How do dogs get parvo? Causes and Remedies

How Do Dogs Get Parvo? Causes and Remedies In 2024

How do dogs get parvo? What is parvo? When the infected puppy poops, the left out contains the parvovirus. Parvovirus could be very hardy outside its host, can continue to exist in winter, and is immune to common house cleaners. The virus enters the dog’s body through licking or getting into touch with infected objects or animals.

what is parvovirus Infection in dogs?

Canine parvovirus, typically called parvo, is a life-threatening intestinal disorder of younger puppies, even though immunocompromised and adolescent adult canines are also vulnerable to the infection.

One can prevent parvovirus with vaccination. Without it, parvo is 90% fatal. The most susceptible breeds which have more risk of getting infected with parvo are American pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers.

However, puppies are at maximum risk of getting the disease in the first few months of life.

The best thing in veterinary medicine is that the mortality rate has become as low as 5-20%. There are different medicines available that can protect your pooch from getting this hazardous disease. 

The virus usually takes 5-7 days to incubate before the symptoms of infection occur. However, this period may be as short as 3 days to as long as 14 days.

A few days after coming in contact, the virus starts to shed in excretions and may continue for up to two weeks, intermittently. In this approach, a canine can be contagious for as much as 30 days with Parvo.

Symptoms of parvo in dogs

The initial symptoms of parvovirus are

  • Lethargy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Fever

 After 2 days, these symptoms can be seen

  • Vomiting
  • Shock
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dehydration
  • Weakness

Stages of parvo in dogs

Stage 1 – Exposure to the virus

The virus can live for 1 year in the infected dog’s poop. This virus can easily pass to your pooch while he sniffs the feces or the infected dog’s butt. Therefore, when a dog is infected, he can shed this virus through poop for three weeks. 

Therefore, while going for a walk, there are fair chances that your pooch can get infected. 

Stage 2- Incubation

The incubation period is around 3 to 5 days. It is not possible to understand the infection at the early stage.

If you understand that your pooch has come in contact with an infected dog, then immediately. 

Stage 3 – Visual symptoms 

After 3 to 4 days, you can see the symptoms like

  • Diarrhoea
  • Low body temperature
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite

Stage 4 – Diagnosis

When you suspect your dog has parvo, it is better to take him to the vet immediately. The vet will do a clinical test to see if the virus is present. 

Stage 5 – Treatment

A canine can get better at home if the sickness is diagnosed in an early stage, and pills are prescribed by your vet.

Most often treatment starts with rehydration by using IV fluids to counter the lack of liquids that are lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.

Also, the management of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antispasmodics, and vitamins accompany the treatment.

However, in a few intense cases, there is a requirement for blood transfusions as a part of an aggressive remedy plan.

Stage 6 – Recovery

Young dogs getting better from Parvo can take anywhere between 14 days and 20 days, and that is true for older canines as well.

While in treatment and healing it will likely be crucial to separate your pet from other canines.

It may also be a very good concept to disinfect anything your canine makes use of in addition to the room your canine is staying in.

While in healing you may need to make sure that your canine is eating and consuming enough water.

How likely is a puppy to get parvo?

Puppies between 6 weeks to 6 months are the most vulnerable to parvo. Pups younger than 6 weeks still preserve a number of the antibodies of their mother, assuming that the dam acquired her complete set of parvo vaccinations.

Pups are vaccinated for parvo at about 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age. They are at risk of the sickness until they’ve acquired all 3 shots of their vaccination, this means that proprietors need to take greater precaution all through this time to save their dogs from contracting the virus.

Puppies have to obtain a dose of dog parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, irrespective of what number of doses they acquired earlier, to expand good enough protection.

The severity of parvo varies. The stress of weaning can result in an extra severe case of parvo in dogs, as stress weakens the immune system. A mixture of parvo and secondary contamination or a parasite also can result in an extra severe case of parvo in dogs.

Can puppies get parvo from cats?

No, puppies do not get parvo from cats. Both the animals have different strains of parvovirus.

The cat strain is called FPV (feline panleukopenia virus). It is a disease in the cat community and cannot pass to dogs.

But the same case is not in the reverse situation. Many studies show that cats can get parvovirus from dogs.

Can a dog be immune to parvo?

The great remedy for parvo is prevention. There are vaccinations available in an effort to prevent the sickness and maintain your puppy’s health. Young dogs need vaccines for parvovirus at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. 

A pup does not have full immunity to the disorder until its very last vaccination and may nevertheless contract the disorder after vaccination.  

If you’ve had a canine with parvo on your property it isn’t recommended that you bring the pup home till it has had its very last vaccination.

Once a pup has had a series of 3 shots, yearly boosters are endorsed to maintain immunity to the virus at its peak. The vaccinations are very powerful at stopping the disease and are much less costly than treating a canine for parvo.

How do you quarantine a dog with parvo?

If you have a vacant room, you can isolate your pooch there. It is better to use a wire-type pen, a large kennel, cage, etc so that your pooch does not roam in the whole room.

For your personal sake, make sanitization as smooth as possible. It is usually recommended to put down cardboard or a rug on the pinnacle of the floor.

Then, on top of that, tape down doggy pads to seize and soak up the canine’s vomit or faeces in the early levels of parvo. Puppy pads are smooth to roll up and swap out and you will probably be doing this in the early treatment segment in case your vet has sent your canine home.

Have a supply desk or delivery box (out of canine’s reach) full of your parvo killing cleanser of choice, rags, spray bottles, gloves, doggy pads, mask, paper overalls rubbish bags, a refillable water jug, or garments you are going to throw away.

How long should a dog with parvo be isolated?

The isolation period for parvo is about 3-5 days. But, this period can extend up to 14 days.

Therefore, the average quarantine period is usually for 14 days. This is for the safety of other animals as well.

Preventive measures for parvo

  1. Keep your pooch away from unvaccinated dogs
  2. Vaccinate your fido
  3. Keep the house clean
  4. Immediately rush to the vet when you see some parvo symptoms

Final words

Parvovirus is a very serious problem. If you do not treat your pooch on time then it can be fatal. As you already know, your doggy can easily get parvo just by coming in contact with an infected dog or its faeces. 

Therefore, it is better to give the parvo vaccine to your fido to make him secure from the deadly disease.