13 Important Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Canine Parvovirus

1. 80% of dogs that are infected by Parvovirus that are not treated die in four or five days - with the older 2a and 2b strains of the virus.

2. With the current 2c strain, even fully-vaccinated adult dogs, as well as puppies, are being infected by and dying from the Canine Parvovirus.

3. For reasons nobody yet understands, some breeds, such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Black & Tan Coonhounds and Doberman Pinschers are more susceptible to the Canine Parvovirus.

4. The four worst states for Parvo outbreaks are California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, although every state in the US, including Hawaii and even Alaska, and especially the southern states, are being affected.

5. The Canine Parvo virus is incredibly persistent, can live in the ground for up to twenty years and can survive extremes of temperature, including snow and desert climates.

6. If you take your dogs to the vet's for treatment, it could cost you anywhere from $500 to over $6,000 per dog.

7. Most vets will only give your dog a 50% - 80% chance of surviving the Canine Parvovirus, in spite of their expensive treatments.

8. It is now believed that the latest 2c strain may be airborne, even though the Canine Parvo virus has historically been transmitted through contact with infected vomit and feces.

9. It has always been suspected that Canine Parvovirus evolved from a similar feline virus, cat fever (aka feline distemper), so it is ironic that cats can now be infected by the latest 2c strain of Parvo.

10. The latest 2c strain of the Canine Parvo virus can kill your dog within one day of symptoms first appearing, with some dogs dying in only six hours.

11. The Canine Parvo virus can incubate for anywhere from three days to 15 days, although five to seven days is the average. This means that your dog could be sick for up to two weeks and you would not even know it, as there would be no visible symptoms. However during this time, the virus is building up its attack force, ready to cause massive damage to your dog's body.

12. Ironically, administering a Parvo virus vaccine, especially the very first shot, can actually increase the chance of your puppy contracting this virus. This is because the maternal antibodies in the puppy's body can kill off the modified live virus contained in the vaccine, but as vaccinations work in part by lowering the body's natural immune system, this actually opens up the puppy to infection by the full, live virus (not to mention other infections as well).

13. Some breeds of dogs, especially Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, appear to be at a lower risk of contracting the Canine Parvo virus, although this does not mean that they will not be infected.

We specialize in products such as our Parvaid Gold Value Packs that are designed to treat Parvo, but we also offer a wide variety of other safe, herbal, chemical-free products to treat Kennel Cough, Canine Heartworms, Feline Distemper and many other every-day pet ailments.