Around 40% of American households have a pet dog. Ask any of these people, and they’ll tell you their dog isn’t just a pet; they’re a part of the family.
You may have heard whispers in the park of a deadly virus that affects puppies. So, what is canine parvo, and how can you protect your puppy from it?
If you want to be a responsible dog owner and your pup to have a long and happy life, then it’s time to get informed about the dangers of canine parvo.
Read on to learn more.
Vaccination
The parvovirus is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected object. Once a puppy gets parvovirus, there’s no cure, only medications to manage the symptoms throughout the illness. Therefore, preventing the transmission of parvovirus in the first place is essential.
Puppies are most vulnerable when they are between 6 weeks and 6 months old. This is because they’re born with antibodies from their mother, but these start to reduce after 6 weeks.
The vaccination schedule to protect against canine parvo is 6, 8, and 12 weeks old. A puppy isn’t protected against parvo until they’ve had all 3 shots, so they remain vulnerable.
Because there’s no cure for the virus, getting your pup vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do to protect against parvo.
Mindful Socializing
Dogs with parvo are extremely contagious. They begin shedding the virus within 4-5 days of exposure and will continue to shed it up to 10 days after they’ve recovered. Once the virus has made it onto surfaces, it can live indoors for over a month and outdoors for over a year.
So, while your pup is still vulnerable, make sure you limit socializing to healthy, low-risk dogs. Avoid dogs with canine parvo symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, lethargy, and weakness.
Canine parvo in older dogs is less common, but you should avoid all contact with unvaccinated dogs until your pup has total protection from their vaccinations.
Cleaning After Exposure
If you suspect your home may have been infected with parvovirus, you need to act quickly. Ordinary soaps and antibacterial products don’t kill the virus.
Instead, you should use bleach and water at a dilution of 1:32. However, remember that parvovirus can be present on all surfaces, including carpets, clothes, and shoes.
If you have many surfaces that can’t be cleaned with bleach, shop at sanitation expert stores. You can find specialist cleaning products that kill parvovirus here: https://www.alphatechpet.com/sanitation.aspx.
Protect Your Pup From Canine Parvo Today
These are the 3 main ways you can help reduce your pup’s chances of contracting canine parvo.
If you’re a sensible and responsible dog owner, you don’t need to worry; just follow these steps, and your pup will be happy and healthy.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, make sure to check out our other posts for more practical home, lifestyle, and pet topics!
