Parvo and Monoclonal Treatments for Puppies

Canine parvovirus (CPV), aka Parvo, is a diagnosis no puppy owner wants to hear, as the virus proves fatal in over 90% of untreated cases.* But the recent development of a monoclonal antibody seeks to defend puppies from succumbing to parvo. Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody (CPMA) sounds promising and we’ll dig into this more in just a bit. But first, let’s explore the signs and symptoms of parvo, and what you can do to protect your pup from contracting parvovirus. 

WHAT IS PARVO AND HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED? 

First, the bare bones: parvovirus is a virus that’s contracted primarily by puppies, usually ones that are unvaccinated and under 4 months old. Even a puppy whose vaccine series has been started but not yet completed can contract parvo. As this disease is almost always fatal, it’s crucial to complete the parvovirus vaccine series for your puppy; the initial parvo vaccination series is usually given in three shots to puppies between 6–8 weeks old, 10–12 weeks old, and 14–16 weeks old.

Parvo is highly contagious. The virus is transmitted through the fecal/oral route. Yep, your dog can contract this deadly virus from poop. Puppies are curious animals and snorting or ingesting another dog’s poop can result in parvo infection. Additionally, a contaminated surface, like a dog cage, leash, or a food bowl can also spread the virus. Once contracted, parvo attacks the bone marrow, lowering the pup’s protective white blood cell count. Parvo also attacks and breaks down the lining of the stomach and intestines. If bacteria that normally lives in the intestinal tract is released into the bloodstream, it can cause septicemia, which increases the risk of fatality. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PARVO?

So, you might be wondering how do I know if my puppy has parvo? At VEG for pets, we’ve seen our share of cases. There are quite a few telltale signs and symptoms: 

• Diarrhea & vomiting – dehydration may follow from loss of fluids  
• Fever – this is a common development as the dog fights the infection
• Lethargy – if your usually energetic puppy looks overly tired, it’s a good indication that something is wrong and needs immediate veterinary attention
• Loss of appetite – your regularly hungry hound is turning his nose up at the food dish and even turns away treats

WHICH DOGS CAN GET PARVO?

Christen Fout, DVM and Medical Director at VEG Dublin explains that any dog can contract parvo. It doesn’t matter where the dog is born and bred, as she’s seen puppy breeders of purebred puppies contract parvo. Dr. Fout warns, “Parvo doesn’t discriminate. I’m an ER doctor and my own puppy got parvo.” 

That said, all is not lost. Here are some parvo preventative measures that Dr. Fout suggests: 

• It may be obvious, but worth listing first: the best prevention for parvo is through a complete vaccination series
• Avoid being around other dogs that may be sick, especially if they’re unvaccinated
• Limit contact with dogs unvaccinated for parvo
• If the dog park is a routine for you and your pup, it’s best to limit visits to minimize possibility of contact if your pet’s vaccination series has not been started or is incomplete

In addition, you can track reported parvo cases in your area here. 

HOW DOES THE CANINE PARVOVIRUS MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY WORK?

Up until Fall 2023, there were no treatments targeted specifically at canine parvovirus. But since then, Elanco Animal Health Incorporated has released the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets parvovirus. Well, hot diggety! It’s been a long time coming. And the buzz from the manufacturer is optimistic: according to Elanco, “With one intravenous dose, CPMA may shorten the course of the disease and improve outcomes.” 

Here’s how CPMA works: the targeted monoclonal antibodies seek to attach to the virus. Once attached, the antibodies block the virus from entering the host cells, that is, the dog’s system where it would do its damage. It’s important to note that CPMA is relatively new at this time, so longevity of parvo protection is still being studied. There are few clinical studies involving use of CPMA; Dr. Fout believes that a dog “likely has a better shot at recovering” with CPMA than without it. 

HOW DOES AN EMERGENCY VETERINARIAN TREAT PARVO?

If caught in time, parvo can be curable. Treatment at an emergency hospital like VEG is essential. Treatment may include:

• Isolation to avoid spread of parvo to other dogs
• Fluids to combat dehydration and balance electrolytes 
• Antibiotics to help with secondary bacteria
• Medications to control diarrhea and vomiting

Expect 3-5 days of hospitalization, though every case is different and a puppy may require up to 7 days as an in-patient. It may be possible to manage parvo with a puppy as an outpatient, but it will require daily visits to their VEG animal hospital for ongoing treatment and testing. 

A good result is that once your dog is infected with parvo, he or she will have the antibodies in their system. Says Dr. Fout, “I’ve never seen a dog get parvo twice as they develop immunity.” 

CALL A VEG VETERINARIAN IF YOU SUSPECT PARVO

If your puppy is showing signs of parvo, early intervention is imperative. Our emergency veterinarians are on staff 24 hours a day, even on weekends and holidays. As always, speak with a VEG veterinarian if you have questions about parvo or the monoclonal antibody. Ultimately, the decision to seek care for your dog is yours, but VEG is always here for you and your puppy. 

*Venn EC Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 2017 52 (v1.0).