Parvo Watch: How to Keep Your Pet Healthy

Parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that affects hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats each year, especially puppies and kittens who have yet to receive their vaccinations. The virus, also known as CPV or CPV2, is far more common in dogs, meaning those who are bringing home a new puppy need to be careful to avoid exposure. Here’s what new dog owners need to know about this dangerous but preventable disease.

How Parvo Works

Puppies and unvaccinated dogs most commonly pick up parvo from contaminated ground and then licking their paws. The virus itself is found in animal feces and is extremely hardy, able to survive in fecal material for years and even settle into the dirt. For this reason, many cases of parvo are contracted in urban areas from ground in heavily-trafficked kennels and other unkempt animal holding areas. The fact that parvo can be lurking in any patch of ground is a big reason why owners of unvaccinated animals need to be extra careful and get their pet vaccinated as soon as they’re able.

The parvo virus typically presents within four to ten days of exposure and causes lethargy, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The symptoms result from the virus damaging the animal’s intestinal lining, which can also result in secondary infections. If you notice any of the parvo symptoms in your pet, it is imperative you take them to the vet for a CPV test right away—the success of treatment often depends on how early the virus is detected.

Parvo is less common in adult pets, as most receive vaccinations when they are young. However, unvaccinated animals can pick up parvo simply by trotting across contaminated ground, so it’s best to proceed with caution if you have an unvaccinated puppy. Keep puppies indoors as much as possible until they’re able to be vaccinated.

Treating Parvo

Until the early 2020s, there was no direct treatment for parvo; vets would do their best to mitigate symptoms and help the dog fight off the disease. But recent veterinary advancements have produced a monoclonal antibody treatment for parvo (CPMA); this one-time injection attacks the virus directly and stops it from spreading into the gut, where it does most of its damage. Vets can also offer supportive care to relieve the symptoms, such as IV fluids to stave off dehydration, and treat secondary infections.

Even though there is now a direct treatment option, early detection of parvo remains critical to bring effective symptom relief and give your pet the best chance to recover. CPMA treatment has a success rate above 90 percent, but left untreated, fatality rates for parvo can be just as high.

Schedule Your CPV Vaccine at Coyote Ridge

Coyote Ridge is well aware of the dangers of parvo and works to stay on the cutting edge of treating this stubborn disease. In 2024, our clinic in Fort Collins became the main source of CPMA for Colorado State University’s veterinary department when they ran out of their own supply. If you have a new puppy in northern Colorado, schedule an appointment with Coyote Ridge Veterinary Clinic to make sure they’re vaccinated against parvo and other common diseases.