Parvo and Other Contagious Diseases

What to do

1. Call your vet right away if your puppy has any of these signs, and keep it away from other dogs. Parvo can be deadly without fast treatment.
2. Keep up with your puppy's vaccines. Until they're done, keep it away from places where lots of dogs go.
3. Parvo can travel on people, shoes and clothes, so wash your hands after touching other dogs and leave outdoor shoes at the door.
4. If parvo has been in your home, clean up all mess first, then disinfect with regular household bleach mixed with about 30 parts water and nothing else.
5. Soak bowls and toys in the bleach mix for 10 minutes, then rinse well. Use it on hard surfaces and shoe soles too, and throw away things you can't disinfect.
6. Vet-grade disinfectants made with accelerated hydrogen peroxide or potassium peroxymonosulfate also work. Ask your vet which to use.
7. Keep your puppy away from puddles and still water, which can carry leptospirosis from infected urine.

When to call your vet

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, especially if bloody
• Very low energy or weakness
• Not eating
• A honking cough or fast breathing
• Runny eyes or nose, or a fever
• Drinking much more than usual
• Seizures, weak legs or wobbling

Why

These infections spread through poop, vomit, urine, saliva and coughs, and on bowls, toys, shoes and people. Parvo can last for months around the home, and many common disinfectants don't reliably kill it.