Parvovirus

Parvovirus is a life-threatening and extremely contagious viral disease in dogs. Most severely affecting a dog's gastrointestinal system, parvovirus is a serious and deadly disease, transmitted by anyone or anything that comes into direct contact with an infected animal's feces. The particularly hardy virus may live for months on dog bowls, shoes, carpets and in hair. It can also be found in your environment for the same duration, most notably on the street, in the grass, or in a park where dogs may roam and play. 

Parvo symptoms typically present with lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. Puppies and younger, unvaccinated dogs are most susceptible to parvo. Occasionally, an infected animal initially may show no clinical signs of infection, making it especially difficult to prevent further spreading of this highly contagious disease.

In order to best protect your pet, our healthcare professionals initially administer the parvo vaccine in a series dependent upon the dog's age, then at one year after the last vaccine in the puppy series. Afterward, the parvo vaccine is boostered every 3 years in an effort to continually reduce your pet's risk of contagion.

We welcome any of your questions about parvovirus and the parvo vaccine. We look forward to talking to you about how we may protect your pet as soon as possible.