Parvovirus, or Parvo, is a viral disease that affects dogs of all ages, but most commonly puppies. Parvo can have serious consequences for a dog, including death. Parvovirus grows rapidly in a dog's intestines, attacking and killing the rapidly dividing cells that live there. As the virus kills these cells, the dog will experience crippling diarrhea and the production of white blood cells will be greatly slowed or stopped altogether. In young puppies, Parvo can affect the heart as well and lead to rapid death.

The symptoms of Parvovirus begin with lethargy, depression, and fever. The dog will loose its appetite and will progress fairly quickly to vomiting and diarrhea. Once the infection reaches the stage of causing vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration and death usually follow. Parvo is transmitted and carried by dogs. The feces and vomit of an infected animal will carry the virus. The virus itself is quite adaptable and resilient, sometimes surviving outside the infected dog's body for up to nine months. Occasionally, and adult dog can carry the Parvovirus and show no signs of illness, but instead acting as a vessel to infect all other dogs it comes into contact with.

There is no known cure for Parvo. Dogs that become infected will die quickly of dehydration if not treated immediately. The treatment of Parvo consists of transfusions and repeated hydration by giving intravenous fluids. With prompt treatment, the mortality rate of dogs infected with Parvo is about 20 percent. Without treatment, approximately 80 percent of dogs infected with the virus will die. Parvovirus is a very serious disease that has grim consequences. Although dogs of any breed can be infected, dogs with black and tan coloring seem to be the most prone to infection. All dogs should be vaccinated for Parvo starting at 6 weeks of age and continuing until 20 weeks of age. The proper immunization is the best way to prevent your dog from becoming infected with Parvovirus.