Important: Contact a Veterinarian Right Away for Suspected Parvovirus
Parvovirus can cause serious illness in pets, especially in puppies, unvaccinated or under-vaccinated dogs, and kittens.
If your pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, has a loss of appetite, has low energy, or shows signs of dehydration, contact your veterinarian right away. If you think your pet may have parvo, call the hospital before bringing them in. This allows the veterinary team to guide you on arrival steps that help reduce the risk of exposing other pets.
Parvovirus can move quickly. Early care matters.
What Is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus refers to a group of contagious viruses that can cause severe illness in pets.
In dogs, canine parvovirus is often called “parvo.” It most often affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and serious weakness.
In cats, a related parvovirus causes feline panleukopenia. It is sometimes called feline distemper, although it is not the same disease as canine distemper.
Pets that may be at higher risk include:
Dogs that visit areas contaminated with feces from infected dogs
Kittens
Pets in shelters, rescues, or other high-density settings
Pets with incomplete vaccine protection
Pets with unknown vaccine history
Puppies
Unvaccinated dogs and cats
Parvovirus in pets is different from human parvovirus B19. People do not get canine parvovirus from dogs or feline panleukopenia from cats.
Why Is Parvovirus a Concern?
Parvovirus is a concern because it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness and potentially death if left untreated. The virus spreads through infected feces and contaminated surfaces. Dogs can be exposed through direct contact with an infected dog or by sniffing, licking, or stepping in contaminated areas. The virus can also spread on shoes, clothing, hands, leashes, bowls, bedding, toys, and other objects. Parvovirus can survive in the environment for months to over a year, in some cases. This means a pet may be exposed even when an infected animal is no longer nearby. Having your pet vaccinated greatly lowers the risk of serious disease. However, puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines because protection builds over time. Until the vaccine series is complete, young pets remain more vulnerable.
Potential Signs of Parvovirus in Dogs
Contact a veterinarian right away if your dog or puppy has any of these signs:
Parvo can look like other stomach or intestinal illnesses. A veterinarian can examine your pet and recommend testing.
Potential Signs of Feline Panleukopenia in Cats
Contact a veterinarian right away if your cat or kitten has any of these signs:
Dehydration
Diarrhea
Fever
Loss of appetite
Low energy or hiding
Poor growth in kittens
Sudden weakness
Vomiting
Weight loss
Kittens can become very sick quickly. If your kitten is not eating, is vomiting or has diarrhea, do not wait to seek veterinary guidance.
When to Call a Veterinarian
Call a veterinarian right away if your pet has:
Bloody diarrhea
Exposure to a dog or cat diagnosed with parvovirus
Loss of appetite
Recent shelter, rescue, boarding, daycare, or travel history with symptoms
Signs of dehydration
Sudden low energy
Unknown vaccine history and gastrointestinal signs
Vomiting and diarrhea
If your pet may have parvo, call the veterinary hospital before arrival. The team may ask you to wait in your car, use a separate entrance or follow other steps to reduce exposure to other pets.
How Parvovirus Spreads
Parvovirus spreads through infected feces and contaminated environments. Common ways pets may be exposed include:
Areas where infected pets recently spent time
Contact with infected stool
Contaminated shoes, clothing, or hands
Dog parks or shared outdoor areas
Pet stores or breeding environments with poor disease control
Shared bowls, bedding, toys, or crates
Shelters, rescues, kennels, or boarding facilities
A dog does not need to have direct contact with a sick dog to become infected. Exposure can happen through contaminated surfaces.
How to Lower Risk
Pet owners can help lower risk by:
Avoiding dog parks, pet stores, and high-traffic dog areas until a puppy is fully vaccinated
Asking about vaccine requirements before boarding, daycare, or grooming
Cleaning shoes, crates, bedding, bowls, and leashes after possible exposure
Having newly adopted pets examined by a veterinarian
Keeping pets up to date on veterinarian-recommended vaccines
Keeping sick pets separated from other pets
Keeping unvaccinated pets away from sick pets
Making sure puppies and kittens complete their full vaccine series
Talking with a veterinarian about risk before travel or social activities
Washing hands after handling unfamiliar animals
Vaccines can help a lot when it comes to protecting your pet from harm’s way. Your veterinarian can recommend a vaccine schedule based on your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, and local risk.
What Not to Do
If you suspect parvovirus, do not:
Assume an indoor pet has no risk if another pet or person may have brought the virus home on shoes, clothing, or objects.
Bring a sick pet around other animals.
Take your pet into a veterinary lobby without calling first.
Take an unvaccinated puppy to dog parks or high-traffic dog areas.
Try to treat severe vomiting or diarrhea at home.
Use disinfectants on your pet’s skin or fur.
Wait to see if symptoms improve.
A veterinarian should examine your pet and recommend the right care plan.
Cleaning After Possible Parvovirus Exposure
Parvovirus can be difficult to remove from the environment. It can live in the environment for over a year, and many common household cleaners do not kill it. If your pet has been diagnosed with parvovirus or may have been exposed, ask your veterinary team how to clean your home, yard, vehicle, and pet supplies. General cleaning guidance may include:
Discarding items that cannot be cleaned safely
Following product label instructions carefully
Keeping pets away from disinfected areas until they are safe and dry
Removing visible dirt, feces, or organic material before disinfecting
Using a veterinarian-recommended disinfectant labeled for parvovirus
Washing bedding, towels, and soft items when possible
Never mix cleaning products. Never apply household disinfectants directly to a pet.
Treatment for Parvovirus
Treatment depends on the pet’s age, symptoms, hydration level, vaccine history, and overall condition. A veterinarian may recommend:
Additional therapies when appropriate and available
Antibiotics when secondary bacterial infection is a concern
Fluids to treat dehydration
Hospitalization for close monitoring
Medication to control vomiting and nausea
Nutritional support
Pain control
Testing for parvovirus
There is no safe at-home cure for parvovirus. Pets with suspected parvo need veterinary care as soon as possible.
Dogs that recover from parvovirus can continue to spread the virus in their feces for several weeks. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions about keeping them away from other dogs.
GUIDANCE FOR DOG OWNERS
Canine parvovirus can affect dogs of any age, but puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at the highest risk.
Puppy Parvo Risk
Puppies are more vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing and their vaccine protection takes time to build. Your veterinarian will recommend a puppy vaccine schedule. Puppies usually need multiple visits for full protection. Until your veterinarian says your puppy is protected, avoid high-risk areas where many dogs gather or where vaccination status is unknown. Call a veterinarian right away if your puppy has vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, or loss of appetite.
Adult Dog Parvo Risk
Adult dogs can also get parvo if they are unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or have an unknown vaccine status. Adult dogs may be at higher risk if they:
Have missed vaccines
Have unknown vaccine records
Spend time around unvaccinated dogs
Visit dog parks, boarding, daycare, or grooming facilities
Were recently adopted or rescued
Ask your veterinarian whether your dog’s parvovirus vaccination is up to date.
Extra Prevention Tips for Dog Owners
Dog owners can also help by:
Asking shelters, rescues, boarding facilities, and daycares about vaccine policies
Avoiding areas with known parvo cases
Calling ahead before visiting a veterinary hospital with a sick dog
Cleaning shoes and supplies after contact with unfamiliar dogs
Keeping puppies away from unknown dogs until fully vaccinated
Keeping sick dogs isolated from other dogs
Cats can become seriously ill from feline panleukopenia, a disease caused by feline parvovirus.
Kittens, unvaccinated cats, and cats in shelters or multi-cat environments are at higher risk.
Areas of Concern for Cats
Cat owners should watch closely for:
If your cat or kitten has these signs, contact a veterinarian right away.
Extra Prevention Tips for Cat Owners
Cat owners can also help by:
Asking shelters or rescues for vaccine and health history
Cleaning carriers, bedding, litter boxes, and bowls after possible exposure
Keeping cats current on veterinarian-recommended vaccines
Keeping new cats separated from household cats until examined
Keeping sick cats away from other cats
Vaccinating kittens on the schedule recommended by a veterinarian
Even indoor-only cats need vaccine protection. People, pets, and objects can bring germs into the home.
What to Do If You Recently Adopted a Pet
Recently adopted pets may have unknown exposure or vaccine history. Keep newly adopted pets separated from other household pets until your veterinarian advises it is safe to introduce them. After adoption, schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible. Bring any vaccine or medical records you received. If your new pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, has low energy, or has a loss of appetite, call a veterinarian right away and mention the recent adoption.
What to Do If You See a Stray Animal with Symptoms
If you see a stray dog or cat with severe vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or signs of illness, do not try to handle the animal unless you can do so safely.
Keep your pets away from the animal and any feces in the area. Contact local animal control, a shelter, a rescue organization, or a veterinarian for guidance. If your pet has come into contact with a sick stray animal or a contaminated area, call your veterinarian.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
*This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always contact a veterinarian with questions about your pet’s health or if you suspect illness. Recommendations may vary based on your pet’s individual needs and location.
