Parvo is a highly contagious virus and potentially deadly virus that affects puppies and older adult dogs. If your puppy contracts parvo, it’ll likely need to be treated with antibiotics and monitored closely by a veterinarian.
Although there’s no vaccine for parvo yet available for dogs under six weeks old, there are steps you can take at home to help your dog fight off the virus. Overall the best way for pet owners to protect unvaccinated puppies against Parvovirus is by vaccinating them before they have contact with other dogs.
What is Parvovirus?
Parvo is a virus that attacks the small intestine, causing severe dehydration and blood loss. It’s highly contagious, especially in puppies under six months old (who are often too young to have been vaccinated). Symptoms of parvo include lethargy, severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, extreme gastrointestinal symptoms, depression, or lack of appetite. Without treatment, severe cases can result in death within two days.
How Do Puppies Get Parvo?
According to the AKC or American Kennel Club, “Puppies ages six weeks to six months of age are the most susceptible to parvo infection Puppies younger than six weeks old still retain some of their mother’s antibodies, assuming that the dam received her full series of parvo vaccinations.”
Until your puppy is fully vaccinated for parvo they can pick up this illness from other dogs at the following locations:
- Breeders
- Kennels
- Groomers
- Dog Parks
- Puppy Classes
- Doggy Day Care
How To Tell When your Puppy has Parvo
There are no real parvo symptoms until it’s too late; you might notice your puppy getting sicker after exposure to the virus. The only way to be sure your dog has parvo is by taking him/her in for testing at your vet’s office once the incubation period has elapsed (usually about three days).
Should I Visit The Vet if I Think My Dog Has Parvo?
If you think your dog has parvo, you should take them for veterinary care. It’s also a good idea to contact the breeder of your dog if you just recently brought your puppy home and any other dogs in your household or neighborhood. Your vet will be able to provide your puppy with the parvo treatment, which could include any of the following:
- a white rice diet
- plasma transfusions
- electrolytes
- and other supportive treatments
If your puppy is sick, it’s best to let the vet know right away so they can start treating him as soon as possible to give them the best chance of survival, because parvo is a severe disease in an unvaccinated puppy or dog of any age.
Can Dogs Die from Parvo?
Yes, dogs can die from parvo. It is not common for puppies to die from the disease, but it does happen. It all depends on how sick your puppy is and what type of treatment options you choose to pursue. According to a trusted source, “When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes. With proper treatment, complete recovery can approach 90%.”
Most deaths occur within the first 48-72 hours of the first symptom if your puppy has a severe case of parvo. When in doubt, check it out with your vet.
If you are looking at this article because your dog has been diagnosed with parvo and is currently battling the illness, several signs may indicate whether or not they will survive:
- Extreme Lethargy
- Lack of appetite (or eating very little)
- Extreme Vomiting or diarrhea (this is also one of the primary symptoms)
Home Treatment for Young Puppies With Parvo
The first thing you should do when your puppy is diagnosed with parvo is contacting your vet for instructions on how to best treat them. They will likely recommend that you take the puppy home and care for it there until they can come back to check on its condition. At this point, you can help make the puppy more comfortable by giving it a warm blanket, a simple diet, and lots of water, giving it painkillers if needed, and administering intravenous fluids if they are dehydrated, according to your vet’s advice.
Give your puppy lots of love, and try to keep them still and quiet as much as possible to speed up their recovery. During this time, there’s not much that you can do as an owner other than make sure your puppy is comfortable and well-hydrated by giving them plenty of water in their bowls and making sure that they’re getting plenty of rest.
If at all possible, try not to let them overexert themselves during this time – playtime should be kept short so as not to tire them out too much or give them too much opportunity for excitement or stress (like playing with another dog).
How To Tell If Your Puppy Will Survive Parvo
Only time will tell if your puppy will survive this illness. A puppy can fight off parvovirus within 6-7 days of contracting the virus. As noted above, over 90% of puppies contracting parvo will survive if they are treated immediately by a vet and have the proper ongoing care at home. If your puppy is displaying extreme signs of illness, there is a chance it will not survive the illness.
Once your dog has recovered, it will be up to you to decide when they are ready to go outside again. Your veterinarian may also have recommendations for how long you should keep your parvo puppies indoors and away from other dogs until they’ve fully recovered.
Is There a Parvo Vaccine for Puppies?
Sadly, the answer to this question is “no”. No vaccine can be given to puppies before they are 6 weeks old. This means that a puppy has to be at least 6 weeks old before it can receive its first parvo shot, then the following two shots at 8 weeks and 12 weeks old.
The reasons behind this lack of vaccine availability include:
- The vaccines available for use on puppies have not been tested enough to show how effective they are
- Before six weeks of age, puppies can have immunity from their mothers.
Can The Virus Be Prevented in Unvaccinated Puppies?
If you’re looking for a way to prevent parvovirus infection in your puppy, vaccination is the best option. Although vaccination will not protect against all strains of parvovirus, it is still very effective at preventing serious illness as well as death.
Vaccination can be done either as an adult dog or as a puppy; however, there are pros and cons to each option. Vaccinating a healthy adult dog has no adverse side effects, but puppies may have mild symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea after vaccination (this will pass within 24 hours). Puppies should be vaccinated between 6-8 weeks old, with three doses given 2-4 weeks apart.
The only other way to avoid parvo is to avoid crowded areas like kennels, parks, and groomers until your puppy is older and has a more developed immune system.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent this virus, you can reduce your dog’s risk by vaccinating them against Parvovirus. This vaccine protects against the most common strains of the disease and is available in combination shots with other common canine diseases such as distemper and hepatitis or separately at your local veterinarian’s office.
All dogs must be vaccinated at least once before they are 12 weeks of life, so it’s best not to wait until after your pet has been exposed to parvo before taking action!
THE WRAP
Parvo is a serious and highly contagious disease among dogs of all breeds, ages, shapes, and sizes. Understanding how to best protect your puppy against this potentially deadly disease is essential for a new dog owner.
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