Vet says recent rain has brought more parvo cases, urges vaccines for pups

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Protecting your pups from parvo is pertinent after the recent storms that have come through the state. KFOR spoke to one local vet who explains why parvo is more prevalent when it rains.

"The rain brings the virus up from further down levels of the soil up to the surface and exposes our unvaccinated dogs,” Dr. Andrea Stevens with the Portland Veterinary Clinic said.

Stevens said it only takes about 1 to 2 weeks for more cases to hit their clinic after some rain.

"We've definitely seen more parvo,” she said.

A puppy that was in her clinic recently is only 11 to 12 weeks old. The owner had her for two days before realizing she had parvo.

"Dogs that aren't treated for parvovirus, the fatality rate can reach 90%,” Stevens said.

Luckily, for this one, that’s not the case. She was treated and is doing OK now. Stevens said the virus thrives in the feces of infected dogs, hence it getting into the soil. However, it isn’t just outside.

"Parvovirus is spread through shoes, food and water bowls, your hands, contaminated clothing,” Stevens said.

The virus attacks their intestinal lining. So, if your pup isn’t so playful watch out for some tell tale signs.

"Lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhea and oftentimes the diarrhea is very bloody,” Stevens said

Remember, it is treatable with supportive care like IV’s and fluids. It’s never curable though. The best prevention for your pup is a vaccine.

"We like to vaccinate puppies when they're about six weeks old and every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 or 18 weeks,” Stevens said. "They're less likely to pick up parvovirus. Even if they do, it's not going to be quite as bad."

Some breeds are more susceptible to the virus like German Shepherds and Rottweilers. Stevens said if you have multiple pets and one gets parvo, you need to quarantine the sick one. She said you can never “disinfect” the virus from being outside, but you can see a vet for the best way to get it off clothes or anything like that. She also said cats can get their own kind of parvovirus called Feline panleukopenia or feline distemper.