Parvovirus Fact Sheet

• Contagious to dogs, not people.
• Signs include vomiting, fever and diarrhea which may be bloody with a very foul odor, all of which can lead to dehydration.
• The virus may attack the heart muscle causing myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
• The younger the dog, the greater the chance that he or she will NOT recover.
• The virus is transmitted through the feces of an infected dog. It can be carried on dog's hair and feet as well as live on contaminated rugs, bedding, shoes and other objects.
• Dogs with canine parvovirus infection shed massive amounts of virus in the feces.
• Death from Parvo may result from:
  • Dehydration
  • Overwhelming bacterial infection from the pet's lowered resistance.
  • Blood loss from internal hemorrhage.
  • Heart attack from invasion of the heart muscle by the virus.
• Treatment is aimed at providing suppportive care because the is no cure for this animal virus.

Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your dog against Parvovirus.