Definition of Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus infection (CPV) is a severe and highly contagious disease that predominantly affects puppies but also can infect unvaccinated adults.
How Parvovirus Infection Affects Dogs
It generally takes 6-10 days from the time of infection for signs of parvovirus to appear. Affected dogs become lethargic, stop eating, start vomiting and develop profuse, bloody, explosive and smelly diarrhea accompanied by dramatic and rapid weight loss. Abdominal pain, dehydration and shock are common. If treatment is not started swiftly, the chance of survival becomes slim.
Causes of Canine Parvovirus Infection
Dogs acquire parvovirus by direct oral contact with fecal matter from an infected animal. Once ingested, viral particles travel to and replicate within the tonsils, lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissue. Within 2-4 days, the virus enters the blood stream and travels to bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues. Once this viremia occurs, the infected dog starts shedding virus in its feces. Importantly, infected animals do not show clinical signs of disease for 6-10 days post-infection, although they begin shedding virus in a matter of days. Parvovirus is extremely hardy and can survive in the environment – and remain infective - for many months. It is highly contagious to other dogs.
Preventing Parvoviral Infection
Unvaccinated dogs, immunocompromised dogs and very young puppies with inadequate maternal immunity are at the greatest risk of contracting parvoviral disease. Accordingly, the best way to prevent infection is to let puppies nurse on their mothers soon after birth and freely thereafter, immunize puppies serially until they are at least 12 weeks old, keep vaccinations current and take appropriate steps to keep dogs otherwise immunologically healthy. Owners should not take puppies to places frequented by other dogs until their puppy vaccination series is complete.
Special Notes
Prompt and aggressive treatment is essential to for dogs infected by parvovirus. Even with appropriate treatment, death rates can approach 30%. The importance of completing your veterinarian’s vaccination protocol cannot be overemphasized.