A canine parvovirus diagnosis can strike fear in the heart of any dog owner, many of whom understand the severity of this extremely contagious disease. But, if you know the ins and outs of canine parvovirus, from transmission to the best disease protection methods, you can effectively defend your furry pal against this threat.

What is canine parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus is a highly infectious virus, similar to the feline panleukopenia virus. In fact, the canine form is thought to have evolved from the feline form. This virus is known for causing gastrointestinal illness in unvaccinated puppies and dogs, and for rapidly proving fatal. 

Parvovirus attacks the body’s rapidly dividing cells, hitting the bone marrow and intestinal walls the hardest. In young puppies, the heart can also be affected. The virus affects the body’s ability to produce white blood cells, which are essential for the body’s defense against infection, and destroys intestinal lining, which allows gut bacteria to seep into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, shock, and severe dehydration.

How can my dog get parvovirus?

Your dog can be infected with parvovirus one of two ways—direct or indirect transmission:

  • Direct — Transmission occurs when your dog sticks their nose in a pile of infective feces, or ingests particles of virus-containing feces.
  • Indirect — Transmission occurs via fomite exposure, such as contact with contaminated bowls, bedding, surfaces, or clothing.

Parvovirus transmission also can occur through contact with an infected dog, although the dog may appear healthy. Virus particles can be shed in the feces four to five days after initial exposure, and up to 10 days following recovery from illness.

How will I know if my dog has parvovirus?

When your dog first becomes ill, clinical signs will be nonspecific, such as lying around more, not wanting to eat, and feeling warm to the touch. However, the disease quickly progresses, and will lead to vomiting and bloody diarrhea in 24 to 48 hours.

How is canine parvovirus diagnosed?

The most common parvovirus diagnosis method is a rapid test that can detect parvovirus proteins and yield results in 10 minutes. We can perform the test in our hospital, but while the test is easy and can be performed quickly, false positive or negative results are occasionally produced. A fecal sample can be sent to an outside laboratory for diagnosis confirmation. 

Rather than wait on an outside laboratory’s results, we also can run a complete blood count (CBC) to assess your dog’s white blood cell count. A low cell count and a positive rapid in-house test result strongly suggest a parvovirus diagnosis. 

How is canine parvovirus treated?

Parvovirus treatment focuses on supportive nursing care to maintain adequate hydration and nutrition, which can be achieved through intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SQ) fluids through a feeding tube. Antiemetic medication is typically warranted, and antibiotics may be necessary. A blood transfusion also may be required to boost low blood cell counts.

While parvovirus treatment has traditionally centered around treating clinical signs, a new therapy targets the virus itself. Canine parvovirus monoclonal antibody binds and blocks the virus from destroying the intestinal tract cells, which effectively halts the disease process, instead of simply focusing on vomiting and diarrhea treatment. This intravenous injection should be administered as soon as a diagnosis is reached to help ensure the best outcome and shorten the hospitalization stay.

How can I prevent my dog from getting parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus is not only highly contagious, but also an exceptionally hardy pathogen that can resist many common disinfectants. Canine parvovirus can linger on indoor surfaces for two months and, if protected from sunlight and drying out, months to years outside. If your dog is infected with parvovirus, we do not recommend that you welcome another family pet for several weeks or months to avoid potential exposure.

To protect your dog from parvovirus, ensure they remain up to date on their vaccinations. Parvovirus vaccination is included in the core vaccination series for puppies, and will be continued throughout an adult dog’s life to ensure lifelong protection against multiple parvovirus strains. While your puppy is growing and going through their initial vaccination series, avoid areas such as pet stores and heavily trafficked local parks, where unvaccinated dogs may be present. Instead, enroll your puppy in a puppy class, where all attendees must be appropriately vaccinated to prevent infection.

Although parvovirus is highly infectious and can be deadly, the disease can easily be prevented through appropriate vaccination. Ensure your canine companion remains safe from the threat of parvovirus by scheduling an appointment with our Chiefland Animal Hospital team.