Health

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) causes severe gastrointestinal disease in puppies and unvaccinated dogs, with high mortality if untreated. The virus is highly contagious, environmentally persistent (remaining infectious in contaminated areas for months to a year), and resistant to most disinfectants. The vaccine — included in core puppy vaccination protocols — is highly effective when the full series is completed, with maternal-antibody interference handled through repeated boosters at 6-8, 10-12, and 14-16 weeks of age. With aggressive hospitalised supportive care, survival rates of 70-90% are reasonable; without aggressive care, mortality is considerably higher. Outpatient protocols exist for cost-constrained situations with somewhat lower survival rates. The article walks through the vaccine schedule, the clinical course, the treatment landscape, and environmental management.