Parvovirus is the single most contagious disease in dogs, with several strains and spread in multiple ways with the ability to survive on clothing, food dishes and hands. The virus can also be transferred by insects, rodents and through infected faeces and is able to survive exposure to heat and other harsh environmental conditions.

Dogs are often vaccinated against the virus at an early age, and for most, this is adequate protection. However, some dogs still contract parvovirus and die from it despite having had vaccinations.

Infected dogs generally experience gastric enteritis, a serious intestinal issue causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting, fever and a lowered immunity against other diseases. Symptoms can vary from dog to dog with many adult dogs showing very few symptoms which can be deadly as the disease progresses rapidly and death can occur quickly.

Because there are other ailments that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, a vet will need to test the dog’s faeces or blood to ensure it is parvovirus.
Unfortunately, most infected dogs, and particularly puppies, will die. Infected animals are treated with fluids and electrolyte solutions to counteract the dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhoea in conjunction with medications to stop the vomiting and antibiotics to prevent additional bacterial infections.

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear, and it is important to take action within three days of exposure, even before the symptoms appear. The dog’s cage, food areas and areas it inhabits must be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution to kill the virus to prevent the infected animal spreading the disease through infected faeces.