What Is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus (CPV-2) is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease in dogs that attacks the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow. It primarily affects unvaccinated puppies and young dogs. The hallmark signs are profuse, foul-smelling bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. Parvovirus is transmitted through contact with infected faeces and survives in the environment for months to years.
Understanding Parvovirus
The parvovirus particle is uniquely resistant — it survives in the environment for up to a year or more and is resistant to most common household disinfectants. Only bleach at 1:30 dilution (or specific virucidal products) reliably destroys parvovirus on surfaces. This means contaminated areas (yards, kennels, parks) can remain infective long after an infected dog has passed through, and new puppies brought into a recently contaminated home face significant risk.
The incubation period is 3–7 days. Initial signs are lethargy, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever, followed rapidly by severe vomiting and haemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhoea that causes life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The virus also attacks bone marrow, causing immune suppression that leaves the dog vulnerable to secondary bacterial sepsis — this is often the direct cause of death.
Treatment is entirely supportive (there is no antiviral drug for parvovirus): intensive intravenous fluid therapy, antiemetics, antibiotics to prevent secondary infection, and nutritional support. With aggressive in-hospital care started early, survival rates reach 68–92%. Without treatment, the mortality rate approaches 91%. Vaccination is highly effective and is the only reliable prevention.