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New Puppy Essentials: Parvovirus Vaccination and Prevention

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Who doesn’t love a sweet, cuddly, fluffy puppy? While they may be irresistible and lots of fun, new puppies can also be a lot of work. One fundamental responsibility is protecting your little one from serious diseases, including parvovirus. “Parvo” is highly contagious and can be deadly, affecting a puppy’s gastrointestinal (GI) system and suppressing their immune system.

Appropriately timed parvo vaccinations can protect puppies from the disease and its deadly effects. Here, we share facts new puppy owners should know about parvo, including how puppies get the disease, symptoms, treatments, and Fear Free® prevention strategies.

What is parvovirus?

Parvo is a viral disease that primarily affects young puppies and unvaccinated young adult dogs. The virus attacks the GI system, causing severe lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Normal bacteria that live in the GI tract can leak through the damaged gut walls, causing life-threatening infection throughout the body (i.e., sepsis).

Parvo is extremely hardy in the environment and can live for several months under the right conditions. Puppies are exposed to parvo when they contact an infected dog or contaminated surface, such as bowls, toys, floors, or bedding. Some breeds, including Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, bully breeds, German shepherds, and English springer spaniels, appear at higher risk for the disease.

Parvovirus signs

Although prevention is best, knowing how to spot parvo signs is important. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely your puppy will survive. Call your Fear Free Certified Veterinarian right away if you notice the following:

  • Frequent vomiting
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Bloody or foul-smelling diarrhea
  • Appetite loss
  • Dehydration signs (e.g., sunken eyes, dry gums)
  • Pain signs (e.g., reluctance to move, hunched posture)

Parvovirus treatment

Most puppies who contract parvo are extremely sick and require intensive care in an isolation ward. Treatment for parvo involves neutralizing the virus and supporting the puppy’s body from the destruction already caused by the virus. Parvo treatments may include:

  • Intravenous fluids to combat dehydration
  • Antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections
  • Anti-nausea medications to reduce vomiting
  • Special nutrition to support caloric needs
  • Elanco Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA), the first and only USDA-conditionally approved monoclonal antibody treatment that targets canine parvovirus, stopping the virus in its tracts, improving outcomes and decreasing severity of parvo infections.

Unfortunately, some puppies may die despite treatment, and up to 91% of puppies who don’t receive treatment will die.1 And, recovery can be a long road, despite treatment going according to plan. The damaged gut lining and altered microbiome typical in “parvo puppies” can take weeks or months to resolve. Although surviving dogs have life-long immunity, your veterinarian may still recommend the parvo vaccine to ensure your puppy is completely protected after recovery.

Parvovirus prevention checklist

Although parvo treatment has come a long way, survival often requires intensive care, isolation, and a large veterinary bill. As a puppy parent, parvo prevention should be a top priority.

Here is our parvo prevention checklist:

  • Schedule parvo vaccination — Parvovirus vaccination is highly effective, but only when administered before possible disease exposures. Parvo vaccination should begin around 6 to 8 weeks old. Your Fear Free Certified® Veterinarian will use various tools and techniques to reduce stress during puppy vaccine visits, such as the Elanco® TruCan™ Ultra vaccine line. TruCan Ultra vaccines contain half the fluid volume of traditional vaccines, so administration is quicker and more comfortable.
  • Don’t skip parvo vaccination boosters — Puppies need parvo vaccine boosters every two to four weeks until they reach at least 16 to 20 weeks old. Skipping doses leaves your puppy vulnerable to infection.
  • Avoid exposure to public places — Avoid taking puppies to public places that other dogs visit, such as parks or pet stores, until your puppy receives at least two parvo vaccine boosters.
  • Use good hygiene — Wash your hands frequently before and after handling your puppy to reduce the risk of accidentally exposing your pup to parvovirus or other infectious diseases. This is especially important if you work or live with or around dogs.
  • Socialize safelySocialization is critical for young puppies, but can risk exposing them to diseases their immune systems aren’t yet prepared to fight. Reduce parvo exposure risk by socializing your puppy only with well-known, vaccinated adult dogs until you get the all-clear from your vet.

Parvo vaccination is the best way to protect young puppies from life-threatening illnesses and give them the healthiest start possible. With Elanco’s TruCan Ultra parvo and combination vaccines, puppies receive a Fear Free® vaccination experience, setting them up for a lifetime of positive veterinary visits and cooperative care. Find a Fear Free Certified Practice or Veterinarian and schedule your pup’s next vaccine visit.

If your puppy happens to get parvo, visit stopparvo.com to find a veterinarian near you that carries CPMA, Elanco’s first and only treatment for parvo.

This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.

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Sources:
1. Horecka K, Porter S, Amirian ES, et. al (2020). A decade of treatment of canine parvovirus in an animal shelter: A retrospective study. Animals, May 29;10(6):939. doi: 10.3390/ani10060939.

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