Parvo Positive... what now?

With the recent outbreak in parvo we wanted to address some common questions we have heard and what the answers are.  Have more questions, comment on the blog and we will address them. 

How can my dog catch Parvo?

Quite simply exposure to the fecal material of a positive dog or a carrier can result in transmission of the disease.  Dogs carry fecal material on their feet and fur often when they are young and in large groups making transfer very easy.  Fecal oral transmission can occur with any dog. 

What are the symptoms of Parvo?

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Anorexia
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Dehydration

How can I prevent my puppy from catching Parvo? 

Isolation and vaccination are the only two ways to prevent your puppy from being at risk for catching the parvo virus.  When dogs are young and unvaccinated they are at high risk and this is why we recommend keeping young pets isolated and off city streets and out of parks ect.  Until your puppy receives their final booster or has a strong titre they are considered at risk.  

Someone I know has been in contact with me and they have the virus, what should I do next?

Bleach effectively kills the parvo virus and is used in clinics world wide during outbreaks.  Clean every surface that person touched, walked on and had their pets.  You can use a weak bleach solution safely on dog runs and yards even.  

How long is my puppy contagious for?

The standard time frame is approximately 10 days after symptoms subside dogs are considered to be no longer shedding the virus.  They shed the virus for 4-5 days prior to any symptoms are present so this puts many dogs at risk if you are taking unvaccinated pets out of the home.  If you think your puppy has been exposed and may be a carrier or is developing symptoms they need to be quarantined completely and kept off the ground anywhere any other dogs may be, especially unvaccinated  dogs