parvo - can someone tell me about it please

[sb6699]

We are just back from a weekend away with our lab boy and have read on fb that there is a confirmed parvo outbreak - 2 dogs have apparently already died.

Can someone tell me the places it is most commonly found, is it countryside, town, beaches etc?

Also my boy is vaccinated but if he has been in contact with it can he still be carrying it AMD risk spreading it to an unvaccinated dog?

[daisydotandgertie]

Parvovirus can be passed from dog to dog by either direct dog to dog contact or via faeces via sniffing, shoes etc. An infected dog will leave a high virus concentration in faeces. The virus can live for 7/8 months out of the body. Regular household bleach will kill the virus - not much else will.

Unvaccinated dogs are at risk of the disease, and I assume that vaccinated dogs can carry the virus - although I know that if a dog has actually had the disease, it remains contagious for a further 2 or 3 months AFTER full recovery.

It is a very nasty disease and dogs MUST be vaccinated against it. If an owner is stupid enough to run the risk or not vaccinating, there is very little anyone can do to help them avoid the disease.

Honestly, I can't imagine what sort of person would be that foolish.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Vaccinated dogs can still get it, particularly younger dogs, but they often get a less serious strain of the virus.

My sister's vaccinated lurcher got it and almost died. He's still not fully recovered now and it will have been nearly a year ago now. Fortunately he will live but the damage to his organs is unknown and may cause problems for him later in life.

It's very, very serious and you must act super quick if you think your dog has it.

Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vommiting and a strong odour in the feaces.

If you suspect your dog is even so much as a 'bit under weather' take him to the vets to be on the safe side. Parvo can kill very quickly. Often by the time you realise your dog has it it is too late to treat them successfully

[MightyNice]

how do people NOT vaccinate? it's not even expensive

[sb6699]

Thank you daisydot, if it can live for that long outside the body its no wonder we have never been able to eradicate this virus!

Dooin - thankfully my boy seems fine and I'm not worried about him having it, more if he could be healthy but still pass it on. I didnt know a vaccinated dog could still get it though, that's scarey :(

[Elsathelion]

OP I had a lovely lab who died of parvovirus at 7 months despite being vaccinated so I second the advice to be vigilant. FWIW you can get parvo-virucide disinfectant which our vet gave us to clean things our pup had been near that we couldn't bleach.

Sounds like your dog is ok though, just keep an eye out.

Our vet told us vaccinated dogs can carry it and she said it can live in the soil for 18 months.

Glad your pooch is well!

[sb6699]

Oh elsa, that's heartbreaking :(

[Elsathelion]

Thanks sb yes it was devastating, but the vet told us that as the vaccine hadn't taken, we were lucky to have him for so long as most dogs for whom it doesn't work don't last more than a few weeks

He was a gorgeous boy so the experience has turned me into a bit of a parvovirus nutter as I want everyone to know about it!

Xx