HEALTH
How to Prevent Parvovirus in Dogs
Parvovirus in dogs can often be life-threatening. Dr Pai shares important steps every puppy parent must know to prevent parvo in puppies.
Table of contents
Canine parvovirus can be found in almost any environment, but not every dog who comes into contact with the virus becomes infected. However, once a puppy contracts parvo, treatment is tough and not always successful. Noticing early parvo symptoms in dogs and seeking immediate veterinary help can help safeguard your puppy’s life. You can learn about Parvovirus in dogs, how it spreads, and ways to prevent it by here.
The good news is that there is a Parvo vaccine that helps build immunity against the disease. This vaccine is a part of the core or essential vaccination protocol.
Very young puppies (6 weeks) at high risk are given the Distemper Parvo combination, commonly called the “puppy DP”. Older pups (8-12 weeks) are given a combination vaccine which includes other commonly occurring diseases i.e., Distemper Hepatitis Parainfluenza and sometimes Leptospirosis. After the first vaccination, puppies require two more booster shots at 3–4-week intervals. Once the three vaccinations are done, puppies are protected from Parvo for anywhere between 1–3 years (depending on the type of vaccination) and only need to be vaccinated as per the prescribed frequency.
The good news is that there is a Parvo vaccine that helps build immunity against the disease. This vaccine is a part of the core or essential vaccination protocol.
Very young puppies (6 weeks) at high risk are given the Distemper Parvo combination, commonly called the “puppy DP”. Older pups (8-12 weeks) are given a combination vaccine which includes other commonly occurring diseases i.e., Distemper Hepatitis Parainfluenza and sometimes Leptospirosis. After the first vaccination, puppies require two more booster shots at 3–4-week intervals. Once the three vaccinations are done, puppies are protected from Parvo for anywhere between 1–3 years (depending on the type of vaccination) and only need to be vaccinated as per the prescribed frequency.
Easy Ways to Prevent Parvovirus in Dogs
When it comes to fighting Parvo - Prevention is WAYYY better than cure. Given its extremely contagious and dangerous nature, keeping the virus away from your puppy and your home is the only sure-shot way to ensure that they are healthy and safe. The resilient nature of the virus can be difficult to manage and parents need to ensure they take utmost care during the early months when the puppies are yet to be fully vaccinated:
Manage your puppy’s environment.
Manage the puppy’s diet.
Deworm your puppy regularly.
Manage your puppy’s environment.
- Transitioning from their mother to new human homes can be highly stressful for the puppy. It is critical we treat them with the same care as a newborn baby.
- Make sure everyone who interacts with your puppy washes their hands, before and after handling your puppy.
- Don’t overwhelm the puppy by inviting all your friends or a hoard of visitors to meet the puppy immediately.
- Don’t take your puppy to new places, unless needed.
- Restrict their interaction with other dogs, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not!
- Puppy-proof your house and especially keep the footwear out of their reach, as they can be a carrier of outside germs.
- Make sure your home is regularly cleaned and the puppy’s environment is disinfected often.
Manage the puppy’s diet.
- A puppy’s tummy is very sensitive and can get triggered by even a slight change in diet. Ensure that you stick to the same diet (quantity, brand, and frequency) once the puppy is home.
- Any changes you would like to make to the diet must be made gradually. You can learn about the correct way of transitioning your puppy’s diet here.
Deworm your puppy regularly.
- Puppies must be dewormed regularly to ensure that their guts are free from harmful parasites.
- Typically, the breeders or rescuers do the first round of deworming. If it is not done, ensure that you deworm your puppy at least three to four days prior to their first vaccination.
- Until your puppies reach six months, deworming must be done once every month.
Managing your puppy's environment is crucial in preventing a parvo infection.
Vaccinate your puppy and dogs as per the prescribed schedule.
Apart from this, we recommend maintaining a log of your puppy’s daily routine.
- Very young puppies (6 weeks) at high risk are given the Distemper Parvo combination, commonly called the “puppy DP”.
- Older pups (8-12 weeks) are given a combination vaccine which includes other commonly occurring diseases i.e., Distemper Hepatitis Parainfluenza and sometimes Leptospirosis. After the first vaccination, puppies require two more booster shots at 3–4-week intervals.
- Once the three vaccinations are done, puppies are protected from Parvo for anywhere between 1-3 years (depending on the type of vaccination) and only need to be vaccinated as per the prescribed frequency.
Apart from this, we recommend maintaining a log of your puppy’s daily routine.
- Keep a track of everything – what and when your puppy is eating and drinking. Record your puppy’s poop timings and consistency, as well.
- If possible, regularly check the weight of the puppy and record it. They usually gain about 10% of their weight per day. If the puppy is not gaining weight, it’s time to visit the vet.
- By taking these precautions, you are more likely to catch an illness or disease in the early stages, which will greatly improve the odds of the treatment being successful.
Keeping a track of your puppy's routine can help you detect any anomaly.
While the above may seem tedious and cumbersome, please note that parvo spreads very quickly, and parents don’t often get much time before realizing that their puppies have become extremely sick.
Ideally, parents should do their research and start preparing for the above even before they bring their puppy home. Ask questions of your breeder/rescuer about your puppy:
- Check (and verify if possible) the puppy's age before adopting; the ideal age to adopt is around 2.5 months.
- Check the vaccination status of the mother and puppy.
- Ask about the deworming status of the mother and puppy.
- Check what diet the puppy has been on.
- Schedule a visit with your preferred vet, before getting the puppy. Ask them about the best way to prepare your home for the puppy.
- If you are visiting your vet after bringing the puppy home, inform them that the appointment is for a puppy – some vets will schedule puppy consults first.
Remember, taking these small precautions now can save you and your dog a lot of trouble later! Happy Pet Parenting to You!
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