Canine parvovirus causes severe, painful, and often fatal gastroenteritis in unvaccinated dogs, and comprehensive vaccination programs represent one of the most effective welfare interventions available for companion dog populations.
Parvovirus causes some of the most severe suffering associated with any infectious disease in domestic dogs: hemorrhagic diarrhea, profound dehydration, septic shock, and a painful death in many untreated cases. Every case of parvovirus in an unvaccinated dog represents a preventable welfare tragedy, as safe and effective vaccines have existed for decades. Welfare-centered companion animal ownership requires keeping vaccination current, and community-level welfare requires ensuring access to affordable vaccination for dogs in lower-income households and communities where vaccination coverage may be inadequate.