What dogs or puppies can get Parvo? How can my dog or puppy be protected from Parvovirus?
Any unvaccinated puppy or unvaccinated dog is at risk of getting Parvo. For best protection, puppies need to complete a full series (3 Parvo vaccinations at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age) and adult dogs need to have Parvovirus booster vaccines every 1-3 years, as determined by your veterinarian. If your puppy or adult dog is not fully vaccinated, they are risk of contracting Parvo. If your puppy or dog is not up to date on vaccines, do not take your pet into any public areas, and call your Veterinarian to make an appointment for vaccination. Parvovirus is considered a core vaccine for all puppies and adult dogs.
The height of the Parvovirus season in California is in the spring and summer. If you are the caring owner of a young puppy you need to contact your vet immediately if your pup shows any symptoms of Parvo.
Parvo can be described as a disease of the stomach and small intestines. It is here where the virus starts destroying a dogs gut barrier by attacking healthy cells and blocking the absorption of essential nutrients.
In puppies Parvo also attacks the bone marrow and lymphopoietic tissues which are essential parts of your dogs immune system, then the virus will often impact the heart.
What is Parvo?
The deadly canine parvovirus is commonly referred to as parvo or “CPV-2” by veterinarians. Once it is contracted, parvo is a very contagious virus that can affect all dogs. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk for Parvo. The virus most often affects the lymph nodes, blood stream and small intestines of dogs. Some also see an affected heart. It can be fatal if not noticed or treated quickly.