Canine parvovirus remains a significant welfare threat despite effective vaccines. Treatment of clinical cases requires intensive supportive care, and new antiviral treatments are improving survival rates.
Parvovirus causes intense suffering through severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and pain, with rapid dehydration and immune depression. Intensive hospital care dramatically reduces mortality but cannot eliminate all suffering. Prevention through complete vaccination is far preferable to treatment. Access to intensive care is an equity issue as intensive hospitalisation costs prevent some owners from accessing potentially life-saving treatment.