2 WEEKS APART AND NO MORE THAN 4 WEEKS APART
        *The last dose MUST be given after 14 weeks of age.
        --Then repeated at yearly intervals.

2.) Puppies over 12 weeks old or dogs which are already adults when the vaccination
        series is started:
        Two doses given at least 2-3 weeks apart*--
        *AT LEAST 2 WEEKS APART AND NO MORE THAN 4 WEEKS APART
        *The last does MUST be given after 14 weeks of age.
        --then repeated at yearly intervals.

It is unusual for a puppy or adult dog to get parvovirus after it has been properly vaccinated…but it is not impossible. There is a short period of time when the antibodies the puppy received from its mother are at low non-protective levels and are still circulated in his or her bloodstream. These can block the puppy’s own immune system from making antibodies to the vaccine. If the vaccinated puppy is exposed to infective parvovirus during this critical period, s/he may become sick. That is why it is important to complete the full puppy vaccination series.

The best way to avoid this scenario is to isolate your puppy from infective parvovirus exposure until s/he has completed the entire series of puppy vaccinations.

High-Risk Situations

If you know that there has been another puppy on the property or in the immediate vicinity that has had parvovirus infection, your new puppy is at a much greater risk of contracting parvovirus. If your puppy is more likely than usual to be exposed to this virus, these are our recommendations:

1.) Disinfect the area of the property that a new puppy or dog will potentially come into contact with before the animal gets there. Use a solution of one cup chlorine bleach to a gallon of water.

2.) Check on the new dog or puppy’s vaccination status. The new dog should be current on vaccinations against parvovirus (within the last year). If the new dog is a puppy, we strongly recommend that the puppy receive AT LEAST two doses of parvovirus vaccine, completed at least 2 WEEKS BEFORE it is introduced to the new household. It takes ate least 10-14 days for effective vaccination to elicit an initial protective immune system response. Then, finish the proper vaccination regime.

3.) Although adult dogs are generally more resistant to parvovirus infection and illness than are puppies, unvaccinated adult dogs are still at risk and should receive an initial series of two combination vaccines as described above.

4.) Some breeds of dogs appear to be more susceptible to parvovirus infection and it may be best to avoid these breeds in this situation. More susceptible breeds include Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and Labrador Retrievers.

5.) Take your new puppy or dog, a sample of its bowel movement, and any accompanying information from the previous owner and/or veterinarian directly to your current veterinarian for a check-up, intestinal parasite test, and vaccination update as soon as you get your new pet.

6.) We recommend additional parvovirus vaccinations to protect those puppies which are known or strongly suspected to be exposed to the parvovirus. See your veterinarian for details.

Conclusion

A puppy or adult dog in good general health will have the edge in surviving parvovirus infection. In addition to the preventative measures discussed above, it is important to consider the quality of care that the dog or puppy received at the previous owners' facility:  the quality of diet, the deworming regimen, the general environment and cleanliness. After you and your pet survive puppyhood, you can rest assured that the risk of parvovirus infection is very slight in healthy, vaccinated adult dogs. Keep up the good work!

For an appointment at Striegel Animal Hospital, please call (618) 457-4133.