Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Parvovirus Prevention and Puppy Welfare

Canine parvovirus remains a major killer of unvaccinated puppies worldwide, causing preventable suffering.

Key Facts

Parvovirus attacks the intestinal lining and immune cells of affected dogs
Unvaccinated puppies have mortality rates of 50-90% without treatment
The virus survives in the environment for months to years
Vaccination beginning at 6-8 weeks provides highly effective protection
Outbreaks continue in areas with low vaccination coverage or stray dog populations

Welfare Considerations

Parvovirus causes extreme suffering - vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, pain and collapse. It is entirely preventable through vaccination yet continues to kill thousands of puppies annually. Ensuring vaccination coverage protects individual animals and prevents community outbreaks.

What You Can Do

Vaccinate puppies on schedule starting at 6-8 weeks of age
Avoid high-risk environments until puppies have completed their primary vaccination course
Support stray dog vaccination programmes in areas with parvovirus outbreaks