Deadly canine parvovirus on the rise for the second year in a row…  Parvovirus is a devastating, life threatening disease, which is frustrating and difficult to treat.  Canine parvovirus causes acute, highly contagious intestinal inflammation leading to bloody diarrhea and vomiting; it can be fatal in as little as 3-5 days.   It is transmitted through fecal contact; the number one source of infection is sick dogs.  During a dog's illness and for about two weeks after, it will shed over 1 billion viral particles per gram of feces.  The duration of the illness varies, depending on the dog. The virus is very hardy, and can survive cold, heat, rain, snow and remain infectious for months in the environment.  Most frequently parvovirus is a disease of puppies that have not been vaccinated or who have not been vaccinated according to a proper schedule.   Most vaccinated mature dogs are not susceptible to the infection.  Prevention is accomplished through vaccination according to an appropriate schedule. Unvaccinated dogs need a series of three vaccinations repeated four weeks apart. For adult dogs who have completed the original vaccination series, a single booster vaccine should be protective.  Please contact us at 508-992-0202 for more information.