What is Parvo?
The short answer: Parvo in puppies is very serious. It’s a deadly disease that is easily preventable. Parvo strikes young puppies who’ve not been vaccinated.
Key point: get parvo shots for your puppy. Now.
Parvo Is Short for Parvovirus…
It’s a virus that first appeared in the 1970s. It’s transmitted from dog to dog through feces and vomit. Puppies are at the greatest risk for getting Parvo. The risk reduces as a dog gets older.
Here are Parvo’s symptoms:
Bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Important Note: ANY vomiting puppy should be tested for Parvo. Contact your veterinarian with your concerns.
Can Parvo Be Prevented?
Here’s the good news: Yes, Parvo can be prevented.
There is an inexpensive vaccine that is readily available. Puppy shots are given beginning when your puppy is 6-8 weeks of age. Parvo puppy shots are repeated every 3 weeks usually until puppy is 4-6 months old.
Prevention Is the Key
Treating puppy Parvo can be very expensive: anywhere from $800 to $3000. And the treatment may not be successful.
Puppy Parvo shots are, by comparison, inexpensive.
Bottom line: If your puppy hasn’t been vaccinated, don’t wait. Contact your veterinarian and get puppy vaccinated.