Parvovirus

Parvovirus, also known as Parvo, is a disease caused by a virus invading the lining of the gut. Parvo is highly contagious and affects dogs only.

Dogs contract the disease from other, infected dogs that shed the virus in their stool and in vomiting the contents of their stomach.

It causes vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, lack of appetite and severe dehydration. Dogs afflicted with parvo need to be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids to prevent death by dehydration. They also need antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infections; other drugs to control vomiting are also given. Some puppies may require blood transfusion.

All unvaccinated dogs are at risk for parvo. Puppies, weak and old dogs have the highest risk of dying of parvo.