Friends Of The Planet

Parvo Virus - 13 Little-Known Factoids

1.      Four out of five dogs that are infected by the older 2a and 2b strains of Parvo virus that are untreated die in four or five days.

2.      Fully-vaccinated dogs, including both puppies and adults, are being infected by and dying from the current 2c strain of Parvo.

3.      For reasons nobody yet understands, some breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Black & Tan Coonhounds, Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds are more susceptible to Parvo.

4.      Although Parvo is especially prevalent in the southern states, with California, Texas, Arizona and Florida being the four worst hit, every state in the US, including Hawaii and even Alaska, are suffering outbreaks.

5.      The Parvo virus is incredibly persistent and can live in the ground for up to 20 years, with an ability to survive extremes of temperature, including frost and desert climates.

6.      If you take your dogs to the vet's for treatment, it could cost you anywhere from $500 to over $6,000 per dog.

7.      You can only expect a 50% - 80% chance of survival if you take your dog to the vet.

8.      It is now believed that the latest 2c strain may be airborne, even though Parvo has historically been transmitted through contact with infected vomit and feces.

9.      It has always been suspected that Canine Parvovirus evolved from a similar feline virus, cat typhoid (aka feline distemper), so it is ironic that cats can now be infected by the latest 2c strain of Parvo.

10.     The latest 2c strain of Parvo can kill your dog within one day of symptoms first appearing, with some dogs dying in only six hours.

11.      The Parvovirus can incubate for anywhere from three days to 15 days, although five to seven days is the average. This means that your dog could be sick for up to two weeks and you would not even know it, as there would be no visible symptoms. However during this time, the virus is growing in strength, ready to wreak havoc on your dog's body.

12.      Ironically, administering a Canine Parvo vaccine, especially the very first shot, can actually increase the chance of your puppy contracting this virus. This is because the maternal antibodies inherited by the puppy can kill off the modified live virus contained in the vaccine, but as vaccinations work in part by lowering the body's natural immune system, this actually opens up the puppy to infection by the full, live virus (not to mention other infections as well).

13.      A few breeds of dogs, particularly Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, appear to be at a reduced risk of contracting Parvo, although this does not mean that they will not be infected.

If you're looking for products you can use to treat Parvo, or for Parvo prevention, then you should check out these Parvo Treatment Value Packs, which contain Parvaid, Vibactra Plus, Life Cell Immune Support and, in the Gold Value Pack, Doggie Pain Relief.