Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Dr. Julie
My dog has survived Parvo; now what? If your puppies have had parvo, you might be concerned if the virus will re-infect your pet again.
In this article, we will look closely at parvo and its effects on your pets.
As a pet owner, your concerns about parvovirus are genuine since it’s a deadly disease to pups. It survives quite a long time in your home and yard even killing a second puppy you may bring in after the death of the first.
Let’s first take a look at this virus and how it infects dogs to help us understand the dynamics better in order to take precautionary methods.
Table of Contents
What Is Parvo Virus?
Parvo or Canine parvoviral enteritis is caused by a virus transmitted between dogs through direct contact with other infected animals, their saliva, or faeces.
Parvo is also transmitted through the hands and clothes of people who pet an infected dog and then touch another dog. This virus is very contagious and very hardy. It can survive in your yard or home environment for a year or more.
What Dog Breeds Are Affected By Parvo?
It is important to note that any breed of dog can contract the parvovirus.
Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire terriers are especially highly susceptible to this virus. The very high risk for infection is young puppies between 2 and 6 months. The disease is not transmissible to people or other pets like cats.
Signs Of An Infected Dog
Dogs infected with parvo become ill very quickly! They stop eating and start vomiting, eventually developing severe diarrhea. Parvovirus attacks the cells that line the intestinal wall causing severe, sometimes bloody diarrhea and some sloughing of the intestinal wall.
There is about an 80% survival rate for animals that receive in-hospital care. The treatment for this virus in vet hospitals consists of providing antibiotics to prevent other bacterial infections, intravenous fluids to keep the animal well hydrated, and overall good nursing care.
Severely infected animals may require a blood transfusion of plasma from a healthy dog to help them recover. In-hospital treatment is very expensive but worth it to save the life of your pet.
Note that there is no specific cure for parvo, the dog must therefore receive supportive care through intravenous fluids until it fights off the virus and is able to eat and drink without vomiting.
Your puppy will stay in hospital for about 3 to14 days. The average stay is 5 to 7 days for the pup to recover and be out of danger. Remember every case is different; some dogs are severely affected while others are not.
You cannot predict how long your pet will need to stay at the hospital or whether it will survive or not. Even with the best parvo treatment, some dogs will die of other complications of this disease like twisted or perforated intestines. However, the majority of dogs treated in the hospital for parvo will survive.
My Dog Has Survived Parvo Now What?
Can a dog get parvo twice? Once your pet has recovered from the parvovirus it is not likely that it will get it again.
After infection and healing, immunity to the disease lasts for several years. Most dogs recovering from the disease have no long-term effects of parvo.
When your pet starts their journey to recovery, they will shed the virus in their faeces for up to 6 weeks after treatment. During this time, you should keep the pet on your own property and away from other dogs.
The place where a parvo dog is kept will have live virus alive and present for over a year. Do not bring unvaccinated animals onto the same premises for at least 2-3 years. The parvovirus can be transmitted through the hands, shoes, and clothes of people touching one dog and then going to another home and touching another dog.
Be careful not to pet or touch any unvaccinated dogs for at least 6 weeks after a dog has recovered from parvo. Use bleach to wash clothes worn when petting a sick dog or washing the dogs’ living area as it kills the virus.
The Best Treatment For Parvo
The best treatment for parvo is prevention!
There are available vaccinations that prevent parvo and keep your pet healthy. Young puppies need to be vaccinated for Parvovirus at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. A puppy must get its full vaccination in order to have full immunity to the disease. It can still contract the disease in between vaccinations, so watch out for that.
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During vaccination, it is recommended that owners keep their puppies in their own homes and only allow them to visit or play with other vaccinated, healthy dogs until the puppy gets its final set of shots.
If you have had a dog with parvo, you should not bring a puppy home until it has had its final vaccination. Once it receives its set of three shots, it is good to go but the yearly boosters are recommended to keep their immunity high against the virus.
These vaccinations are highly effective, preventing the disease in the first place, and are far less expensive than treating a dog for parvo.
So If A Dog Has Parvo Will The Vaccine Help?
As we mentioned above, vaccinations are best administered to protect the puppy from getting the virus. The Vaccines are administered before the puppy is infected with the virus. If your puppy already has parvo, the most critical first thing to seek is treatment.
After treatment, your puppy should get the vaccination to protect them from re-infection.
Conclusion
If your dog is infected with Parvo, it’s best to seek veterinary care immediately you notice any signs and symptoms. The earlier treatment begins the better to ensure your dog is saved from death.
Sometimes waiting for more signs to show up can be fatal and you might end up losing your dog. The veterinarian will give you all the necessary tips, medicines, and all the information you require.
As the dog owner, it’s your responsibility to help your dog with bathing, eating, and exercising sot they continue with the healing process.
Proper treatment and loving care should help your furry friend recover from parvo fast.
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