Parvo (Parvovirus)

Canine Parvovirus is a viral disease that attacks rapidly dividing cells in a dog's body. It affects the intestinal tract of canines as well as the white blood cells. Young animals can also suffer severe damage to the heart muscle. This disease is HIGHLY contagious and resistant. It can live in an environment for months and sometimes for over a year on organic material (grass).

The most susceptible to contracting this disease are puppies, adolescent dogs and unvaccinated canines. It affects all members of the dog family including wild members: wolves, coyotes, foxes, ect. Because of it being highly resistant in an environment and affecting wild animals as well as domesticated, unvaccinated dogs could contract this disease from the streets or wilderness.

Treatment for this disease is very intensive and expensive. Without veterinary care, it has a high mortality rate. Parvo is transmitted through contact with a dog's feces and is highly resistant to most disinfectants. This means, a human could potentially transmit Parvo to another canine through touch, on shoes, ect... BUT, a human will not get sick from Parvo. It is strictly a canine disease (though there is a feline version: distemper). If your dog happens to get Parvovirus, it is best to disinfect all the dog's belongings with a solution of 1 part bleach to 32 parts water by soaking each item for 10 minutes. Things that cannot be disinfected, will need to be thrown out. Again, vaccination is the only way to prevent your dog from getting this disease and is why Bark City requires all dog's to be vaccinated. It is also why you should always ask what a daycare's vaccination policy is when shopping for the daycare that is perfect for your four-legged family member.