FAQ’s on the Spreading of Canine Parvo
How Does Parvo Spread?
Dog’s can catch Parvo whenever they come into direct contact with the virus, not just the infected dog. The virus is hearty and can live on an infected dog, on a person’s shoe, on a rug, in a contaminated lawn, in a snow pile, in a kennel carrier, on a dog bed, at a dog wash, and the list goes on.
When a dog that has parvo poops or vomits, that infected dog’s feces and vomit is loaded with the live virus. This is called “shedding” the virus. Parvo is spread when one dog sheds the virus and another dog is exposed.
Is Parvo contagious to other dogs?
Yes, Parvo is highly contagious to other dogs. The virus is extremely hearty and can withstand extreme temperatures. Without the right products, canine parvovirus survives conventional cleaning efforts.
How do dogs get parvo?
An unprotected dog can get Parvo by coming into contact with the actual virus. The virus can be on another dog, on a person’s shoe, on a piece of bedding, in the soil, on a rug or floor…the possibilities are endless.
Can my dog catch parvo if she’s never around other dogs?
Yes, dogs do not have to come into contact with each other to spread parvo, they just have to come into contact with the virus. The virus could be anywhere where dogs have been and the virus could be carried to a dog by a human or other object.
Does parvo only get spread when dogs meet each other?
No, parvo spreads when unprotected dogs meet the virus. This can be dog to dog but it’s even more likely to spread when the infected dog is nowhere in sight. The virus lives in grass, soil, puddles, mud, snow, leaves, sidewalks, etc.. Humans can bring the virus home and the virus could be living at dog parks, people parks, rest areas, dog washes, kennels, private yards, beaches, hiking trails, …there is no end to where parvo virus can live and wait.
Is canine parvovirus airborne?
No, canine parvo does not float around in the air. It lives in the gastro-intestinal tract of dogs and combines with a contaminated dog’s feces and vomit. Even if the feces or vomit is washed away, the viral particles remain alive and well.
Can vaccinated dogs carry parvo?
The act of vaccinating your dog does not make him a carrier of parvo. However, any dog or object that comes into contact with the shedding virus can be carrying parvo. Example: A vaccinated dog steps in a pile of feces contaminated with parvo. The vaccinated dog does not catch parvo, but an unprotected dog could lick this dog’s contaminated paws and catch parvo.
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