Parvovirus in dogs is a virus that infects the intestines, causing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. It can be deadly without treatment and hits unvaccinated puppies hardest. If your dog or puppy has these signs, treat it as an emergency and speak to your vet straight away.
At a glance
- What it is: a virus that attacks the gut and can make dogs very ill very quickly.
- Who it affects: unvaccinated dogs, especially puppies. The PDSA says unvaccinated puppies under six months are particularly prone.
- Urgency: emergency. The PDSA says to arrange an emergency appointment if signs appear.
- Vet needed? Yes, always. There is no home fix.
Signs to look for
The PDSA says signs appear suddenly and include bloody or watery diarrhoea, vomiting, low appetite, extreme tiredness and a fever. Blue Cross adds loss of appetite, fever and collapse. Plenty of tummy bugs look similar at first, such as gastroenteritis, which is why a young or unvaccinated dog with these signs needs a vet, not a wait-and-see.
Causes and risk factors
The PDSA says parvovirus spreads through infected faeces and through contact with an infected dog or things it has touched, such as leads, bowls, bedding and clothing. Recovered dogs can stay infectious for a few weeks, and the virus can persist in the environment for up to a year. Blue Cross adds that it can be carried on shoes, clothing and hands, which is how a puppy can pick it up without meeting another dog.
Unvaccinated dogs are at risk, and the PDSA says unvaccinated puppies under six months old are most at risk. The sources we used don’t name particular breeds, so we haven’t listed any.
When to call your vet
If your dog has the signs above, the PDSA says to arrange an emergency appointment, and to wait outside the clinic with your dog until you’re called. Blue Cross suggests mentioning any known contact with a dog that has parvovirus. If you don’t have a vet, our vets database can help. If your dog may have been exposed but looks well, the PDSA says to monitor them closely and call a vet if you’re concerned. Our sick dog symptoms guide covers other signs that need a call.
- 1. Notice
Sudden vomiting, bloody or watery diarrhoea, extreme tiredness - 2. Speak to your vet
Emergency: contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away - 3. Vet examines
An exam, often a quick poo test; blood tests may follow - 4. Options
Treatment options your vet may discuss: supportive care, fluids - 5. Ongoing care
Regular vaccination, with boosters as your vet advises
How vets diagnose it
The PDSA says testing isn’t always necessary because the signs are usually obvious, but a vet can diagnose parvovirus with a quick faecal (poo) test that gives a result in about 15 minutes. Vets may also run blood tests. Your vet will examine your dog and decide what is needed.
What vets generally do about it
The PDSA says there isn’t a single medicine that treats parvovirus. Care is supportive: keeping the dog clean, warm, hydrated and fed, and isolated from other dogs. That can include fluids into a vein, a feeding tube if the dog won’t eat, anti-sickness medicine and stomach ulcer medicine. Antibiotics don’t kill the virus but help guard against secondary infections.
The PDSA says prompt veterinary care greatly improves survival and most treated dogs recover, but the disease is often fatal without treatment and some dogs die even with quick treatment. Costs can climb during hospital care, so pet insurance is worth considering before you need it.
Living with it and prevention
The PDSA calls regular vaccination the best and only way to prevent parvovirus, with boosters through adult life as your vet advises. Blue Cross says the timing of a puppy’s course varies by vaccine brand, so speak to your vet about the plan for your puppy.
The PDSA also advises buying puppies from responsible breeders or reputable rehoming centres, and checking the mother is vaccinated and the litter looks healthy. Until their first vaccination course is finished, the PDSA says puppies can use the garden if no unvaccinated dogs have visited recently, but should only go out in public if carried. It says puppies can go on walks and to classes 1 to 2 weeks after completing that course. Your vet is the person to ask about your dog’s boosters.
Related conditions
- Diarrhoea in dogs
- Vomiting in dogs
- Gastroenteritis in dogs
- Distemper in dogs
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Leptospirosis in dogs
- Kennel cough in dogs
Back to the A to Z of dog illnesses and conditions.
Sources
- PDSA Pet Hospitals: Parvovirus in dogs and puppies
- PDSA Pet Health Hub: Parvovirus in dogs and puppies (web page)
- Blue Cross: Parvovirus in dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a dog catch parvovirus?
Through infected faeces and contact with an infected dog or things it has touched, such as leads, bowls, bedding and clothing, according to the PDSA. The virus can persist in the environment for up to a year, and Blue Cross says it can also travel on shoes, clothing and hands.
Can a dog survive parvovirus?
The PDSA says most dogs treated promptly by a vet recover, but the disease is often fatal without treatment and some dogs die even with quick treatment. Speak to your vet immediately if you suspect it.
Is there a cure for parvovirus?
The PDSA says there isn’t a single medicine that treats the virus. Vets give supportive care, such as fluids, anti-sickness medicine and nursing.
When can my puppy go out after vaccination?
The PDSA says puppies can go on walks and to puppy classes 1 to 2 weeks after completing their first vaccination course, and should be carried in public places before then. Speak to your vet about your puppy’s schedule.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.
