Welcome to the Corgi Corner! This is a series that’s posted on the first Saturday of every month! These posts will help spread education and awareness on topics like general dog care, corgi specific things, medical care, health facts, etc. This month’s Corgi Corner post will be all about canine parvovirus! Canine parvovirus infection, commonly referred to as parvo, is a highly contagious disease caused by canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). There are several strains of COV-2 and they all produce similar signs. The virus attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and other canids like coyotes, wolves, and foxes. In puppies, the virus also can damage the heart muscle. While all dogs are susceptible to parvo, puppies between 6 and 20 weeks old, unvaccinated dogs, or incompletely vaccinated dogs are at greater risk than others. Canine parvovirus is easily spread by direct contact with infected dogs, contact with feces from infected dogs, or contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. Such surfaces can include kennels, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. Contact between domestic dogs, feral dogs, and wild canids also may play a role in spreading the disease. The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods. Even trace amounts of feces from an infected dog can contain the virus and infect other dogs. This makes proper disinfection practices critical. Since parvo is highly contagious, dogs suspected or confirmed to be infected need to be isolated from other dogs to minimize spread of infection. Other strict infection control protocols include thorough cleaning and disinfection of any areas where the dog has been with products capable of killing the virus, like bleach. A dog must be seen by a veterinarian if they are suspected of having parvovirus. A fecal testing can confirm the diagnosis. Dogs with severe infection need immediate, intensive treatment, and 24/7 monitoring, which often involves hospitalization. Supportive care is provided to correct dehydration and physiological imbalances caused by vomiting and diarrhea, control nausea and pain, keep the dog warm, prevent other infections from happening, and provide nutritional support. Additional treatment may be recommended to help fight the infection and/or combat diarrhea. This can all be very expensive, and the dog may die despite treatment. Prompt, intensive treatment improves the chance of survival. Thankfully, canine parvovirus can be very preventable. Vaccination and other preventive measures, like good hygiene, are key to avoiding infection. Young puppies are especially vulnerable to parvovirus. If a mother dog has antibodies against parvovirus, which can occur when she’s been vaccinated, then she may pass those antibodies to her newborn puppies through her milk. However, this natural immunity may wear off before the puppies’ own immune systems are mature enough to fight off infection. And if a puppy is exposed to the virus during this gap in protection, the puppy may become ill. To reduce gaps in immunity and provide the best protection against canine parvovirus during the first few months of life, a series of vaccinations is recommended. The parvovirus vaccine is included in a combination vaccine (sometimes abbreviated as DAPP, DA2PP, or similarly) that also protects dogs against some other common canine viruses. This vaccine is considered “core”, and is recommended for all dogs. Puppies that are younger than 16 weeks old should receive their first dose between 6 and 8 weeks old, followed by two more doses 2-4 weeks apart each. Dogs that are older than 16 weeks with no previous vaccination or an unknown history should receive two doses 2-4 weeks apart. To maintain protection, a booster dose of the combination vaccine is recommended within one year after the last dose in the initial vaccination series. Afterward, boosters are recommended every three years. There are also additional measures you can take to help protect your dog and other animals from canine parvovirus. Until the initial vaccination series is complete, use caution when bringing puppies to places where dogs gather. This includes pet shops, parks, obedience classes, doggy day cares, kennels/boarding facilities, and groomers. It’s also imperative to choose establishments and training programs that require up-to-date vaccinations, health examinations, good hygiene, and isolation of sick puppies and dogs.