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Parvovirus, or parvo, is a serious and highly contagious viral infection in dogs that can quickly become life-threatening without prompt treatment. It most often affects puppies, unvaccinated dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems.Signs of parvo can include severe or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever and dehydration. Early veterinary care and supportive treatment, ideally through an in-patient veterinary hospital stay, are key to helping dogs recover. Keeping your dog up to date on vaccinations is the best defense against parvovirus.
When your pet is sick, there’s likely little you won’t do to help them recover. The first step is to identify the issue and keep track of symptoms from there. With infections like parvovirus, early detection and treatment can make a huge difference in your dog’s well-being. Learn more about how to spot parvovirus symptoms, the treatment options and common questions and concerns.
If your dog needs emergency medical treatment, please call our office at 919-605-6300.
What Is Parvovirus in Dogs?
Parvovirus, also known as canine parvovirus or CPV, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. Canine parvovirus is species-specific, meaning it does not infect humans. However, dog-to-dog infection is very likely. If you have multiple dogs, especially multiple puppies, and only one is infected, you’ll need to be careful.
Fortunately, there is a parvovirus vaccine, which helps keep most adult dogs safe. We’ll discuss how to keep your other dogs healthy in more detail below.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?
While all dogs can catch parvovirus, some dogs stand a greater chance of getting it. Unvaccinated puppies between 6 and 20 weeks old, with their still-developing immune systems, are most likely to be at risk of parvovirus.
Older dogs may also be at risk for parvovirus, especially if they have incomplete vaccination histories, underlying health conditions or compromised immune functions. That being said, most cases of parvovirus are overwhelmingly found in puppies and adolescent dogs.
How Do Dogs Get Parvo?
You might think that the only way dogs can get parvo is through direct contact with an infected dog. However, that’s far from the only way it can be transmitted. Dogs become infected by ingesting viral particles from infected waste (poop) in contaminated food or water sources, or by cleaning themselves after coming in contact with a contaminated surface.
What Are the Signs of Parvo in Dogs?
Recognizing symptoms early is important for giving your dog the best outcome possible. Here are common symptoms of parvovirus:
- Severe vomiting
- Diarrhea (potentially bloody)
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Fever
If symptoms present with emergency indicators, such as persistent vomiting, worsening diarrhea or extreme weakness, it’s time to bring your dog to the emergency vet. Our team is available 24/7—we’re only a call away, and ready to help your pet. Immediate care is crucial to ensure your pet’s health.If you’re not sure when it’s time to bring your pet in, our Is This An Emergency? page is a good resource to check.
How Is Parvovirus Diagnosed and Treated?
If you suspect your dog has parvovirus, prompt evaluation at a veterinary hospital is crucial to begin treatment quickly. Early intervention ensures the best recovery outcomes for your dog.
How Vets Test for Parvo
Veterinarians often use a fecal antigen test for quick confirmation, since it provides rapid detection of parvovirus. If further evaluation is needed, additional diagnostic tests, like bloodwork, can be performed to better guide treatment decisions.
What You Can Expect With Treatment
Treatment for parvovirus usually involves supporting your dog’s overall comfort, well-being and immune system. Options like IV fluids to curb dehydration, anti-nausea medicine to control vomiting, nutritional support and medications to prevent secondary infections may be recommended. Since many parvovirus cases are in temperature-sensitive puppies, providing heat support like a heated blanket may be necessary.
Additionally, recent breakthroughs in monoclonal antibody treatments targeting parvovirus may reduce symptom severity. The single-dose injection has been licensed by the USDA as of December 2025.
For most cases, especially for puppies with their fragile immune systems, hospitalization may be the best way to monitor your dog’s condition. Intensive care will likely be needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Your best treatment option for parvovirus is making sure your dog is up to date on their parvovirus vaccine, preventing illness before it starts. If you’re concerned about your dog’s risk factors, consult your vet for the best guidance.
Can Humans Get Parvovirus From Dogs?
No, humans cannot contract canine parvovirus from dogs. Human parvovirus, also known as parvovirus B19, is a different virus that only affects humans, though dogs and cats have their own species-specific versions of parvovirus. Frequent hand washing and care for clothes worn to dog parks or vet visits can help prevent susceptible dogs from catching canine parvovirus through indirect transmission, though.
How Can You Protect Your Dog From Parvovirus?
Preventative care is the best way to protect your pet from parvovirus. Vaccination is a simple and highly effective way to keep your dog safe. The CPV vaccine is considered a core vaccine, recommended for nearly every dog due to its strong protection against this potentially life-threatening infection.
Ideally, you should start your dog’s parvovirus vaccine schedule in several rounds of shots as a puppy. Generally, the vaccine schedule will last until your dog is about 16-20 weeks old. Combined with a booster shot at one year old and another booster every three years afterward, your dog has full vaccine coverage from parvovirus. This is the best, proven way to prevent parvovirus. When your dog needs treatment for parvovirus or other concerns, we’re here with a 24/7/365 emergency hospital. Contact us today to learn more.