Understanding Parvo in Dogs and Puppies

Canine parvovirus (CPV), often called “parvo," is a highly contagious, life-threatening virus that affects dogs.¹ CPV was first found in Europe in the 1970s and is thought to be a genetic mutation of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV).¹ Parvo can also affect wild animals like coyotes and wolves, but has also been found in raccoons, foxes and skunks.¹ Despite the development of a vaccine in the late 1970s,¹ parvo still occurs frequently in unvaccinated dogs.²

Continue reading to learn about what parvovirus is, how parvo is diagnosed and treated (including the costs of treatment) and how to prevent this deadly — yet common — disease.

What Is Canine Parvo?

Canine parvovirus is an infectious virus that attacks the body's rapidly dividing cells, like the intestinal tract, bone marrow and sometimes the heart muscle cells. It's found mostly in unvaccinated puppies, but older dogs and unvaccinated adult dogs can also contract the virus.²

How Do Dogs Get Parvo?

While CPV is not airborne, it is easily transferred onto surfaces by contaminated feces. That said, the virus can survive for months and is resistant to many disinfectants (bleach is just about the only thing that kills it), which means a dog can pick it up on the ground, in kennels, at doggie day care, on people's hands or clothes — anything that could have been contaminated.²

A dog of any age can catch parvo, but unvaccinated puppies less than four months old are most at risk. The parvo vaccine is part of a puppy's routine shots, starting at six weeks old, but your puppy isn't fully covered until they receive their final vaccine at around 16 weeks.¹

CPV cannot make humans sick and dogs can't get the human version of parvo from people, but the virus is still easily transferred via hands, clothing or shoes.²

Parvo Symptoms in Dogs

Like most viral infections, there are three stages to parvo: infection, incubation and illness.

1. Infection: The puppy or dog is exposed to the virus by ingesting fecal matter.²
2. Incubation: During the three- to seven-day incubation period, the puppy or dog is infected but not yet showing symptoms. The virus starts attacking the tonsils and lymph nodes in the throat. From there, it invades the white blood cells and enters the bloodstream, where it is free to go after the rapidly dividing cells in the lining of the small intestine and bone marrow.¹
3. Illness: At this point, the virus prevents the dog's gastrointestinal (GI) tract from working properly and being able to absorb nutrients and fluids, resulting in symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, severe dehydration, sepsis and fever.²

If a dog does die from parvo, it's likely from dehydration, shock or sepsis.¹

Diagnosing Canine Parvo

The most common way for a veterinarian to test for canine parvo is with a fecal ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test. Fecal matter is added to the testing chamber, followed by a color-changing liquid that then determines whether the sample is positive or negative for the virus. Results are available after approximately 15 minutes, but can occasionally produce false positive or false negative results.¹

Another type of test that is more reliable is called a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, but this method takes longer to get a result because the fecal sample has to be sent to a laboratory for testing.¹

To confirm a positive result, the veterinarian may take a blood sample. A low white blood cell count plus a positive test result will most often lead to a definitive CPV diagnosis.¹

Canine Parvo Treatments

The highest rate of death is in the first 24 to 72 hours after symptoms present themselves, so it's essential to get your puppy or dog to the veterinarian immediately if you notice any symptoms of parvo in your unvaccinated pet. If caught early, the survival rate is around 75% to 80%.²

There is no cure for parvo² — nor are there any at-home remedies² — so parvo treatment revolves around supporting the dog and managing the symptoms through veterinary care.¹ This usually involves a hospital stay so they can receive intravenous fluids, and may also involve antibiotics, a feeding tube² and medications to help with vomiting and diarrhea.¹ The hospital stay typically ranges from five to seven days, but the treatment plan depends on the severity of the illness.²

If they receive swift treatment, most dogs will recover and have lifelong immunity against that particular strain.¹

Cost of canine parvo treatments

The cost of CPV treatment varies based on the severity and complexity of treatment, your location, access to veterinary care and whether or not you have pet insurance. Expect to pay anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars if hospitalization is required,² with hospitalization averaging $600 per night and medications averaging $20 to $100 or more.³ You can expect around $1,000 to $1,500 at minimum if you do not have pet insurance.²

Preventing Canine Parvo With the Parvo Vaccine

The number one way to prevent your puppy or dog from getting CPV is to have them vaccinated. The parvo vaccine is typically given as part of a combination of shots including distemper, canine adenovirus and parainfluenza (called DAPP, DA2PP, DHPP, etc.).¹

The vaccine is recommended every three to four weeks from six to eight weeks of age up to 16 to 20 weeks of age, and then a booster after the first year, followed by a booster every three years after that.¹ While not impossible, it is very unlikely that a vaccinated dog will get parvo, making it the best line of defense.²

Your dog may experience some mild side effects after getting a vaccine, including redness or swelling, a mild fever, decreased activity levels or loss of appetite. If symptoms persist more than 24 hours or your dog has a more extreme reaction (hives, collapsing, difficulty breathing, swollen face, persistent vomiting or diarrhea), call your vet.⁴

Other Ways to Prevent Canine Parvo

Some veterinarians will recommend that your puppy only interact with vaccinated dogs or in a carefully controlled puppy play class until they are fully vaccinated. Dog parks are a no-no for puppies who are not yet fully vaccinated.²

If you do find that your yard and/or home has been infected with CPV, clean indoor surfaces with a solution of one part bleach mixed with approximately 30 parts water. Your yard will naturally dilute and disinfect with rain and sunlight, but it will take a few weeks.¹

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dogs

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your dog's vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.* Apply today and continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace and more.