Sheet
Parvovirus
A very contagious, serious virus that mainly strikes puppies who aren't fully vaccinated. It can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Go to the vet now if…
- Vomiting plus bloody diarrhea is an emergency, especially if your puppy isn't fully vaccinated. Go now.
- Any vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy in a puppy who isn't fully vaccinated (or whose vaccines you don't know): call today.
- Very weak, cold to the touch, or collapsing.
- A painful or swollen belly.
How you notice it
- Tiredness and low energy.
- Stops eating.
- Vomiting.
- Severe diarrhea, often bloody.
- Fever, or a low body temperature (feels cold).
- Belly pain or bloating, and drooling from nausea.
What to do
- Call before you go: say it might be parvo and which vaccines your puppy has had, so they can see you without exposing other dogs.
- Don't wait to see if it passes: with prompt treatment, most puppies recover.
- Keep your puppy away from other dogs and from places dogs go.
- Pick up stool, clean with soap and water, then disinfect with a product that kills parvovirus, such as diluted bleach (1 part to 30 parts water), left on for about 10 minutes.
- Wash your hands and disinfect bowls, toys, clothes and shoes: the virus travels on them.
- After recovering, a dog can keep shedding the virus for a while (up to about 2 weeks): ask your vet when your puppy can see other dogs again.
Does it spread?
- To other dogs: yes
- To people: no
Yes, extremely contagious between dogs: through poop and contaminated objects, hands, clothes or shoes; the virus survives for months in the environment. It hasn't been documented in people, but you can carry it on you.
How to prevent it
- Finish the full puppy vaccine series: the last dose is given at 16 weeks or later.
- Until the series is done, avoid places where lots of dogs go (parks, pet stores, daycare) and dogs you don't know.
- Let your puppy play only with healthy dogs you know are vaccinated.
Sources
- Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Defarges A et al.; updated Jun 2026)
- Canine Parvovirus Infection (Parvoviral Enteritis in Dogs) - Professional Version (Gallagher A; full review Jun 2025)
- Canine parvovirus (pet owners)
- Canine parvovirus (Baker Institute for Animal Health, animal health articles)
- Canine Parvovirus - Information for Dog Owners (fact sheet, hosted by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine)
- 13 Animal emergencies that require immediate veterinary consultation and/or care
- Nobivac DHPPi lyophilisate for suspension for injection for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics (last revised Aug 2025, approved Dec 2025)
- VANGUARD CPV suspensión inyectable para perros - Ficha técnica (RCP rev. 02/2025)
- Vaccine Failure and Other Adverse Events in Animals - Professional Version (Tizard IR; full review Oct 2023, updated Sep 2024)
- Directrices de 2024 para la vacunación de perros y gatos (traducción al español de Squires RA et al., J Small Anim Pract 2024): refugios y preguntas sobre glucocorticoides
- What do you need to know when the parvo puppy goes home? (Veterinary Partner)
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet is the one who can tell what's wrong and what to do.