Has your canine buddy been vaccinated against parvo? If you aren’t sure, you may want to reach out to your vet. As you may have seen, there have been some parvo outbreaks recently, including one in Michigan, just over the border. A local Burlington, ON vet lists some of the things you should be aware of in this article.

There Are Four Stages

The four stages of parvo are infection, incubation, illness, and recovery. It takes about from the time of infection for Fido to show symptoms. The chances of death are highest 2 to 3 days after symptoms start.

It’s Extremely Contagious

One reason that parvo is so concerning is because it spreads very, very easily. Fido can catch it via dog-to-dog contact, by playing or even sniffing another pooch. However, the virus also remains active on surfaces for a long time, regardless of heat, cold, or humidity levels. Basically, your canine pal could get infected by someone who patted a pup with Parvo and then touched him. The virus can also be spread via bowls or contaminated surfaces or bedding.

Certain Spots Are Red Zones

Because dogs catch parvo from each other, any spot where there are or have been a lot of pooches around can be dangerous. This includes parks, kennels, shelters and grooming salons.

Puppies Are Particularly At Risk

If your furry friend is a puppy, you’ll need to be extra careful. Fido won’t be fully protected until he has finished his series of vaccines. Until your vet gives you the all-clear, keep your little buddy away from any potential hot spots.

There Is No Cure

This one is very sobering. There are no drugs that will defeat parvovirus. Treatment is aimed at keeping Fido strong enough to fight it off himself.

Early Treatment Is Crucial

There is some good news here: Many dogs do survive parvo. Fido may make a full recovery! However, the odds of survival are much higher for pups that are in decent health and get treated quickly.

There Are Symptoms

Some red flags to watch for include fever; vomiting; lack of appetite; chills/low body temperature; diarrhea, which may be bloody; and lethargy. Fido may also seem bloated, and he may not be interested in play. As your local Burlington, ON animal clinic, we’re here to help! Please feel free to contact us anytime!