Why Should You Vaccinate Against Parvovirus?

To some dog owners, the issue of vaccination is controversial—should it even be done? But to anyone living in a developing country where most dogs and cats are not vaccinated or to anyone unlucky enough to see an outbreak, the issue is a no-brainer.

Preventing parvovirus infection by vaccinating

Today we have a number of good vaccines against parvovirus and we no longer see nationwide outbreaks. However, every year, hospitals see micro outbreaks and occasionally large outbreaks of over 100 dogs occur, especially at shelters. In fact, if you work at a shelter, you are likely to see an outbreak of distemper or Parvovirus at least every several years. And infectious disease is such a prominent issue at shelters that there’s now a well-established specialty in veterinary medicine called shelter medicine. The veterinary specialists in focus on keeping large groups of animals healthy rather than just focusing on the individual. They set up programs and make choices that ultimately keep more animals safe. Even in the absence of actual outbreaks, many individual cases of Parvo infection occur. In 2009 one of Oprah Winfrey’s puppies died of Parvovirus infection after staying at an animal shelter in Chicago. (http://www.examiner.com/pets-in-boston/oprah-s-dog-dies-from-parvo-dog-owners-urged-to-get-their-dogs-vaccinated-for-parvovirus)

Why does parvovirus still persist?

Parvovirus persists because the virus is highly infectious and difficult to destroy. Infected dogs shed millions of virus particles in their feces and potential victims need only ingest a small amount to become infected. New victims can become sick within 4-7 days of exposure. Secondly, although vaccines are available, not all vaccines are equally good. This is where your veterinarian comes in.
Lastly, many dog owners still fail to get their puppies vaccinated and this is the most common cause of outbreaks. Puppies need to be vaccinated in a series of shots every 3-4 weeks starting around 6-8 weeks of age and extending to 14-16 weeks—longer in susceptible breeds such as Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers. Adult dogs who've never been vaccinated may need a series of two shots to start off, although one administration of parvovirus vaccine is considered to be protective. Both groups should have regular boosters—the American Animal Hospital Association recommends not more than every 3 years. Alternatively, individuals can have their titers taken to see whether they need a booster yet.

How do you tell if your dog has parvovirus?

Dogs rarely develop heart disease from parvo now, but if your puppy develops vomiting or diarrhea or suddenly becomes listless take him to your veterinarian immediately. He or she can diagnose the disease using a specific diagnostic test. Many diseases can cause diarrhea but parvo is the number one cause in dogs under six months of age. If your dog does have parvo, expect an extended hospital visit. Treatment often requires intensive hospital care including fluids, antibiotics, and even a blood transfusion. The total stay can last days and sometimes several weeks and even then, a cure is not guaranteed.

To find out why puppies need multiple vaccinations, read Puppy Vaccinations: Why Puppies Need a Series of Shots.