2 minute read
“We saw the cutest little Pitbull puppy who had parvo,” recalls Dr Ashlyn Spring, a veterinarian at Goodheart Cherry Creek. He had to be hospitalized for a week, get fluids, and receive medications to get him through the worst of the symptoms. “Now he’s doing great,” she says. There are good stories with happy endings like this one. Yet, parvo can be deadly.
Since parvo is difficult to treat and easy to prevent, we have tips!
Parvo is transferred to unvaccinated dogs of all ages through poop. So, when unprotected pets relieve themselves in public spaces like parks and sidewalks, traces of this virus are left behind. This puts unvaccinated dogs at risk.
Let’s keep your dog safe. Whether you just adopted a puppy or an older dog, ensure your pet is vaccinated against parvo to avoid this life-threatening disease.
“Parvo is a viral disease that is spread dog-to-dog,” says Dr Spring. “It’s highly contagious and is something that can live in the environment for a long time.”
The virus targets a dog’s digestive system. Puppies under 16 weeks are especially vulnerable since their immune systems are still developing and they’re not yet fully vaccinated.
“It’s scary,” says Dr Spring. A dog “can get it just from going on a walk and stepping on dirt that has the virus.” Parvo can live on surfaces like grass and sidewalks for a year.
How Does Parvo Affect Dogs?
The virus attacks the cells in your dog’s intestines, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration. Without quick treatment, parvo can be fatal.
Treatment often means days in the hospital with round-the-clock fluids. Unfortunately, some puppies still don’t pull through.
On top of the emotional toll, treatment can cost thousands of dollars. The bottom line? It’s a lot easier (and far less expensive) to prevent parvo with vaccines.
What Symptoms Should You Watch For?
Typically, these are puppies or dogs who are unvaccinated. If your dog shows signs of:
- Extreme tiredness (more than the usual puppy naps)
- A lack of interest in eating
- Vomiting
- Severe, often bloody diarrhea
…it’s time to call your vet. Catching these symptoms early could save your dog’s life.
How Can You Protect Your Puppy?
The best protection against parvo is vaccination.
Puppies need a series of vaccines, starting as early as possible and continuing every three to four weeks until they’re about 16 weeks old.
If your puppy got their first shot from a breeder or shelter at six weeks, they’ll still need two or three more to be fully protected.
3 Tips to Protect Your Dog:
Vaccinate! “I’ve never seen a vaccinated (for this virus) dog…get parvo,” says Dr Spring.
Socializing your pup is so important. Yet, it’s best to schedule playdates with older, vaccinated pets in a private backyard where no unvaccinated dogs have pooped. Keep your puppy away from parks or
public spaces.
“Remember to balance socializing your pet at a young age with keeping them healthy,” adds Dr Beth Spencer, Medical Director at Goodheart Broadway. “They need to learn how to walk on a leash and listen to loud/scary noises in the neighborhood when they aren’t fully vaccinated. Find a less traveled area to do that. Please don’t take them to the park,” she says.
If you take them to a restaurant or store, hold them so their feet don’t touch the ground.
No. Good news—humans can’t catch parvo from dogs. However, you can unknowingly carry the virus on your shoes, hands, or clothing if you’ve been in a contaminated area, so be mindful when handling your puppy.
Do Cats Get Parvo?
Not exactly. Cats can catch a similar virus called feline panleukopenia, but it’s not the same as canine parvo. Like dogs, though, cats should be vaccinated to protect against it.
Adopting a new puppy is exciting! Among the many things you’ll need to consider (food, sleeping, socializing, training) is preventing canine parvovirus, or “parvo.” Keeping your puppy safe from parvo can feel like a balancing act between socializing and staying cautious. And that’s ok!
Vaccinating on schedule, avoiding public spaces, and only allowing play with vaccinated pets will keep your puppy healthy and happy during these critical early months. Parvo is serious. We’re here to help
Call us if you just adopted a new dog (or cat). You can also choose your appointment time online. Goodheart is here for you 24/7.