Canine parvovirus, known simply as dog parvo, is a highly contagious illness that affects dogs. Dog parvo symptoms can be so severe that, left untreated, they can cause death or permanent disability.

Dog parvo didn’t appear as an illness until the late 1970’s when it spread like wildfire throughout the United States and Europe. The virus is spread through contact with other dogs or dog feces (waste). Dog parvo symptoms are especially severe in puppies, senior dogs, dogs whose immune systems are already compromised due to illness and dogs that are under stress.

There are two forms of dog parvo that produce varying symptoms. One form is intestinal and is relatively common, effecting nearly 8 out of 10 dogs. The less common form of dog parvo affects the cardiovascular system of puppies.

The intestinal form of dog parvo produces symptoms that are similar to any intestinal infection; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although most animals who are affected by these dog parvo symptoms recover completely, there is some danger of dehydration, shock, and death if the parvo symptoms are not treated immediately. A dog affected by dog parvo symptoms can remain contagious for two months after recovering from the illness may also remain a carrier of the disease even after it appears to have recovered. The intestinal form of dog parvo symptoms take about three weeks to resolve. Any dog that has had dog parvo symptoms should be kept away from other dogs and any other dogs that the sick dog has come into contact with should be tested and/or vaccinated immediately.

The much more severe, but less common, cardiac form of dog parvo effects puppies before they are born. A puppy that is infected with cardiac dog parvo is in danger until he has reached about 8 weeks of age. At this time the puppy is better able to fight the symptoms of dog parvo and the immediate danger of heart damage has likely passed. A puppy affected by the cardiac form may not display any recognizable dog parvo symptoms, but rather may die suddenly after a brief period of breathing difficulty.

Although the incidence of cardiac dog parvo has been reduced significantly due to the conscientious vaccinating of dogs by breeders, the intestinal form continues to plague many pet owners. A dog that has contracted canine parvovirus will develop dog parvo symptoms within about a week to ten days. Dog parvo symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea (often bloody). This combination of dog parvo symptoms can lead to dehydration which, left untreated, leads to an imbalance in important electrolytes, critical damage to the lining of the intestines, and toxins flooding the dog’s bloodstream. As a natural result of these dog parvo symptoms, the dog’s white blood cell count drops, rendering the animal unable to fight off the infection. These severe dog parvo symptoms leave the unvaccinated dog in danger of shock and subsequent death.

The treatment of dog parvo symptoms may include simple rehydration, medications to relieve discomfort and stop diarrhea in mild cases to hospitalization, the administration of intravenous fluids containing electrolytes, B-complex vitamins, dextrose and potassium chloride, and a possible blood transfusion from a dog who has successfully survived a bout with dog parvo symptoms to jump-start the sick dog’s immune system.

Dog parvo symptoms can only be prevented with regular vaccinations. Puppies should be first vaccinated at eight weeks and then should receive about two boosters, one every three to four weeks until the puppy has reached about sixteen weeks of age. Adult dogs (or dogs that were not vaccinated initially as puppies) should receive a series of three vaccinations, three to four weeks apart. A dog that has received an initial series of vaccinations (as a puppy or as an older dog) should then receive a booster one year later, and then every three years after that.

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